Discretionary Healthcare Grants & Member Benefits | POIS

Member benefits
to make every day better

From practical and emotional support when you need it most, to discretionary grants to help give you a head start. We’re proud to offer you honest, everyday member benefits. We thought you’d appreciate that.

Become a member with access to our member benefits package. We are a part of Foresters Friendly Society, so you’ll also get access to discretionary financial support, practical assistance, social events, and new shopping and lifestyle discounts.

Become a Member

Jo, Newton Abbot

“I applied for the Help at Home grant as I have ME and vision problems. Receiving the grant has given me a sense of being supported and has meant that I can afford a little help at home.”

New Shopping & Lifestyle Discounts

We’re delighted to add a new string to our bow, with the addition of Foresters Plus Shopping and Lifestyle Discounts! Whether it’s your weekly grocery shop, reducing your utility bills or a weekend take-away delivered to your door, there’s discounts that could save you money.

With over 2000 brands included, savings range from shopping and lifestyle, travel and experiences, wellbeing, and so much more. Find out more here.

 

Healthcare grants

In 2025 we awarded £574,964

You don’t need anyone to tell you how much everyday healthcare can add up. It’s a filling at the dentist one week, for example, and an eye test the next. These discretionary healthcare grants can help towards the cost of every day dental and optical care.

 

Financial support for you

In 2025 we awarded £62,831

No matter how hard we try and get by, sometimes we need a little helping hand. Discretionary grants from the Foresters Support Fund are available to help members of any age through testing times. Perhaps you’re facing illness, or your house has been damaged for some reason. You don’t need to go through it alone when we’re here to help.

 

Educational awards

In 2025 we awarded £76,490

Bettering ourselves through education can cost a pretty penny. If you have children or grandchildren or are upskilling yourself, then you’ll know all about it. We can offer discretionary Educational Awards if you’re aged 16 and over and in further education, studying for a recognised qualification. We could help towards the cost of books and travel with up to £300 a year.

 

Convalescent grants

In 2025 we awarded £70,220

Recovering from an illness can be stressful and costly, both for the patient and their loves ones. These Convalescent grants could help you rest and get better. Members may be eligible for support with costs towards a stay and non-members, such as your partner or a family member, can stay with you for an additional charge. For further information about staying in a convalescent home near you, please call 0800 101 8310.

 

Financial support for children

In 2025 we awarded £107,500

The Foresters Child Support fund was set up to commemorate members who died during the First World War. Nowadays it’s there to offer financial assistance for children up to and including the age of 19.

Circumstances that would be considered for a grant include:

  • Children who have lost one or both parents
  • Children who have parents that are incapacitated
  • Children who are themselves incapacitated or have special needs
  • Children who are carers.

 

Help at Home grants

In 2025 we awarded £24,730

If you need help at home, covering the costs can be prohibitive. To support members, discretionary grants are available to contribute towards the cost of Help at Home domiciliary care. Members can reclaim up to £730 in any two-year period, to go towards Help at Home costs. Alternatively, members can apply for a combination of one week Help at Home financial support and one week convalescence via our Convalescent grant, making this benefit flexible to your needs.

 

Call us on 0800 622 417 to find out more about any of our discretionary grants, including how to make a claim. Downloadable claim forms and information on how to make a claim also be found here.

 

“I’m studying A Levels at school and wanted to buy a laptop. I will put the money from the Foresters Educational Award towards a laptop to help with schoolwork, homework, revision, internet access and saving work to the cloud. I thought the service from Foresters was fantastic. They were very quick at processing my application for support and were quick to let me know that I have received the grant. I am very happy!”

Martina, Cheltenham

“The grant from the Foresters Support Fund will allow me to install a low level shower. This will be so much easier for me with arthritis in my knee. I’m so grateful to this fund as it has really helped me.”

Judith, Norwich

“I applied for the Educational Award to help with transport costs to return home during term time for support (as I am autistic). The grant covers bus and train tickets, so that I can go back to my parents for support with my physical well-being – it makes a lot of difference and allows me to focus on my degree. I’m very grateful to receive this grant for the second year in a row – thank you also to the people who helped with the administration of this.”

Lawrence, Devizes

June, Derby

“The Foresters Support Fund grant has helped to purchase a mobility scooter, which has given me flexibility to enjoy outdoor activities with my husband. It was great to be able to revisit our old walking trails, which we both enjoyed (e.g. Monsal Trail)”

Foresters Care

Working alongside the vastly experienced RedArc, Foresters Care has supported thousands of people through serious and long-term physical and mental illnesses, trauma, eldercare and bereavement, across all life stages. Assigning a Personal Nurse to each case, all of whom are highly experienced qualified nurses, this enables Foresters Care to provide tailored help by telephone according to our member’s requirements. The same nurse provides long-term support giving important continuity. Your Personal Nurse can provide long-term advice and emotional support, can help you make the most of services offered by the NHS, specialist charities and social services. They can also arrange a second medical opinion so you can get the right diagnosis and treatment, and guide you through any post hospital care.

If you are a member and would like to speak to Foresters Care please call 0800 276 1023, Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm

Foresters Care is provided by RedArc Assured Ltd, a personal nurse advice service.

“The Educational Award will help me to cover the cost of a sports society. With the award, I can fully participate in the activity without worrying about the financial burden.”

Jessie, London

The membership benefits we provide aren’t regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority, and are regularly reviewed by us to ensure they are relevant to our members. Qualifying periods apply.