Visit to the Katherine Low Settlement
21st June 2023
One of my goals during my time as Master is to visit the charities that the Benevolent Fund supports. The Tobacco Pipe Makers and Tobacco Trade Benevolent Fund (Charity no.1135646) was formed in 2010 by merging the then existing Benevolent Fund with the Tobacco Trade Benevolent Association, first established in 1860.
One of the original functions of any Livery Company was the welfare of its members. Livery Companies were also seen as reliable bodies to act as trustees for other charitable bequests. This philanthropic tradition continues today. The Benevolent Fund is run independently by a Board of Trustees (who are typically also Company members) and its assets are managed by professional Investment Managers with specialist knowledge of investment of charitable funds.
Yesterday, I joined Benevolent Fund Trustee and Court Assistant, Susan Curran and Clerk and Secretary of the Benevolent Fund, Sandra Stocker and visited the Katherine Low Settlement (KLS). The Katherine Low Settlement is a much-loved, busy charity that has been at the heart of the community in Battersea, London, since 1924. They work to reduce poverty and isolation and bring the community together.
When we arrived it was definitely a bustling place to be and fully inclusive of the community it serves. Arriving on the day of one of their Trustee Meetings gave us an opportunity to meet one of their Trustees, who started at the KLS as a volunteer. Our host was Emily Standring, Fundraising Manager. Emma lives around the corner from the KLS. She too first became involved as a volunteer. We had an opportunity to meet the Director and Chief Executive, Aaron Barbour, and he shared with us that the KLS encompasses 5-6 percent of the surrounding community in one activity or another. I managed to briefly watch a fierce game of table tennis and was told that an adult team had formed and founded a league where they could play competitively. As a Southern girl, I am impressed that food is at the heart of their outreach. Front and Centre is a kitchen area that I am sure waffles out mouth-watering smells as it endeavours to feed the soul. On 22nd June, there will be a large community dinner where diners will contribute a dish reflecting their heritage. Hot dogs and hamburgers…..