Who we help
We support past and present members of the wider architectural community and their families – from people just starting out in their careers, to those who are now in retirement.
We could help:
- Architects, Architectural Technologists, Landscape Architects and employees of architectural practices.
- Dependants of the above.
- Students of architecture, architectural technology or landscape architecture.
For more information on eligibility and to apply for help please see our eligibility checker.
Our values
Founded in 1850, we are a charity dedicated to empowering those in our community to flourish and live full and rewarding lives.
Responsive
We’re passionate about helping people. Our flexible approach and dedicated team enables us to provide meaningful and dedicated support – often fast
Compassionate
We value people and approach every person and situation with empathy, kindness and respect.
Improvement
We are driven to improve the lives of our community by continuing to learn from our collective experiences to grow, evolve and strive to do better.
Community Focused
We are approachable and warm. We encourage collaboration and engage with the architectural community.
Inclusive
We are actively inclusive within our objectives as a charity. We have an equitable, welcoming and ethical approach, and value each person’s unique life experience.
Our history
We’ve been hard at work since 1850 – read our very first annual report here.
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1850
On 27th November a small group of architects met in the Freemasons Tavern to set up a fund for the relief of the more unfortunate members of their profession. The Architects Benevolent Society was founded with the objects of the Society to provide relief to “persons engaged or formerly engaged in the practice of architecture and the wives, widows, children and other dependents of such being in necessitous circumstances”
1852
Our first four cases of support were recorded including a widow with four children and a “professional gentleman now in the evening of his life, a paralytic attack having entirely disabled him from exercise of his pencil.”
1900
We celebrated our 50th anniversary having been able to support over 50 individuals and families. It was recorded that: “from small beginnings the Society has steadily developed to its present size and efficiency; during its existence many thousands of pounds have been collected and distributed amongst deserving applicants.”
1914
Shortly after the declaration of the First World War we helped form the ‘Architects War Committee’ which issued a special appeal for contributions for the ‘relief of members of the profession in distress’.
1930
The depression in the early 1930s resulted in considerable unemployment. Architects Benevolent Society were involved in formulating a joint committee and unemployment fund for those facing distress as a result. It was reported that we were able to place over forty men in work.
1950
We celebrated our 100th anniversary at the Dorchester, London having recorded 102 cases of support.
1967
Her Royal Highness, The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon became the Patron of the Society.
2000
By 2000 we had widened our eligibility to help landscape architects and architectural technologists.
2003
His Royal Highness, Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester was appointed Patron of the Society.
2013
We launched our partnership with Law Express enabling us to provide beneficiaries of the Society with access to free telephone legal advice and guidance.
2016
We launched our partnership with Shelter to offer specialist housing advice to our beneficiaries.
2017
We launched our partnership with Anxiety UK enabling us to provide mental health support to our beneficiaries.
2020
We celebrated our 170th anniversary having been a Foundation of Support to the architectural community for 170 years.
