Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations, whose values are the principles of kindness, honesty, fairness, tolerance and integrity. For many, its biggest draw is the fact that members come from all walks of life and meet as equals, whatever their race, religion or socio-economic position.

It has over 200,000 members under the auspices of the United Grand Lodge of England, who meet in more than 7,000 Lodges across England, Wales, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands – and membership is strong especially among young people. Worldwide, the figure grows to around six million Freemasons.

Any man over the age of 21 can apply to become a Freemason (or the age of 18 in the case of University Lodges), although those aged under 21 and 18 respectively may be initiated by special dispensation from the relevant Provincial Grand Master. There are two equivalent independent Grand Lodges which are exclusively for women.

Today Freemasonry is one of the largest charitable givers in the UK through donations both to the Masonic Charitable Foundation (consolidating four former Masonic charitable institutions) and to non-Masonic charities and disaster funds.  The organisation has donated relief funds to every disaster since 1982, predominantly through the Red Cross.

Freemasonry encourages its members to take a moral and ethical approach to life. Its principles are more important and relevant in today’s society than ever before, not least in a time of unprecedented austerity. Family and community are also both central to Freemasonry; members are encouraged to see the interests of the family as paramount and to become involved in their communities, for example through voluntary work.