Timber Trades' Benevolent Society

The Timber Trades' Benevolent Society (TTBS), established in 1897 by UK timber industry pioneers in London, is a charity dedicated exclusively to providing discreet financial relief to current and former employees of the UK timber trade—such as importers, agents, merchants, sheet material importers, trussed rafter fabricators, and accredited timber preservation companies—and their dependants, including widows and children, during times of hardship. Rooted in mutual aid, camaraderie, and compassion, TTBS upholds values of dignity, targeted support, and peer-led responsiveness through a network of regional voluntary committees across the UK, ensuring no eligible trade worker or family faces destitution alone. As the only UK charity focused solely on this sector, it emphasises case-by-case assessments with strong due diligence to complement, not replace, state benefits.

TTBS funds direct individual hardship relief, including regular quarterly allowances, winter fuel grants, Christmas and spring payments, luxury hampers, utility/phone bill coverage, TV licences, and one-off grants for essentials like white goods, respite care, or funerals, prioritising low-income beneficiaries with limited savings facing illness, bereavement, retirement, or economic distress.

Eligibility requires at least 10 years' service in qualifying timber trade roles (or 5 in exceptional cases), UK residency, and proof of financial need; applications are open to individuals only, not charities or organisations, with no geographic, income caps, or religious restrictions. Typical grants range from £100 to £1,000, tailored to circumstances.

Unsolicited applications are accepted rolling year-round via phone (08448 92 22 05), email, or website form request; initial regional committee review leads to Trustee decisions within weeks. TTBS excludes joinery, furniture, boat building, carpentry, or non-trade entities, distinguishing itself through sector-specific expertise, personal ongoing contact, and industry-funded sustainability.