The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Care Company (RMBI Care Co.) cares for older Freemasons and their families as well as people in the wider community. Founded in 1842 by Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex, they now provide a home for over 1,000 people across England and Wales, while also providing non-residential support services.
The organisation's Head Office is based in Freemasonsâ Hall in Great Queen Street along with the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution Care Company started when United Grand Lodge of England inaugurated the Royal Masonic Benevolent Annuity Fund for men in 1842 and the Female Annuity Fund in 1849. The following year, 1850, the first Home was opened in East Croydon named the "Asylum for Worthy, Aged and Decayed Freemasons", and The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI) was established. The Home remained in Croydon for over 100 years until 1955, when, due to the need for bigger premises, the Home was transferred to Harewood Court in Hove, East Sussex.
In the early 1960s, provision was extended to non-annuitants and, between 1960 and 1985, a further 14 Homes were set up or acquired around England and Wales. Four more Homes have been opened since then bringing the number of Homes run by RMBI Care Co. to 18.
1966 Devonshire Court, Oadby, Leicestershire <br /> 1967 Scarbrough Court, Cramlington, Northumberland <br /> 1968 Prince George Duke of Kent Court, Chislehurst, Kent <br /> 1971 Connaught Court, Fulford, York <br /> 1973 Lord Harris Court, Sindlesham, Berkshire <br /> 1973 Albert Edward Prince of Wales Court, Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan <br /> 1977 Ecclesholme, Eccles, Salford <br /> 1977 The Tithebarn, Great Crosby, Liverpool <br /> 1979 Queen Elizabeth Court, Llandudno, Conwy <br /> 1980 James Terry Court, Croydon, Surrey <br /> 1981 Cornwallis Court, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk <br /> 1983 Zetland Court, Bournemouth, Dorset <br /> 1985 Cadogan Court, Exeter, South Devon <br /> 1994 Prince Michael of Kent Court, Watford, Hertfordshire <br /> 1995 Shannon Court, Hindhead, Surrey <br /> 1996 Barford Court, Hove, East Sussex <br /> 1998 Prince Edward Duke of Kent Court, Braintree, Essex <br /> 2008 Scarbrough Court, Cramlington, Northumberland (re-built on the original site)