WHO WE ARE
Sears Group Trust (the Trust for short) is a registered charity whose purpose is to help relieve hardship for former employees (and/or their families/ dependants) of companies that were part of the Sears Group:
SEARS GROUP COMPANIES
- SHOE
British Shoe Corporation Curtess Dolcis
Freeman Hardy & Willis Hush Puppies Manfield
Lilley & Skinner Saxone Shoe City
Shoe Express Trueform
- CLOTHING
Adams Childrenswear Foster Menswear Dormie
Bradley’s Horne Brothers Miss Selfridge
Richard Shops Wallis Womenswear Warehouse
Your Price
- STORES
Lewis’s Selfridges Garrard
Mappin & Webb Robinson & Cleaver Millets
Olympus Sports
- OTHER
Bentley Engineering Gilbert Rice
How THE TRUST can help
The Trust can provide help and support in a number of ways: -
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To help you claim State Benefits that you may be entitled to – such as Attendance Allowance; Disability Living Allowance; Housing Benefit; Council Tax Benefit and Pension Credit.
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The Trust may be able to offer financial assistance to purchase:
• Electric/mobility scooters, specialist beds; rise and recline chairs;
• Home furnishings; and
• Electric equipment and “white goods”, for instance fridges; freezers; washing machines.
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The Trust may be able to contribute towards the cost of installing a stair lift or help with the cost of essential home repairs/maintenance.
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The Trust may also pay half-yearly Grants, to help with the day-to-day cost of living.
The Trust employs two Welfare Officers who can make home visits, with a prior appointment.
QUALIFYING Conditions
Applicants must be able to prove they were employed by one of the above companies while it was part of the Sears Group.
Students/those employed on a “casual” basis are not eligible for assistance under the Trust.
Applicants must usually be receiving appropriate State benefits, or in the process of obtaining State benefits, before an award can be considered by the Trust.
The Trust is obliged to undertake a financial assessment before any awards can be considered.
Unfortunately, the Trust cannot contribute towards funeral costs or residential care fees.
Contact POINTS
If you (or someone you know) think you might qualify for help, please contact us and we will take it from there. If you are applying on someone else’s behalf, we will need their permission first.