Chapter 12 - Medical, benevolent and social associations
- This chapter gives details of some of the medical and benevolent association schemes that may help staff in times of difficulties, as well as insurance, investment and social associations. Membership to the schemes can normally be deducted from pay, free of charge.
- Further details may be obtained from the organisations. Alternatively, limited information may be obtained from Counselling and Support Service at CPS Headquarters on 020 7796 8345.
- The Civil Service Benevolent Fund was established in 1886 to assist widows and orphans of civil servants. It is now the principal civil service charity and makes nearly 3 million worth of grants and allowances to over 7,000 people each year.
- The Fund receives a government grant towards administration costs, but the help it gives is dependent upon the voluntary contributions of serving and retired civil servants. CSBF relies upon volunteers for much of its work, including fund raising, promotion and visits to applicants. Applications to join the CSBF are available from the address below. It is helpful if staff also sign a deed of covenant, which allows CSBF to recover the basic rate of income tax on subscriptions from the Inland Revenue.
- The financial assistance is offered to serving, ex and retired civil servants and their dependants when the unexpected happens. This may be when a civil servant dies, is on extended sick leave without full pay, has retired early due to illness or a number of other situations. Financial help is given in the form of grants, repayable grants, and regular allowances towards registered childcare costs, community support services or residential and nursing home fees.
- The Fund has recently taken the decision, agreed by a large majority through its Council, to appropriately dispose of its Nursing Homes, and to establish alternative arrangements for this care. The sale will enable the Fund to develop a wider range of services and will allow more varied and effective help to be given to the large number of people eligible to receive assistance.
- A freephone telephone number has been introduced to provide easy access to the Fund. Callers enquiring about help, offering to contribute or volunteering to help will receive a prompt personal response. The freephone number is available every working day throughout office hours.
- Further information can be obtained from:
- Crown Housing Association is a voluntary, charitable organisation registered with The Housing Corporation. It seeks to provide accommodation for those who are working in the public sector for whom suitable housing is not available elsewhere. The Association manages the rental of several properties in South London (suitable for families) and owns sheltered and general needs housing (for single persons or couples) in London, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
- Further information can be obtained from:
- The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship is a registered charity which aims to keep in touch with retired civil servants who are lonely, distressed or facing hardship. All retired civil servants, their spouses, partners and dependants automatically become beneficiaries of the Fellowship.
- The Fellowship was founded in 1965 - local groups and members subscribe. Annually, volunteers visit retired civil servants in their homes, nursing homes or hospitals. The CSRF also co-ordinates local newsletters and plans social activities.
- Besides financial support, the Fellowship is also in need of volunteers to help carry out its aims.
- Further information can be obtained from:
- The Benenden Healthcare Society is a non-profit making Friendly Society which offers healthcare to complement the NHS. It changed its name from the Post Office and Civil Service Sanatorium Society to better reflect its modern approach to healthcare. Benenden's mutual healthcare plan for CPS employees and their families is an alternative to expensive private medical insurance.
- Should you fall ill, membership in the organization offers prompt appointments to see local consultants. Membership includes access to surgical and other treatments for a wide variety of ailments.
- Another significant focus of the organisation is cancer care, including post hospital care, home nursing or help and financial support for sufferers. There is also bed and breakfast accommodation available at Benenden Hospital for family and friends of patients.
- Benenden does not exclude those with a previous medical history, and contributions do not increase with age. Individuals must, however, be under 65 years of age at the time of application.
- Further information may be obtained from Area Personnel offices, Equal Opportunities Unit for HQ and Central Casework staff or:
- As a not-for-profit Friendly Society, CS Healthcare provides health insurance for civil servants, employees in the public sector and privatised industries, and their immediate families. Former employees can also benefit.
- Established by civil servants, CS Healthcare has been in operation for almost 76 years. The Society seeks to provide value for money, and with no shareholders to pay dividends to, it uses its reserves to benefit members.
- There is a choice of plans to meet your specific needs. The plans do not require a medical.
- Further information may be obtained from:
- BUPACare is a specialist health care company which offers private medical insurance. It is a Provident Association and reinvests all of its surplus revenue into BUPA facilities. BUPA has been in operation since 1947.
- Some of the benefits that BUPACare offers include:
- Full cover for hospital charges for private in-patient or day-case treatment, including tests
- Full cover for specialists' fees for in-patient or day-case treatment and for out-patient consultations
- Full cover for MRI and CT scans
- Full cover for oncology, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy
- Therapies including physiotherapy and complementary medicine
- Transport by private ambulance
- Post-discharge nursing following in-patient or day-case treatment
- Cash benefit for NHS treatment
- BUPA offers several different levels of care to suit individual needs and budgets and offers a 45% discount on BUPACare to civil servants.
- Further information may be obtained from:
- HSA Health Care pays cash benefits to members for 20 different types of health care such as visits to a dentist, optician or physiotherapist. It does not provide private medical insurance, but instead aims to contribute towards costs associated with health care.
- Additional benefits include several telephone helplines to answer medical, legal, emergency household repair or lifestyle queries.
- There are several different levels of cover to suit your needs and budget. All levels cover both the contributor and their dependents.
- Further information may be obtained from:
- Westfield Contributory Health Scheme is a cash benefit health scheme. It makes cash payments to contributors for many different health care problems. The scheme has been operating for 83 years and has approximately 300,000 contributors.
- Westfield has different schemes available to suit your budget.
- Further information may be obtained from:
- The Hospital Saturday Fund is a similar organisation to the HSA. There are various benefits available.
- Further information may be obtained from:
- ForesterHealth offers a physiotherapy cash plan. Although this is its main focus, ForesterHealth offers members many additional advantages.
- Physiotherapy is an alternative treatment, in contrast to traditional drug therapy, which uses natural methods such as manipulation and exercise to heal. It is a safe and effective treatment for a wide variety of afflictions including back pain, strains, sprains, fractures, arthritis, asthma, and migraines. Techniques used in physiotherapy include massage, mobilisation, manipulation, traction and remedial exercises. A physiotherapist might also offer advice on movement and posture.
- Membership in ForesterHealth offers many benefits, after an initial three month waiting period. Members and their dependents living with them are entitled to 32 physiotherapy treatments per year and may choose from any chartered and state registered physiotherapists. Membership also includes a Home Call helpline (offering assistance in case of a household emergency), a legal advice helpline, and also the quarterly magazine "Forester Lifetime".
- Further information may be obtained from:
- The Civil Service Insurance Society offers home and contents, travel and motor insurance. It does not retain any profits made, but distributes them to civil and public service charities. CSIS promises quality service, and has over 100 years experience.
- CSIS insurance packages are negotiated with Royal & Sun Alliance and are tailored for civil servants. Some additional benefits available include:
- Monthly premiums at no extra charge
- Free green card cover in Europe
- Courtesy car when yours is being repaired
- 24 hour legal and domestic helplines
- Various special discounts
- CSIS also offers a range of tax-exempt savings plans.
- Further information can be obtained from:
- POIS Assurance Ltd is a Friendly Society offering a range of savings, investment and protection plans. It was originally set up in 1878 to provide life and endowment assurance to post office employees, but services are now available to all civil servants and their families. It has more than 90,000 members.
- POIS Assurance is a 'mutual' company, and does not have any shareholders. This means that for with-profit policyholders, the profits made are shared with members. All members benefit from competitive premiums. Friendly Society status also means special tax concessions, granted by Inland Revenue, which are passed on directly to members. POIS Assurance aims to keep members' money working for them, whether it is through regular savings, investment of a lump sum, or taking care of the financial needs of dependants through life insurance.
- POIS offers the following products:
- Endowment Assurances
- Children's Policies
- 'Moneybox' Investment Plan
- Family Income Benefit
- Whole Life Assurance
- Homeplus Plan
- Mortgage Protection
- Term Assurance
- Unit Trust Investment Plan
- Further information can be obtained from:
- The UK Civil Service Benefit Society (UK CSBS) offers financial and insurance services. The society was established in 1875 and has over 43,000 members. It is a registered Friendly Society.
- Services available from UK CSBS include financial planning, and savings, investment and insurance plans.
- Further information can be obtained from:
- Now known as CSSC Sports and Leisure, the Civil Service Sports Council was originally established to arrange interdepartmental competitions. It has evolved into the largest UK corporate sports and leisure provider.
- CSSC caters for everyone from the 'fun' sportsperson to the elite, offering 59 sports at a local, regional or national level. Many events take place at CSSC's 44 sportsgrounds around the UK. These grounds have social facilities, as well as providing for a variety of sports from football to skittles or sailing to bowls.
- Leisure is also taken very seriously at CSSC - with social events such as murder mystery weekends, multi-activity weekends and quiz nights. For more cerebral amusement, CSSC offers drama, chess and bridge.
- Individual fitness is becoming increasingly popular. To cater for this growing trend, CSSC has established more than 190 fitness centres in workplaces around the UK. It offers a self finance scheme - all that is needed is sufficient office space along with changing facilities and showers.
- Special leisure benefits are constantly being developed on behalf of members and their families, such as discounts to themed attractions, free entrance to National Trust properties, discounted weekend breaks and much more. On a local level, there are discounted entrance charges for cinemas, theatres and health and leisure clubs. Whether you want to learn to play a new sport, develop an existing interest or just have fun, CSSC can give you that opportunity.
- Information on special leave for civil service sporting activities can be found in the Special Leave chapter of the Personnel Management Manual (Chapter 2 of this volume).
- Further information may be obtained from:
- The Civil Service Riding Club is a non-profit making organisation. It was founded in 1937 and has become one of the oldest and largest riding clubs in the country. The horses are stabled in the Royal Mews in London.
- The CSRC offers indoor and outdoor manege classes for all grades of riding, competitions, and courses for British Horse Society tests. They also coordinate hacks in Hyde Park and at other locations outside London. The CSRC offers volunteer opportunities to work with the horses and to gain stable management experience. Members also engage in other social activities.
- Although there are some membership categories for individuals who are not civil servants, civil servants who wish to join (at more attractive rates) must also be a member of CSSC Sports and Leisure. The Riding Club holds an open evening usually once a month for prospective members who would like to visit the club before making a decision on joining.
- Further information can be obtained from:
- The Civil Service Club provides restaurant, bar, bedroom and lounge facilities for Civil Servants working in or visiting London. The Club also caters for private functions such as parties, conferences and meetings. Located near to Charing Cross, the Club offers convenient accommodation at competitive prices.
- Members pay a small annual subscription, and may then use the facilities for a reasonable price at any time throughout the year. Reduced rates are also in effect on the weekends.
- Further information can be obtained from:
- The Civil Service Motoring Association is the UK's largest private home, leisure and motoring association. It is non-profit making and has been in operation since 1923.
- CSMA offers a wide range of benefits. These include:
- Britannia Rescue road rescue service at rates up to 50% cheaper than competitors
- Discounts from 10-18% on domestic electrical goods
- CSMA Motor and Household insurance at special rates
- Best Choice new and used care purchasing scheme
- Holiday discounts at any branch of Going Places
- Travel insurance at home and abroad
- Motoring and Leisure magazine free 10 times a year
- Credit cards at competitive APRs and Plus Points with every purchase
- Special arrangements with Frizzell Banking and Financial Services
- Access to 2 CSMA country hotels and 2 leisure parks at exclusive rates
- Further information can be obtained from:
- The active promotion and organisation of clubs are a matter for staff themselves. Generally, the following applies:
- line managers should encourage volunteers to help with clubs and societies provided their activities do not interfere with official duties
- official rooms can be used by clubs and societies, subject to line management and accommodation officer approval
- the use of official stationery is not permitted
- staff clubs will normally elect their own officials
- holiday saving schemes are allowed but loan clubs or other credit giving schemes are not allowed on official premises
- if turnover is more than £7500 a year, accounts and other documents should be kept for 7 years, otherwise the normal period is 3 years
Introduction
Benevolent funds
Civil Service Benevolent Fund
Fund House
5 Anne Boleyn's Walk
Cheam, Sutton
Surrey
SM3 8DY
0800 056 2424 Freephone
020 8240 2452 Help and Advisory Services
020 8240 2451 Membership
020 8240 2400 Central Administration
Crown Housing Association Ltd
8 Cheam Court
Station Way
Cheam, Sutton
Surrey
SM3 8SP
020 8642 2212
The Civil Service Retirement Fellowship (CSRF)
1b Deals Gateway
Blackheath Road
London
SE10 8BW
020 8691 7411
Medical aid associations
The Benenden Healthcare Society (formerly the Post Office and Civil Service Sanatorium Society)
Holgate Park Drive
York
North Yorkshire
YO26 4GG
0870 7545 731
CS Healthcare (formerly the Civil Service Medical Aid Association)
Princess House
Horace Road
Kingston upon Thames
Surrey KT1 2SL
Internet: www.cshealthcare.co.uk. Apply on line and the first month subscription is free.
Freephone - 0800 917 4325
Membership - 020 8410 0400
BUPACare
BUPA
BUPA House
15-19 Bloomsbury Way
London
WC1A 2BA
Freephone 0800 0010 10
HSA Health Care (Hospital Savings Association)
Hambleden House
Andover
Hampshire
SP10 1LQ
08702 425 454
Westfield Contributory Health Scheme
Westfield House
57 Division Street
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
S1 1HT
0114 250 2000
Hospital Saturday Fund
24 Upper Ground
London
SE1 9PD
020 7928 6662
Forester Health (formerly Nationwide Physiotherapy Service)
Forester Health
Forester House
Cromwell Avenue
Bromley
Kent
BR2 9BF
Freephone - 0800 073 0303
Insurance and investment societies
Civil Service Insurance Society Ltd (CSIS)
7 Colman House
King Street
Maidstone
Kent
ME14 1DD
0845 6077 444
POIS Assurance Ltd
Cover House
Hazelwick Avenue
Three Bridges
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 1PZ
01923 565 600
UK Civil Service Benefit Society (UKCSBS)
UK CSBS
Freepost
Twickenham
TW1 1BR
0800 458 7664
Social associations
CSSC Sports and Leisure
CSSC Sports & Leisure
7/8 Buckingham Place
Bellfield Road
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP13 5HW
email: csscheadoffice@cssc.co.uk
01494 888444
Civil Service Riding Club (CSRC)
CSRC Committee
C/O 26 Broome Close
Horsham
West Sussex
RH12 5XG
01403 243 976
Civil Service Club
13/15 Great Scotland Yard
London
SW1A 2HN
020 7930 4881
Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA)
Britannia House
21 Station Street
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1 4DE
01273 744 721
Other social and staff clubs
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