Bread Fund

Plans are afoot to set up a Notts Bread Fund for self-employed people to support each other if they become unable to work through illness or injury.

It needs at least 25 self-employed people (or people in similar situations e.g. zero hours or part-time jobs with no sick pay). There is sufficient interest to hope that 25 people will be able to come together on Thursday 10th March at 8pm at Sumac to get this started.

Because Bread Funds in the UK are still in the pilot phase, you need to be willing to experiment, accepting that there may be changes to what is initially agreed when you join. But you are also a pioneer, helping build mutual support for freelancers at a time of cutbacks in welfare support.

For more info see this Guardian article and the breadfunds.uk website which explains more about the concept (also available as a pdf flier).

Bread Funds are a new way for self-employed people and freelancers to support each other if they become unable to work.

A Bread Fund is a group of 25 to 50 people who contribute money each month into a fund which can support any of its members who become unable to work through illness or injury. It operates by members supporting each other on the basis of mutual trust.

Contributions to the fund, and payments by the fund to its members, are in the form of gifts. You can choose from different levels of contributions: the level you choose is related to the income you would like to receive if you become unable to work.

If you become unable to work, after 30 days the fund can start providing you with a modest income. This can continue for up to two years, though most people get back to work within a few months.

If you decide to leave, you can if you wish to apply for your contributions to be refunded less admin costs and any gifts made, though anyone receiving support must stay a member for at least two years in total.