Submitted by george.somers@… on

Clergy Support Trust attended a Pension Board event for Diocesan Retired Clergy Officers, to encourage more retired clergy households to apply for grants and services.

The charity was invited by the Church of England Pension Board to speak at the gathering at Bishopthorpe earlier this month (March 2023), which was attended by officers from dioceses in both the northern and southern provinces of the Church.

Catherine Cashmore, Head of External Relations gave a presentation emphasising the wide range of support available to retired clergy households.

More than 40 people attended with many particularly interested to hear about the range of health grants to cover issues such as declining mobility and diagnostic tests, as well as the financial support available for things like utility bills.

In 2022, retired households benefitted from 299 grants, totalling £257,000. This need is continuing in 2023, particularly in relation to the cost-of-living.

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Catherine holding a microphone and standing in front of a TV screen to give a presentation.

This comes as the Church Times recently reported that tenants in the Church Housing Assistance for the Retired Ministry (CHARM) scheme are to see a 10.1% rent increase.

We support people like Paul, who got in touch about some urgently needed home repair work.

We needed new guttering, a new boiler and later some new double-glazed window units. On both occasions, Clergy Support Trust handled our request with great sympathy. They made the application process very straightforward.

My wife and I are very grateful and urge anyone who needs financial assistance to contact them.

If you're part of a retired or serving clergy household and have need, contact our independent, friendly team in confidence.

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