Charitable Work
Al-Anon (English-speaking)
Al-Anon is a worldwide fellowship of men and women whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking, regardless of whether that person is still drinking or not. It is non-professional, self-supporting and apolitical. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of alcoholism in a relative or friend. Details of English-speaking meetings in France on https://www.al-anon-alateen.fr/langue/english.
Contact paris.englishalanon@gmail.com or 06 75 55 79 28
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is an international fellowship of people who have had a drinking problem. It is non-professional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem.
Helpline (English) 07 56 98 45 71 / (French) 09 69 39 40 20
Volunteer Dennis deg1953@gmail.com
Bon Coeur
We raise funds to distribute to local causes. We have a shop in Beauville 47470, open regularly with clothes, books, brocante and jewellery, and Spring and Autumn Grand Bazaar sales. We conduct an Open Garden event – usually in Spring and we assist with neutering errant cats. Since inception, we have made donations of over €150,000 - generally to smaller local Associations.
Quality donations are welcome, but please contact us.
New volunteers welcome.
President - Charles Miskin boncoeur@boncoeur47.fr
Treasurer - treasurer@boncoeur47.fr
Secretary - secretary@boncoeur47.fr
General enquiries - boncoeur@boncoeur47.fr
The British Charitable Fund
We help British people of all ages and situations, resident in France, experiencing financial need or distress. Through discretionary grants, we provide continuing support for the elderly or temporary assistance to younger people during short-term difficulties. Donation support (via website) is deeply appreciated. The UK registered BCF is represented in France by the British Charitable Fund in France. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, subject to a flexible one-hour lunchtime.
01 47 59 07 69
Cancer Support France
Cancer Support France has been supporting English-speakers in France who are touched by cancer since 2002. Free, confidential, emotional and linguistic support is offered on a one-to-one basis by our trained volunteers for the patient, their carers or loved ones. With a network of 14 local associations, we can offer support face to face or remotely by telephone, e-mail or other secure means.
National help-line: 0800 240 200
Support e-mail: helpline@cancersupportfrance.org
Volunteers: volunteer@cancersupportfrance.org
President: Sue Smith: president@cancersupportfrance.org
The Dordogne Ladies Club International
Formed in 1986 as a not-for-profit association for women living in and around the Dordogne, we are a vibrant and enthusiastic community of all ages and nationalities (with English as the common language). Our ethos is networking, cultural exchange, friendship, support, welfare and raising money for local charities. Current members from all over the world provide mutual support for new lives in France and get together for social gatherings throughout the year. Annual membership is 25 euros.
President: Lin Green DLCIPresident@gmail.com
The Franco-British Foundation de Sillery
Created by French and British trustees of the British Committee of the French Red Cross who had coordinated Britain’s effort to treat wounded French servicemen in British-run hospitals throughout France during WW1, the headquarters has been at the Château de Sillery since 1919.
350 qualified staff care for 850 adults from 14 nationalities in 11 training establishments and workshops in Essonne, Val de Marne and Brittany. FFBS aims to help these individuals manage their disabilities, acquire living and employment skills and, ultimately, to lead independent, working lives.
Fondation Franco-Britannique de Sillery
Château de Sillery, 91360 Epinay-sur-Orge
President - Colonel Geoffrey Cardozo CBE
Vice-President - Annette Gilles
contact@ffbs-sillery.com
Website
The Hertford British Charitable Fund – HBCF (previously Hertford British Hospital Corporation or HBHC)
HBCF is a UK registered charity that manages the original hospital built by Sir Richard Wallace in Levallois-Perret in 1879 and the modern hospital building behind it which is made available to the Hôpital Franco-Britannique-Fondation Cognacq-Jay (“HFB”). HBCF no longer provides medical care (which is provided by HFB) and its purpose is to support the British Charitable Fund and to make grants to other charities in France who care for the wellbeing of British citizens.
The HBCF can be reached on +33(0)1 47 57 19 45 and the website can be found at https://www.british-hospital.org/en/
Medical appointments at HFB can be made by calling +33(0)1 47 59 59 59 or online at Home - HFB(hopitalfrancobritannique.org)
The Old School
The Old School is a co-educational day school providing English curriculum studies for students aged 10 to 19 in a supportive environment with commitment to the pursuit of academic excellence. We attach a high value to creativity, imagination and the quest for knowledge and understanding.
We encourage students to discover and enjoy their individual strengths and capacities and develop fluency in English and French. We promote academic achievement and participation in the global community. We also provide English education in a local French primary school.
47410 St Colomb de Lauzun, Tel: 05 53 64 24 97
Tel: 05 53 40 60 54, for administration and admissions
info@oldschoolfrance.com
Website
Phoenix Association
Phoenix is a non-profit organisation managed and run exclusively by volunteers, operating across the Dordogne and surrounding departments. The members are mainly British but also French, Dutch and some other nationalities.
We take in abused or abandoned animals for rehabilitation and re-homing. We act as intermediary between SPA shelters and people wishing to adopt from them. The Spring and Autumn Book Fairs are the stars of the yearly social events.
President Tiffany Stacpoole phoenix24presidente@gmail.com
Treasurer Chris Green Phoenix24.treasurer@gmail.com
Secretary Sophie Nicol sophie.nicol@yahoo.fr
Riviera Lifeline
Riviera Lifeline is a non-profit, non-denominational organisation serving the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes. Our volunteers help seniors to continue independent lives across the French Riviera for example visiting seniors at home, lending a sympathetic ear and offering companionship. We can usually be found at The Grange on Thursdays and the third Saturday each month.
Please contact us for details.
1267 Chemin du Train de Pignes Ouest, 83510 Lorgues
Tel: 04 89 82 68 51
The Royal Air Forces Association, Ile-de-France Branch
RAFA Île-de-France was created on merging RAFA Paris and RAFA Saint-Germain-en-Laye (founded in 1946 and 1956 respectively). Members included French veterans who responded to the 18 June 1940 call of Charles de Gaulle, by escaping to England and joining the Free French Forces in the RAF, the Royal Navy and British Army. Sadly, many have now passed on and it is our duty to keep their memory alive.
Ile-de-France Chairman: Wing Cdr Graham August RAF (Rtd), Tel: 09 54 75 23 42
The Royal Air Forces Association, Lyon “Jubilee” Branch
We care for the welfare of the RAF family, serving or retired, and for their dependents; also for members who are ex-Free French aviators. Lyon Jubilee Branch covers an extensive area encompassing most of eastern France and we are proud to be present with our Standard Bearer, together with the RBL Lyon Liberation Branch and other military associations, at many memorial events in our area commemorating the human sacrifice of RAF, Commonwealth and Allied Airmen.
President Sean Brady, bradypa206@yahoo.com
Chairman Brian J Millar MRAeS, brian.j.millar@orange.fr
Branch Secretary Shirley Faust, sbfaust@ymail.com
Branch Treasurer Leslie Blankley FRAeS, leslie.blankley@wanadoo.fr
Welfare Support Officer Anne Daynes, annedaynes66@gmail.com
The Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), Sud-Ouest France
RAF Association Sud-Ouest France (Loire to Spanish border). Membership comprises RAF veterans of many nationalities and those with an interest in all things aeronautical.
We meet regularly all over our region. Our support team of trained welfare officers takes active care of veterans and their dependents. We attend ceremonial commemorations remembering those RAF personnel who gave their lives in SW France. We are the charity that supports the RAF family.
Chair Squadron Leader Beryl Dennett Stannard RAF (Retd), Tel: 06 89 90 55 82
Secretary Squadron Leader Terry Dennett RAF (Retd), Tel: 05 46 95 38 89
The Royal British Legion – Bordeaux & S.W. France Branch
It is thought that the branch existed before WWII but traces its current existence to 22nd November 1946. We cover Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and area larger than Scotland and have 4 priorities. Welfare support for the Military, Veterans and their Families. Liaison with other Military Charities in France. Raising funds for the Annual Poppy Appeal. Remembrance and Ceremonial duties in the area. Regular updates are posted on our Facebook Page.
Honorary President: Dominique Olley dominique.olley@fcdo.gov.uk
Chairman: Duncan Andrews andrewsin33@gmail.com 05.57.64.46.21
Secretary: Philip Morrison morrison.philip@orange.fr
Treasurer: Paul Phillips MBE paul.phillipsmbe@gmail.com
The Royal British Legion, Lyon Liberation Branch
The Lyon Liberation Branch covers Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and Bourgogne Franche-Comté. s with the RBL world-wide, we help serving and ex-service personnel and their families, and we raise funds through the Poppy Appeal. We are present with our Standard at many remembrance events, across the two regions, during the year : these vary from a memorial in a small commune in a rural area to a major commemoration such as the Liberation of Lyon.
Chairman: Garth Drury - garthlyon@gmail.com
Vice-Chairman: Brian Rosen
Secretary: Mary Vince - LyonLiberation.Secretary@RBL.Community
The Royal British Legion, Paris Branch
The Paris Branch, founded in 1921, can provide financial assistance for ex-servicemen and women and their dependents in the Ile-de-France Region, this being funded by the Poppy Appeal.
Ceremonies are organised at the Arc de Triomphe on 4th August and in the Cathedral of St. Louis, Les Invalides on 11th November since the devastating fire at Notre-Dame.
Membership is open to ex-Service and serving Service personnel, and to all who abide by the aims of the Legion. The Clubhouse premises may be available for use by Associations or for private events for a donation to the Royal British Legion.
28 rue des Acacias, 75017 Paris Tel. 01 47 42 19 26
Branch Chairman: Richard Neave, richard.neave05@gmail.com
Branch Vice-Chairman: Pierre Quenot
Secretary: Janet Warby, Tel: 01 39 28 90 28, janetwarby@yahoo.com
House Manager: Elaine Taylor, Tel: 06 03 36 09 87, elainetayl@gmail.com
In addition to the Paris branch, there are the following RBL branches in France :
Bordeaux & SW France *: see separate listing
Nord-Pas de Calais: Hon. Secretary - Jennie Knight, frajohn@mac.com
Lyon: see separate listing
Somme: Hon. Secretary - Anita Platt, anitaplatt@hotmail.co.uk
Central Brittany: Secretary - Kevin Ball, secretary@rblbrittany.fr
* This branch covers the whole of Nouvelle Aquitaine and is happy to help with Poppies, Wreaths and assistance anywhere in France not covered by another branch.
SOS Help in English
SOS Help provides emotional support by telephone to anyone in France who prefers to speak in English. Callers may speak in confidence and anonymity about whatever is on their mind to a non-judgmental, trained volunteer listener. SOS Help is part of the SOS Amitié Federation, a member of Befrienders International and has links to the Samaritans in the UK.
Chairperson Lynne Dalrymple chair@soshelpline.org
Enquiries admin@soshelpline.org
SSAFA the Armed Forces Charity/SSAFA France
SSAFA has provided lifelong support to our Forces and their families since 1885.
Last year our team of volunteers in France helped some 200 people. Our support covers financial, welfare and administrative needs for veterans and their families in France, also some Merchant Navy and British Airways veterans.
Should you, or someone you know, need help, wish to volunteer for casework, support the lonely, or assist with fund-raising, then please contact 06 83 85 39 09 or France.branch@ssafa.org.uk
Chairman: Keith Cima, Tel: 05 53 24 92 38, Keith.Cima@France.ssafa.org.uk
Secretary: Mrs Lesley Blake, Lesley.Blake@France.ssafa.co.uk
Sunnybank Association
Sunnybank Association is involved in The Victoria Residential Care Home and the Albert Retirement Apartments, operated by the French company EMERA (victoria@emera.fr), and the running of ‘The Grange’, Sunnybank Association’s headquarters, social centre and library, open 10 am to 3 pm every Thursday, with an ‘open house’ every third Saturday.
Sunnybank Association also supports elderly Anglophone residents who are unable financially to meet their retirement home needs in South-East of France (Alpes-Maritimes and the Var regions).
Address : 815 chemin des Gourettes 06370 Mouans-Sartoux, Tel: 04 93 47 94 20
President: Jeremy Daynes, info@sunny-bank.org
Secretary: Jill Shepperd
Treasurer: Mike Kenington
Women for Women France
Women for Women France empowers foreign-born people facing domestic violence in France to assert their rights, re-establish independence, and thrive.
The association created and manages the national Multilingual Online Resource Centre for all victims of domestic abuse in France and the professionals who support them: www.womenforwomenfrance.org
CEO: Sarah McGrath (she/elle)