A Lifeline in Difficult Times

16 May, 2025

First published in the May 2025 issue of Quarry Management

How IQ’s Benevolent Fund continues to support members, past and present

Established in 1925, after an eight-year campaign led by the Association of Quarry Managers in Caernarfon, North Wales, the Institute of Quarrying Benevolent Fund (IQBF) was created to support current and former members of the Institute of Quarrying and their families during times of hardship and need.

Now in its centenary year, the IQBF continues to evolve and step in for IQ members, past and present, who need support. Whether it is illness, disability, bereavement, or sudden financial stress, the IQBF offers a range of practical and financial support.

The effects of ill health and injury in the UK

The life events that can lead to individuals needing IQBF assistance are multifaceted and overlapping, including illness, with mental health playing a particularly dominant role, as well as injury and bereavement. The work of IQBF therefore addresses co-occurring conditions, not just individual diagnoses.

Understanding our members’ needs

IQBF support begins by gaining an understanding of the specific circumstances of individual members.

IQBF welfare officer Wanda Zablocki explains: ‘The more I get to know people, the more they feel able to tell me about situations they are struggling with. It allows me to be of more assistance to them. One of the issues we come up against is people’s perception of what the fund is all about, not just in terms of widespread support, but who can access it. People assume that it is only there for people who have significant ill health and cannot work or do not have a big enough work pension or need end-of-life care. But what we offer is so much wider than that.’

The application process is simple and confidential, as Wanda explains: ‘If someone is interested in applying to the fund for financial assistance, I would have an initial conversation to find out what the specifics of their circumstances are and what help they require. If they potentially meet our criteria, I will send out the application form which asks for specifics of their situation. This is then reviewed and if the criteria are met, the application will be circulated to our board of trustees for a decision to be made. The only criteria are that you have to be a past or present IQ member, or a dependent of one.’

Making a difference

There are several ways in which the IQBF can assist members:

Financial assistance: The IQBF provides non-taxable gifts to members or their dependents whose income falls below certain thresholds. This support aims to alleviate financial strain during difficult periods.
Welfare support: Beyond financial aid, the fund offers regular check-ins through phone calls or emails to combat isolation, especially among retired members. Initiatives like virtual coffee mornings have been introduced to foster community and support mental well-being during lockdowns.
Emergency assistance: In response to exceptional circumstances, the IQBF has allocated special funds to support members affected by unexpected crisis, for example, a heating breakdown or emergency groceries.

Eligibility criteria

Assistance from the IQBF is only available to current or former members of the Institute of Quarrying and their dependents. The fund considers applications from individuals facing financial hardship due to illness, disability, or other challenging circumstances. Each case is evaluated individually, with discretion and care, to determine the appropriate level of support.

The IQBF exemplifies the Institute of Quarrying’s commitment to supporting its members beyond their professional lives, providing a safety net during personal hardships, and fostering a sense of community within the industry.

The Institute of Quarrying Benevolent Fund has a longstanding tradition of supporting members and their families during challenging times.

Governance and administration

The IQBF is overseen by a board of trustees responsible for ensuring that the fund’s resources are used effectively and in alignment with its benevolent objectives. The board includes positions such as chair, deputy, treasurer, and secretary, along with ordinary trustees and representatives from various IQ branches. The trustees meet regularly to review applications and make decisions regarding the distribution of assistance.

IQBF in action

Working with Age UK

One couple who were not in the best of health were referred to the IQBF by Age UK after a hospital stay back in 2022. They had very little income, lots of debt, and had been without hot water for more than three years. They did not have enough money for shopping. IQBF responded quickly with an emergency trolley of shopping delivered to their door, arranged for quotes for the heating difficulties, and a new boiler was fitted along with an oil tank monitor. IQBF continues to support them financially and has worked directly with Stepchange to help them with their debts. The welfare officer continues to provide ongoing support via phone calls, text messages, and home visits.

Income support for pensioners

A couple contacted the IQBF asking for ongoing support as their pensions had not worked out for them and they were struggling. They had a large property but very little income to survive on. After the assessment, we were able to support them financially for several years until the member passed away. After his passing, his widow applied to the fund as a dependent of a member and we now continue to support her financially and with regular contact as she was left with no income, whilst also dealing with cancer treatment herself at the time. We provide ongoing financial support and regular contact from the welfare officer.

Responding to redundancy and injury

One of our members contacted us due to having been made redundant whilst in recovery from an ongoing debilitating injury, incurred through work. His mental health was also impacted. He was unable to find new employment due to being in recovery and had a young family to support. He had organized mortgage breaks but was very worried that he was not going to be able to continue to pay what he needed to. We were able to provide an emergency payment to help with current bills and grocery shopping and then continued to offer ongoing financial support. Thankfully, he is now in recovery and has been successful in gaining employment back in the industry, with IQBF still providing ongoing advice and welfare support.

Support for disability

The fund has also provided financial aid for modifications to vehicles, such as installing accessible car conversions for disabled children of members. This assistance ensures that families can maintain mobility and independence despite physical challenges.

Bereavement support

In instances of bereavement, the IQBF has helped surviving family members manage immediate financial burdens. For example, the fund has contributed towards bills and essential expenses, offering a financial cushion during emotionally and financially taxing periods.

Once a member, always a member

The IQ has 3,500 current members, but former and retired IQ members and their families are also encouraged to get in touch if they need support from IQBF.

Wanda Zablocki says: ‘Anyone contacting IQBF can be assured that their situation will be treated with discretion and care, and each case that comes forward is treated individually by an independent board of trustees.

‘Our message is simple. The Institute of Quarrying and our Benevolent Fund is here for those in need. Whether it is for some advice, a listening ear, or financial support, pick up the phone or send a text or email us and we will be more than happy to assist.’

Speaking about the IQBF, James Thorne, chief executive officer of the Institute of Quarrying, said: ‘For many, this kind of support bridges the gap between hardship and hope – something that statistics alone can never fully capture. It is one of the most important benefits that IQ membership affords.’

Get in touch

For more information or to apply for assistance, members can contact IQBF welfare officer Wanda Zablocki via email at: wanda.zablocki@quarrying.org; or by phone at: 0115 855 6500.