Our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant
The United Grand Lodge of England will demonstrate that we are an Armed Forces-friendly organisation, to our members, staff, customers, suppliers, contractors and wider public, through our commitments to the Armed Forces community in this pledge and Covenant.
Freemasons use four important guiding principles to help define their path through life: Integrity, Friendship, Respect and Charity. UGLE takes pride in our commitment to excellence, integrity, respect, innovation, teamwork, and growth. Membership is open to people from all backgrounds and the organisation’s aim is to empower members to be the best they can be.
UGLE gained it’s Investors in People Accreditation Silver Status in November 2021. We were also shortlisted for the Investors in People Awards in 2020 for the Health and Wellbeing and Leader of the Year categories. We put an enormous effort into supporting, encouraging and developing the health and wellbeing of our staff.
UGLE’s six core values (Excellence, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, Teamwork and Growth) define what UGLE believes in and the behaviours as an employer and employee we agree to live by. Staff respect and believe in our values which not only motivate and, engage but provide guidance and security.
Throughout our 300 years of history, UGLE and our members have enjoyed a positive relationship with the armed forces throughout, creating Lodges for active and retired servicemen, sometimes connected to specific branches of the armed forces, sometimes to specific regiments and sometimes for servicemen in general. Military Freemasons helped Freemasonry move from being a small London based organisation into an international movement with many independent Grand Lodges all over the world. After both World Wars Freemasonry saw a massive influx of military personnel seeking the commaradary they missed within Lodges up and down the country. Freemasonry held many attractions to servicemen, at home and abroad. Membership of a Lodge could encourage comradeship and a sense of belonging. It could be educational and character building. It could provide a refuge in hard times or a home from home when stationed abroad. Sometimes, it was something to occupy the time or to relieve the boredom of garrison life. To ex-soldiers Freemasonry is seen as a continuation of elements of the service carrier, whether that is helping others, dressing for an occasion or the friendship of their mess.
Employment of veterans - recognising military skills and qualifications in our recruitment and selection process, and working with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP) to support the employment of Service leavers. Our members also benefit from the Circuit of Service Lodges which was formed in 1993. The Circuit exists to promote inter-visiting and thus fosters greater awareness of these special interest Lodges. The Circuit also marches as a platoon past the Cenotaph each Remembrance Sunday, arranges battlefield tours, and holds social and other events throughout the year.
In addition, UGLE also supports the Royal British Legion, by providing volunteers to help with its Poppy Appeal, to generate funds for the support of the Armed Services.
About us
Freemasons’ Hall in Covent Garden London. Home to the United Grand Lodge of England, Freemasons’ Hall is a grade II* listed, art deco masterpiece, the centre of English Freemasonry, and hosts the Museum of Freemasonry and the Library. In 2019 there were 40,000 visitors to the Museum and Library, 120,000 visits by member for meetings and 50,000 guests attending private events. The Open House London weekend in Sept 2019 attracted nearly 9,000 visitors over 2 days.
The United Grand Lodge of England – the governing body for Freemasonry in the UK and Wales – is entering an exciting new phase in its 300-year history as it seeks to change the perception of Freemasonry and encourage the public to see modern Freemasonry through its core values of Friendship, Charity, Respect and Integrity. Freemasons raise £44m in charitable donations and give 5 million hours of volunteer time a year – so there is a lot to shout about – and much to be proud of.