Province of Herefordshire

Category: Service

News relating to charity and service in herefordshire and beyond

  • Herefordshire Freemasons support HWCFR with Bleed Kits to be rolled out across Herefordshire.

    Herefordshire Freemasons support HWCFR with Bleed Kits to be rolled out across Herefordshire.

    In April, we invited members of the Community First Responders (HWCFR) from across Herefordshire to the Masonic Centre in Hereford to present them with 100 ‘Bleed Kits’.  These will be placed with the existing defibrillator sites across Herefordshire and for HWCFR to use in their day to day activities.

    In a serious bleeding emergency, the first few minutes are critical. These kits give communities the tools to act fast and potentially save a life before emergency services arrive.

    Community First Responders are a group of volunteers, that are trained by the ambulance service to respond to medical and trauma emergencies within our community, whilst the ambulance is on route. 

    Herefordshire Freemasons’ Lodges have been supporting the Community First Responders at a local level for some time. This year we are increasing that support to include local initiatives, as well as larger donations, to support the wider Herefordshire community. So far this year, Herefordshire Freemasons have donated nearly £11,000 with more pledged by the end of May 2026.

    We look forward to even more exciting announcements on our support for the Community First Responders shortly.

  • Eastnor Lodge supports expansion of youth group into Ledbury

    Eastnor Lodge supports expansion of youth group into Ledbury

    Local charity launches bereavement support and new youth services.

    Eastnor Lodge and Herefordshire Freemasons have recently donated to Hope Support Services to enable their expansion into Ledbury. Originally from Ross-on-Wye, the charity supports children and young people facing family illness and bereavement. The charity is expanding its reach in Ledbury, thanks to grants from Herefordshire Community Foundation and other local sources. Recently, the charity launched youth groups for under-11s and teenagers, alongside a bereavement support group. The initiative is already attracting engagement, notably boys who can be challenging to reach in times of difficulty, with plans for additional mixed groups in the future.

    Community collaboration features strongly, as the charity partners with LEAF’s (Locally Encouraging All to Flourish) youth groups for introductory activities and prepares for a presence at the Ledbury Youth Spaces launch event. Thanks to the donation, the Wellbeing Adviser, Laura Burgess, is now delivering both group and one-to-one support in person, marking a significant step in fostering local involvement and wellbeing among young people.

    The picture shows Paul Finlay, who oversees Charitable giving at Eastnor Lodge, together with Laura Burgess of Hope Support Services.

  • Widows Lunch 2026

    Widows Lunch 2026

    Over 100 Herefordshire Freemasons and their guests attended the annual Widows’ lunch in Hereford today. 

    They were treated to a great meal and entertained afterwards by the wonderful voice of Billy Shannon. There was even had an impromptu chorus of ‘Happy Birthday’ and audience participation with singing and dancing!

    A great time was had by all.  Thanks to the Malcolm Davies, the Provincial Almoner for his organisation and members of Arrow Lodge who acted as Stewards on the day as well as an excellent meal from the catering staff.

  • Herefordshire Freemasons extend TLC to ENT

    Herefordshire Freemasons extend TLC to ENT

    Herefordshire Freemasons have been supplying TLC teddies to Hereford Hospital’s A and E department for some time.  The Teddies were recently extended for use in the ENT Medical facility in the hospital.  

    Teddies for Loving Care delivers very special bears to hospitals bringing relief and a smile to children in distress.

    The cuddly bears are used by medical staff to calm children down, reward them for being brave or to demonstrate procedures. Often the bears distract poorly children so nurses and doctors can get their jobs done quickly and efficiently.

    The TLC teddy has become an invaluable tool for medical professionals and a real comfort for children, helping to reduce the shock and distress of their experience. Every child that receives a teddy gets to take it home.

    The picture shows Jay and Abbie of the ENT Department at Hereford hospital holding one of the teddies which they have named Grommet.

    They said:

    For many of our younger patients, a visit to hospital can feel frightening. These teddies from Herefordshire Masons offer comfort and reassurance at a time when it’s needed most, helping to make their experience a little less overwhelming. These teddies are making a meaningful difference to their visit

  • Eastnor Lodge donate to Ledbury First Responders.

    Eastnor Lodge donate to Ledbury First Responders.

    Eastnor Lodge based in Ledbury recently donated to Ledbury First Responders who are a team of dedicated volunteers, that respond to medical emergencies and provide support to our community, through awareness training. 


    Part of the Hereford and Worcester Community First Responder Charity, the scheme in Ledbury has an operational area that stretches far from the town and out into the surrounding countryside parishes. 

    Community First Responders are a group of volunteers, that are trained by the ambulance service to respond to medical and trauma emergencies within their community, whilst the ambulance is on route. 

    The original reason community first responders were created, was to assist with the ambulance service response to cardiac arrest patients. This has now developed into a concise medical and traumatic trained response role. 

    The CFR team are responded within a ten-mile radius of wherever they are on call, this allows a rapid response to patients, event without the use of blue lights. The local knowledge and awareness of the road network, allows our team to navigate to patients efficiently.

    Alongside responding, the CFRs also undertake Community Education, and Fundraising for the charity. The donation from Eastnor Lodge has been used towards a Community Engagement Kit which consists of: 

    1.      Community Training Manikins Adult + AED – 

    2.      Community Training Manikins Child 

    3.      Community Training Mankins Infant 

    4.      Public Access Bleed Kit Trainer 

    5.      First aid kit

    This will enable Ledbury First Responders to provide training and support in the local community.

    The picture shows L to R Scott Kibble – Ledbury CFR, Paul Finlay – Eastnor Lodge and Fran Thomas – Ledbury CFR with some of the kit the donation supported.

    Further information can be found on the HWCFR website here https://www.hwcfr-ledbury.com/home