The Trustees of CISWO are also the Trustees of CIBT which provides financial assistance primarily to widows of mineworkers who have died as a consequence of an industrial accident or disease (Pneumoconiosis) and also to mineworkers and their dependants who may be experiencing severe financial hardship.  CIBT has consistently paid benefit to those suffering hardship in excess of £1 million per annum.

The Coal Industry Benevolent Trust was established in 1976 as a partnership between the National Coal Board and the principal Mining Unions.

PURPOSE

The Trust has the overall objective of providing for the relief of hardship but in particular at its inception, it was agreed that it should work to remove the anomalies which had existed in the treatment of families of those mineworkers killed in collective accidents and individual accidents.  The families had been left with very differing circumstances as collective accidents attracted the sympathy and generosity of a wider public.

FUNDS

The Trust began with CISWO making a grant of £75,000 to the general fund of the Trust and in addition made available a sum of £95,592 (being the net proceeds of sale of a former office building) in order to establish an endowment fund. Grants were also received from the NUM and the NCB.  In addition to these capital sums, the principal mining unions agreed to support a levy of 1p per week from the wages of their members with effect from 1st January 1976.  These donations were covenanted in order to obtain the benefit of repayment of Income Tax. 

With the benefit of regular covenanted income further expansion of the Trust was made to include death on colliery premises, hospital benefits and general hardship. 

For the future, the challenge is for the Coal Industry Benevolent Trust to remain relevant and focused on those most in need in coalfield communities.

Where does CISWO fit in with CIBT?  

CISWO is a national charity which provides comprehensive support to individuals and communities with links to the mining industry. CISWO employs Social Workers and Assistant Social Workers, based at each of the local offices, to provide confidential advice and support on a wide range of issues to those living in coalfield communities.

In addition the CISWO Social Workers and Assistant Social Workers assist and advise in the completion of applications to CIBT. CISWO staff at HQ, Whiston, administer the day to day running of CIBT and in arranging for grant applications to be processed.

How do I apply? 

By contacting either a member of the CISWO Social Work Staff at your local CISWO office or CIBT direct at Whiston.  A home visit will be arranged by a member of the CISWO Social Work Team to advise and assist in the completion of an application form if appropriate.

What happens next?  

The application will be submitted for consideration to CIBT and individuals will be notified in writing once a decision has been reached.  If successful, grants will be paid direct to individuals who have applied for assistance under categories 1 to 3.  In the case of category 4 applications, (relief of financial hardship), grants will normally be paid direct to the relevant agency involved.