The British Charitable Fund (BCF) was founded by the Duke of Wellington in 1815 following the Battle of Waterloo to take care of wounded soldiers and their families. Today, some 210 years later the BCF is still caring and helping people in times of crisis.

The BCF exists to assist persons of British nationality or persons who are married to or divorced from a British citizen. The BCF also helps widows/widowers of British nationals regardless of nationality. Assistance may also be extended to the children of a British national. In each of these cases, the only proviso is that the person concerned is resident in Belgium.

The patron of the BCF is Philippe, King of the Belgians, and its Honorary President is the British Ambassador to Belgium. The day-to-day work of the fund is undertaken by a small team of volunteers - all give their time freely and running expenses are kept to an absolute minimum.

The people that the BCF helps are young and old, long-term residents in Belgium and new arrivals, some just passing through, and they come from all walks of life. The BCF is non-denominational and non-judgemental, and simply does what it takes to help get lives back on track.

The personal cases that  the BCF get involved with are many and varied. For instance, coping with administrative requirements upon the loss of a spouse can often be daunting. Loneliness and isolation (often coupled with financial issues) can be longer-term problems for many people, not necessarily just the elderly. Language barriers only add to the difficulties and anxieties experienced by many people, often the most vulnerable amongst us.

Case studies

The two examples below are typical of the current work of the BCF.

Gloria and Sylia have both been a part of the BCF family for many years. They each receive a very small state pension and a monthly stipend from the BCF. As the years pass, they continue to live active lives in the knowledge that the BCF checks in regularly with each of them and maintains their financial support.

Alex has lived in Belgium for many years. In 2024, his employment situation changed, and his income decrease abruptly. Referred to the BCF by a mutual contact, a series of financial measures have been put in place to help him until his income flow stabilises.

Plus ça change

“I recently came across a copy of the BCF annual report for 1957,”says BCF Chair Julie Huckle. “Reading the report, it struck me just how much things have changed on a world scale but then again, how nothing has changed on a human scale. In 1957, the work of the BCF was funded by donations from many, many individuals and companies, Today, our list of donors is a more restrained affair.”

“Also in 1957, the BCF supported almost ten times more people with regular pension payments than it does today,” she continues. “Then, as now, however, steps were taken during the year to supplement payments in an effort to bring them more in line with the cost of living because the Fund’s protégés are, without exception, people who are trying to make ends meet on what by any standards can only be regarded as a bare subsistence level.”

“Nowadays, we are all connected with an immediacy that can sometimes be overwhelming. Yet, in general, there is a recognition that we live ever more individualistic lives, behind the protective barriers of GDPR and privacy rights. Many British people in Belgium are hiding in plain sight and the people who could usefully benefit from BCF support risk going un-noticed.”

“In practice, there are few limits to the type of help the BCF can provide,“ concludes Julie. “The BCF works as a small committee and is a group of unpaid volunteers. We work in conditions of the strictest confidentiality but are an ‘agency of last resort’, only stepping in when applicants have exhausted the normal means of family or government support. Our structure enables us to react very quickly - often the same day - and assistance can last for anything from a few days to several years.”

How can you help?

Spread the word – The BCF is concerned that there may be many needy people who are simply unaware of the help that the BCF can offer. The BCF is working to increase awareness of its activities amongst the British and anglophile community in Belgium.

Volunteer – The BCF works closely with other organisations which also help British nationals in Belgium, supports the work of the Wednesday Club and is a member of the BBCA. They liase regularly with the Consulate and the British Embassy. But volunteers are at the core of providing and facilitating the BCF response to individuals. Can you spare a few hours to help?

Donate - If you don’t have time to volunteer, then please consider donating. Donations to the BCF are recognised by the Belgian Ministry of Finance and annual contributions of €40 and above are tax deductible.

Donations to the BCF can be made to ING account ‘The British Charitable Fund asbl’ at IBAN BE37 3101 8900 8428 – please include the message “Donation” and your email address so the BCF can keep in touch -  and send you your tax attestation!

Find more about the BCF on their website and Facebook page.