THE Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) is actively looking to raise awareness amongst Foresters. The charity, established in 1952 to provide welfare provision for workers in the national coal mining industry, is still active and operational in the UK with its South Wales Regional Office situated in Pontypridd.

We know that there are still a number of beneficiaries in the Forest who can benefit from our services but we cannot be sure that they know about us.

We operate on a number of fronts, but our primary message is that we offer a free home visiting social work service to mineworkers, their wives, widows or dependant children. We have a dedicated team of social workers who offer a range of services including benefits advice and potential financial assistance for those facing financial hardship.

We have access to funds unavailable through any other source subject to your circumstances, so I would encourage anyone who worked in the industry, or whose partner worked in the industry, to get in touch to ensure they are getting the correct levels of benefits etc.

It is not uncommon that our social workers find monies rightly due to the client that is left unclaimed, on rare occasions our social workers have been able to maximise clients' income with amounts going into five figures, this is very rare but it does happen, it's one of the many reasons why people should get in touch. Essentially I would say this, if you feel your mother, father, grandparent or Mr or Mrs Bloggs who lives down the street could benefit from our help then please, get them to get in touch. Our services are free and confidential plus we'll come to you. Remember, to qualify for our help, the client needs to have served in the industry, or they need to have been the wife or widow of a mineworker. Financial assistance is means tested so we cannot guarantee financial support, but we can guarantee we'll do everything within our remit to assist our clientele.

CISWO also administers the Court Royal holiday home in Bournemouth, details of which can be found by contacting CISWO or visiting our regional website. Court Royal offers subsidised holidays to former mining beneficiaries, a minimum of 5 years' service needs to be served to attend the home. Miners' widows are entitled to attend and take a companion. Court Royal has received major investment in the last two years, and sits proudly in Bournemouth seafront, overlooking the pier.

For further information please contact CISWO on 01443 485233 or alternatively visit our regional website http://www.minerswelfare.org">www.minerswelfare.org or by post to CISWO, Unit 5, Maritime Offices, Woodland Terrace, Maesycoed, Pontypridd CF37 1DZ.

– Andrew J Morse, regional manager.