Page 54 - the SyI Quarterly V3 digital (1)

Institute Community
Security Community

Helping Those in Their Greatest Hour of Need

Peter French MBE FSyI

The Security Benevolent Fund (SBF) was founded in 2006 by Myself Past Masters
John Purnell of the Worshipful Company of Security Professionals (WCoSP). We
identified the need to create a safety net for the most vulnerable people working
in and retired from the security profession. As we know, many people working on
the front line are at the lower end of pay scales , some on zero hour contracts and
often when illness or injury strikes they need help, guidance and support to get back
to work or to return to normal life. Financial hardship following injury at work, but
only qualifying for Statutory Sick Pay, is unfair and causes great strain in an already
stressful situation.

The SBF can be the glue to help families in times of stress or bereavement. Many of the applications are from those who have worked in the
manned guarding or door supervisor sectors, although we are here for the wider security profession. In general, these are the sectors that
offer little in the way of benefits. For example, no payment when you cannot work after being assaulted doing your job; receiving SSP when
unable to work, and having to rely on state benefits for a permanent or semi-permanent disability. Low or no death in service life insurance
because companies have reduced margins on contracts, and employee benefits are discarded. Becoming terminally ill when you are the
sole worker in the household or the main carer for your elderly parents; or homeless after a family break down without access to counselling.
On the run from an abusive partner, trying to protect your daughter whilst working as a security officer and sofa surfing. Life can be a real
challenge.

The SBF is different, working to influence employers by highlighting anonymously the social issues of their present and past employees. The
goal is that in the near future, Gold Standard companies will include insurance to look after employees if they are injured in the line of duty,
with death in service cover to help with funeral expenses, as well as protecting their workers and family’s future. We are seeing more and
more applicants with mental health problems, a disproportionate number that lack self-confidence, and take a job where they can ‘hide
away’. Some are subjected to bullying and harassment at work but consider they are lucky to have a job. Whilst this is not always true, it is
something that we hear often from the people that come to the SBF for help.

We are hearing from an increasing number of people expressing disturbing symptoms of depression and emotional instability. PTSD is an
anxiety disorder caused by very stressful,
frightening or distressing events. This is not
just affecting veterans, our Trust has donated
money to the charities Combat Stress and
PTSD Resolution, but also to the security
officer that witnessed a workplace suicide
and was the first responder. The manned
guarding sector is improved and we have
seen robust structure in some companies
that support to the worker, the team and the
wider family. We can offer a helpful link to
those that want to do more.