Hardship Fund
The BSBI Membership Hardship Fund is intended to help current members continue their association with BSBI in the event of unforeseen financial difficulty.
Members may apply to BSBI for support in funding part or all of the cost of a year's membership at their existing rate. Applications are assessed on a case by case basis.
Below is some outline guidance on eligibility for the fund, but if you would like to discuss a specific situation, or would like more information, please do contact us.
- Support is available to members from their second consecutive year of membership – i.e. following at least one full year of membership.
- Support is not available retrospectively – i.e. will not be paid as a refund of membership fees.
- The number of Hardship grants available in any year will depend on the number of applications we receive, and the funds available.
For more information or to discuss an application, please contact the Membership Team (Sarah, Louise and Gwynn) on membership@bsbi.org or you can phone us for an informal chat on +44 (0)7725 862 957.
Concessionary Membership Rates
BSBI has a number of concessionary memberships which you may be eligible for.
Student membership is available for those under the age of 25 or registered as a student (in possession of a student card).
Longstanding membership is available to members who have been with BSBI for at least 10 years, are over 65 and not in full time employment.
For more information about these rates, visit our membership page.
Fundraising for the Hardship Fund
BSBI Finance Manager Julie Etherington was determined to raise money for the new Hardship Fund so she set up a JustGiving page and ran a half marathon, which has raised in excess of £1,250 for the Fund. That's enough to help more than 30 members facing unforeseen financial difficulties. Read Julie's story here.
If you would like to donate to the Fund, or if you have an idea about how you might help with fundraising, please contact Sarah Woods for an informal discussion.
