Welcome to the German Welfare Council
The German Welfare Council (formerly also known as German Advice Centre) offers independent help and advice free of charge for people with personal and social problems. This help is provided by a bilingual social worker with a wide experience of statutory and voluntary provisions for social care in both Germany and the UK.
The German Welfare Council was founded in 1952 and is a registered charity since 1983. It is politically and denominationally independent. The aims and perspectives of this charity have changed over the past 60 years of its existence according to the trend of people emigrating and immigrating. Giving advice on social security provisions, pensions and EU regulations has therefore become more and more important. The staff of the German Welfare Council also tries to help people in financial crisis situations and many other welfare issues which arise from the increased number of employee transfer and their family moving between Germany and the UK.
In order for the German Welfare Council to continue its work, it relies heavily on private and corporate subscriptions and donations in addition to financial support from other funds.
Extract of the Constitution:
“…to relieve poverty amongst persons predominantly of German origin who are in necessitous circumstances, by the provision of financial assistance to such persons and be such other means as shall further the said object; … to relieve the aged, particularly through the provision of recreational facilities for elderly persons predominantly of German origin who have need there of by reason of their age or social or economic circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life.”
About us
The German Welfare Council was founded in 1952 and is a registered Charity in the UK since 1983. It is politically and denominationally independent. For many years it hosted the German Advice Centre which was closed at the end of 2009.
The staff of the German Welfare Council works closely with trusts that help German nationals or their descendants in a financial crisis. Most of them help with one-off emergency grants; others pay 2-4 times per year so called heating grants to alleviate heating costs for the elderly or chronically sick people and families. The staff is authorized to apply for these grants. Applications have to be made either in person, per letter or by referral of another social agency or charity. It is essential that some sort of evidence of income is provided.
Who we are
| Committee | Udo Bauer (Chairman) Verena Gronewold (Secretary) Julien Rhys Andreas Blum Anna Haase Antje Palmer |
| Staff | Doreen Scording (Dipl. Soz.-Päd, Social Worker) |
Membership
Furthermore we would appreciate your permanent support, by becoming a member of our Charity, the German Welfare Council.
Membership fees:
- Ordinary member (£15 per calendar year)
- Personal lifelong member (£150 one-off payment)
- Corporate member (£100 per calendar year)
- Supporting corporate member (£500 per calendar year)
If you are interested in membership please contact our staff.
Donations
You can transfer your donations directly to our bank account, or send us a cheque payable to: “German Welfare Council”:
HSBC Branch Euston Road
31 Euston Road
London NW1 2ST
sort code: 40 04 07
account number: 3105 5909
Voluntary Service
You can support our work by visiting the elderly or the sick. If you are interested and would like to know more about the visiting service, please contact us.
Skat Evening
The German YMCA hosts Skat evenings to fundraise for the GWC. Feel free to join with a minimum donation of £5 (tea/coffee and biscuits are provided) at 7pm at the Lancaster Hall Hotel, 35 Craven Terrace, London, W2 3EL.
Next dates are on the German YMCA’s website : www.german-ymca.org.uk