Become a Corporate Patron of the BINDT Benevolent Fund
Companies associated with the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT) are invited to become Patrons of the Institute’s Benevolent Fund
Being a Patron
Patrons support the Benevolent Fund’s mission to relieve hardship, need and distress in the non-destructive testing (NDT), condition monitoring (CM) and structural health monitoring (SHM) community, including family members and dependants.
Patrons’ donations are used for charitable purposes and make an important contribution to the financial viability of the Benevolent Fund.
Becoming a Patron demonstrates a sense of social responsibility and reputation, with commitment and loyalty to the values of BINDT and the NDT, CM and SHM community. It increases the visibility and exposure of the Patron’s brand, products and services to a wide and relevant audience.
Patrons demonstrate a caring attitude to employees, all of whom are eligible to apply for assistance in case of need.
Patrons receive recognition and appreciation from BINDT and the Benevolent Fund.
The Patronage Scheme
The Patronage Scheme is open to all companies associated with BINDT (stakeholders), including Corporate Members, in return for an annual donation, as shown below:
As payments to a UK charity, the donations are tax-deductible for UK companies, including sole traders (https://www.gov.uk/tax-limited-company-gives-to-charity and https://www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity).
Patrons may use the Benevolent Fund logo and appropriate language on their stationery (including digital stationery) providing that it is not stated or implied that BINDT or the Benevolent Fund endorse any products or services. A digital version of the logo will be supplied, as shown below with an example of appropriate language:
BINDT and its Benevolent Fund will take every opportunity through publications, conferences and other events to recognise and publicise the identity of the Patrons.
The Benevolent Fund
The BINDT Benevolent Fund is the welfare organisation for NDT, CM and SHM. Its mission is to relieve hardship and distress among those who are working or have worked in any capacity in NDT, CM or SHM, and their immediate relatives and dependants.
In 2024, the Fund introduced the Patronage Scheme as an opportunity for companies to strengthen the bonds within the industry’s community and demonstrate their compassion by supporting individuals in need.
The work of the Benevolent Fund
The Benevolent Fund was established by BINDT in 1989 as a charity (No. 328481) registered in England and Wales. It is led by a Board of trustees, elected by fee-paying members who must be voting members of BINDT. Members of the Fund enjoy no special privileges or priority for support or grants from the Fund.
The Fund’s charitable activities are carried out by unpaid volunteers, assisted by Institute staff. All applications for assistance are dealt with in confidence with a total absence of discrimination on any grounds, provided that applicants have the appropriate link with the industry.
The Benevolent Fund is maintained by membership fees, donations, legacies and interest on its financial reserves, supplemented by fund-raising events organised by Board members, Institute Branches, etc. Administrative costs are kept to a minimum ensuring that income is entirely devoted to charitable activities.
In its contact with applicants for assistance, the Fund acts quickly, with minimum bureaucracy, following rules and keeping accurate records. Annual accounts are published, independently examined and approved by members at an Annual General meeting, as required by the Charity Commission.
NDT, CM and SHM are demanding disciplines providing physical, intellectual and lifestyle challenges. Professionals and support staff face hazards and risks at work and difficulties caused by physical and mental health issues, bereavement, injuries, financial difficulties, redundancy, unemployment and other reduced circumstances.
The Benevolent Fund assists 15-20 applicants per year, some of whom require assistance over a number of years. In a typical year, 50% applicants are members of BINDT, 25-50% are PCN certificate holders and the remainder are those employed now or in the past by NDT, CM or SHM organisations. Each year, two or three applicants return to gainful employment as a result of the Fund’s intervention.
Some examples of the Fund’s work are:
Action
Companies associated with BINDT should consider enrolling as Patrons at the earliest opportunity.
To view or download a copy of the 'Become a Corporate Patron of the BINDT Benevolent Fund' leaflet, click here.

Patrons support the Benevolent Fund’s mission to relieve hardship, need and distress in the non-destructive testing (NDT), condition monitoring (CM) and structural health monitoring (SHM) community, including family members and dependants.
Patrons’ donations are used for charitable purposes and make an important contribution to the financial viability of the Benevolent Fund.
Becoming a Patron demonstrates a sense of social responsibility and reputation, with commitment and loyalty to the values of BINDT and the NDT, CM and SHM community. It increases the visibility and exposure of the Patron’s brand, products and services to a wide and relevant audience.
Patrons demonstrate a caring attitude to employees, all of whom are eligible to apply for assistance in case of need.
Patrons receive recognition and appreciation from BINDT and the Benevolent Fund.
The Patronage Scheme
The Patronage Scheme is open to all companies associated with BINDT (stakeholders), including Corporate Members, in return for an annual donation, as shown below:
Number of employees in BINDT disciplines | Annual donation |
1-4 | £60 |
5-19 | £100 |
20-199 | £150 |
200+ | £250 |
As payments to a UK charity, the donations are tax-deductible for UK companies, including sole traders (https://www.gov.uk/tax-limited-company-gives-to-charity and https://www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity).
Patrons may use the Benevolent Fund logo and appropriate language on their stationery (including digital stationery) providing that it is not stated or implied that BINDT or the Benevolent Fund endorse any products or services. A digital version of the logo will be supplied, as shown below with an example of appropriate language:
![]() |
Proud to be a Patron of the British Institute of NDT Benevolent Fund |
The Benevolent Fund
The BINDT Benevolent Fund is the welfare organisation for NDT, CM and SHM. Its mission is to relieve hardship and distress among those who are working or have worked in any capacity in NDT, CM or SHM, and their immediate relatives and dependants.
In 2024, the Fund introduced the Patronage Scheme as an opportunity for companies to strengthen the bonds within the industry’s community and demonstrate their compassion by supporting individuals in need.
The work of the Benevolent Fund
The Benevolent Fund was established by BINDT in 1989 as a charity (No. 328481) registered in England and Wales. It is led by a Board of trustees, elected by fee-paying members who must be voting members of BINDT. Members of the Fund enjoy no special privileges or priority for support or grants from the Fund.
The Fund’s charitable activities are carried out by unpaid volunteers, assisted by Institute staff. All applications for assistance are dealt with in confidence with a total absence of discrimination on any grounds, provided that applicants have the appropriate link with the industry.
The Benevolent Fund is maintained by membership fees, donations, legacies and interest on its financial reserves, supplemented by fund-raising events organised by Board members, Institute Branches, etc. Administrative costs are kept to a minimum ensuring that income is entirely devoted to charitable activities.
In its contact with applicants for assistance, the Fund acts quickly, with minimum bureaucracy, following rules and keeping accurate records. Annual accounts are published, independently examined and approved by members at an Annual General meeting, as required by the Charity Commission.
NDT, CM and SHM are demanding disciplines providing physical, intellectual and lifestyle challenges. Professionals and support staff face hazards and risks at work and difficulties caused by physical and mental health issues, bereavement, injuries, financial difficulties, redundancy, unemployment and other reduced circumstances.
The Benevolent Fund assists 15-20 applicants per year, some of whom require assistance over a number of years. In a typical year, 50% applicants are members of BINDT, 25-50% are PCN certificate holders and the remainder are those employed now or in the past by NDT, CM or SHM organisations. Each year, two or three applicants return to gainful employment as a result of the Fund’s intervention.
Some examples of the Fund’s work are:
- Grants to relieve financial hardship caused by unemployment or redundancy.
- Making contact with bereaved families to offer consolation and practical help.
- Informal contact with people experiencing distress or mental illness, ensuring that professional therapy or counselling is obtained when necessary.
- Purchase, maintenance and insurance of mobility aids such as mobility scooters and stair-lifts.
- Assisting people who have lost employment to maintain their membership of BINDT, professional qualifications and Engineering Council registration, thus helping them to maintain morale, identify employment opportunities and return to employment.
- The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the industrial demand for work and had a major effect on self-employed personnel working on short-term contracts. Some were unable to maintain essential certification, which requires continuity of employment and success in periodic examinations. Without regular work they could not afford refresher training or examinations to renew their certificates. Without valid certificates they were unable to pitch for work. The Benevolent Fund was the only source of funds available to break this vicious circle.
- The Fund supports NDT, CM and SHM staff suffering from COVID-19, long COVID and other chronic complaints.

Action
Companies associated with BINDT should consider enrolling as Patrons at the earliest opportunity.
To view or download a copy of the 'Become a Corporate Patron of the BINDT Benevolent Fund' leaflet, click here.
For further information and to express your interest, contact: The Benevolent Fund Secretary, BINDT, Midsummer House, Riverside Way, Bedford Road, Northampton NN1 5NX, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1604 438300 | Email: info@bindt.org | www.bindt.org/membership/for-individuals/benevolent-fund/ |