The Society For Assistance Of Medical Families (samf)

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £243,762 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £162,053 (2024)
• Membership Fee: £40 per year
• Geographic Focus: England, Wales, and Scotland (British Isles)
• Founded: 1788
• Legal Status: Royal Charter (1864, amended 1975 and 1980)

Contact Details

• Website: www.samf.org.uk
• Email: info@samf.org.uk
• Phone: 07771300410
• Address: Lettsom House, 11 Chandos Street, London W1G 9EB
• Registered Charity Number: 207473

For inquiries about assistance, contact the Secretary to discuss eligibility before submitting an application.

Overview

The Society for Assistance of Medical Families (SAMF), originally founded in 1788 as “The Society for Relief of Widows and Orphans of Medical Men,” is one of the oldest medical benevolent organizations in the United Kingdom. Established when seven doctors each contributed three guineas at Gray's Inn Coffee House in London, SAMF has evolved from a mutual insurance scheme for medical widows and orphans into a broader charitable organization supporting doctors and their families throughout the British Isles during times of financial hardship.

Governed by Royal Charter dating to 1864 (with amendments in 1975 and 1980), SAMF operates with 14 trustees led by Chair David Buckle. The organization's Court of Directors meets quarterly to consider new membership applications and requests for assistance. By the 1980s, improved financial planning among members and changing societal needs allowed SAMF to expand its remit beyond widow and orphan support to provide charitable assistance to the wider medical profession, including both members and non-members facing financial difficulty.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

SAMF provides flexible, individualized financial assistance tailored to specific circumstances rather than operating standardized grant programs. Support is available to both members (£40 annual fee) and non-members, though the scope differs:

For Members:

• Financial aid during unexpected hardship
• Education funding, particularly for medical degrees
• Career support including retraining expenses and examination costs
• Home adaptations for disability-related needs
• Household vouchers during income reduction periods
• Money advisory services for budgeting and debt management

For Non-Members:

• Short-term financial assistance for work-related needs
• Course and examination costs for career advancement
• Support for returning to work or remaining in the profession
• Referral to money advisors for budgeting and debt restructuring
• Household vouchers for essential expenses

Priority Areas

SAMF focuses on supporting medical professionals and their families during major life challenges:

• Widows and orphans of deceased doctors
• Doctors and their families facing financial hardship due to illness, disability, or unemployment
• Career development and retraining for doctors needing to change career paths
• Educational support for children of medical families
• Emergency support during unexpected crises (accidents, bereavement, addiction recovery)
• Home adaptations following serious injury or illness
• Support for medical professionals returning to work after career breaks

What They Don't Fund

SAMF explicitly does not typically provide assistance with:

• Private school fees
• Legal expenses

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Governance and Leadership

SAMF is governed by a Court of Directors comprising 14 trustees who meet quarterly to consider applications. The organization operates under Royal Charter and maintains formal policies on complaints, risk management, and safeguarding.

Current Leadership:

• Chair: David Buckle (appointed May 2018)
• Recent Trustee Appointments: Dr Ffion Davies, Col Duncan Parkhouse, Dr Shriti Pattani

Several trustees hold positions at other major charities, including the Stroke Association and Crohn's & Colitis UK, bringing diverse charitable governance experience.

The organization has no staff earning over £60,000 and reports no trustee remuneration, reflecting its mutual aid ethos and volunteer-led governance structure.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

SAMF does not operate a standardized public grant application process. Instead, assistance is provided through two primary pathways:

For Prospective Members:

1. Visit www.samf.org.uk and use the “Enter GMC Number” option to join
2. Alternatively, send an inquiry via the contact form
3. Pay the £40 annual membership fee
4. Once a member, contact the Secretary to discuss needs and eligibility for assistance
5. Complete a detailed application with supporting documentation

For Non-Members:

1. Contact SAMF directly via email (info@samf.org.uk), phone (07771300410), or website inquiry form
2. Discuss your circumstances with the Secretary to establish eligibility
3. If eligible, complete the required application with supporting documentation

The Court of Directors reviews applications quarterly and works closely with applicants to understand their specific needs and circumstances.

Decision Timeline

The Court of Directors meets quarterly to review applications. Specific decision timeframes are not publicly documented, but the organization emphasizes providing “immediate support” for urgent cases, suggesting flexibility in their review process for emergency situations.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly available. SAMF operates on a discretionary basis, assessing each case individually based on circumstances and need.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly documented. Given the organization's emphasis on personalized support and quarterly reviews, applicants with changing circumstances would likely be encouraged to reapply, but this should be confirmed directly with the Secretary.

Application Success Factors

Based on SAMF's stated priorities and case examples, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Clear Connection to Medical Profession: SAMF exists specifically to support doctors and their families. Members include GMC-registered medical practitioners throughout the British Isles.

1. Demonstrated Financial Need: The organization focuses on “necessitous” medical practitioners and their families facing genuine hardship. Case examples include situations involving bereavement, disability, unemployment, and addiction recovery.

1. Work-Related Focus (Non-Members): For non-members, SAMF prioritizes “short term financial assistance for items that will help either with your return to work or to make it possible for you to remain in the profession.”

• Home adaptations following paralysis
• University education costs for bereaved families
• Retraining expenses for career transitions
• Essential household expenses during recovery periods

1. Supporting Documentation: Applications require detailed documentation to support claims of hardship and demonstrate specific financial needs.

1. Membership Advantage: While non-members can receive assistance, the £40 annual membership fee provides access to broader support services and likely increases the scope of available assistance.

Quotes from beneficiaries:

• "My husband was killed in a car accident and we had no insurance. With the Society's help my children were able to go to university and I was able to retrain and return to work"
• “The Society helped when I was paralysed after a car accident. Their contribution to home adaptations has made life much easier.”

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Consider membership first: The £40 annual fee provides access to broader support services and demonstrates commitment to the mutual aid community
• Contact before applying: SAMF requires initial discussion with the Secretary to establish eligibility - this is not a cold application process
• Be specific about financial needs: Provide detailed documentation of circumstances and specific requests for tangible support
• Emphasize work-related needs for non-members: If applying as a non-member, focus on how assistance will help you return to work or remain in the profession
• Understand the quarterly cycle: The Court of Directors meets quarterly, so plan accordingly unless facing an emergency requiring immediate support
• This is mutual aid, not traditional philanthropy: SAMF operates as a community of medical professionals supporting each other, which shapes their approach and expectations
• Geographic scope matters: Membership is open throughout the British Isles, extending SAMF's reach beyond its original London focus

References

• SAMF Official Website - Home
• SAMF - Who We Are
• SAMF - How We Help
• SAMF - Members
• SAMF - Non-Members
• SAMF - History
• SAMF - SAMF in Action
• UK Charity Commission - Charity Details for 207473
• Doctors Help - The Society for the Assistance of Medical Families

Information