Jonathan Paine, Member Support Manager at The PGA, is helping to shape our new-and- improved mechanism designed to offer you help and support when you need it the most
We know it’s early days for PGA Care – (PGA Benevolent Fund) – but tell us what it is
PGA Care is the new support system for Members – a one-stop place where you can come to us for help, advice, and wellbeing support. It’s about making sure no PGA Member ever feels they have to face life’s challenges on their own.
Where are we up to with PGA Care and what can we expect to see in the months ahead?
We’ve already brought together the old benevolent fund, our welfare services, and wellbeing resources into one joined-up programme. Members can now access practical advice, financial help, and confidential support far more easily. Over the next few months, we’ll be adding more proactive wellbeing initiatives – things like workshops, resources, and preventative support – so that Members can stay healthy and secure before issues become overwhelming.
What kind of things can PGA Care help with?
It’s a really wide range. Debt advice, mental health support, counselling, physical and wellbeing guidance, career or employment advice, even help during illness or bereavement. If you’re facing a challenge, chances are PGA Care and the Member Services Team can help.
Pictured: PGA Coach Darren Scholes was given support after he suffered a stroke in 2024
What is the difference between PGA Care and the old benevolent fund?
The benevolent fund was hugely important, but it mainly focused on financial help when Members hit hard times. PGA Care still offers that crucial safety net, but it goes further – it now includes wellbeing services, mental health support, legal and financial advice, and preventative programmes. It’s a much more rounded and modern way of looking after each other.
Explain your particular passion for PGA Care and your role within it
I moved to the Member Services team at the start of the year from my role as Regional Manager for the North. Having worked in and around members for 18 years I have seen the struggles of Members and always tried to help, now I can help shape how PGA Care should look and feel with that background. My passion comes from wanting to make sure every Member knows they have somewhere to turn – whether they want employment support, someone to talk to, or just a bit of guidance at a tough time. My role is to make sure the support we offer is practical, easily accessible, compassionate, and truly reflects the needs of our Members today.
You have described PGA Care as ‘pros looking after pros – just as we have been doing since 1901’. How are you trying to modernise the system
That spirit of pros helping pros has been at the heart of The PGA since day one.
What’s different now is the way we deliver it. Life has changed a lot since 1901 – and so have the pressures on our Members. We’re modernising by making support more accessible, more confidential, and more wide-ranging – from 24/7 counselling lines to online resources and practical advice that reflects the realities of modern professional life.
If we can get Members talking with each other, learning how to spot the signs of struggle and sharing their struggles with others I truly believe that’s what PGA Care will become ‘pros helping pros’ – and what better support network for Members than their peers.
Is it fair to say that one of the guiding principles with PGA Care is that prevention is better than cure?
Definitely. Of course, we’ll always be there in times of crisis, but we want to do more than that.
By offering preventative tools and early support, we can help Members avoid reaching that crisis point in the first place. Education will form a lot of the work we do over the coming months.
Who else at The PGA is involved with PGA Care?
It’s a real team effort. People right across The PGA are involved, from Membership Services to Education to Media, all working together with specialist external partners who bring expertise in counselling, financial advice, and wellbeing. It’s very much the whole of The PGA behind PGA Care. A lot of information will begin to be seen not just on the website but on social media and Member newsletters.
Pictured: PGA Coach Graham Neville was given support after being diagnosed with cancer in 2021
How should Members reach out for help?
The key message is: please don’t wait. If you’re struggling or just unsure, reach out. You can contact us through the dedicated PGA Care webpage, through HQ, or by speaking directly to a Member Services Manager. Whatever way works best for you, we’ll be there.
If a Member is worried about another member, we want to have that conversation and make contact with the Member in question.
We are also working with Red Umbrella to make the process easier of self-referral to Mental Health Support for those Members who perhaps don’t feel ready to come direct to us – which is fine – we want to make access as easy as possible.
How do we help Members on wellbeing?
Wellbeing is central to PGA Care. That means access to confidential counselling, stress and resilience resources, advice on work-life balance, and even practical health guidance. It’s about supporting Members not just as professionals, but as people.
“If we can get Members talking with each other, learning how to spot the signs of struggle and sharing their struggles with others I truly believe that’s what PGA Care will become ‘pros helping pros’ – and what better support network for Members than their peers” - Jonathan Paine
How are cases judged and what is the process when an application for help is received?
Every bit of support is treated with absolute confidentiality and compassion.
The process is simple: once a Member gets in touch with the Member Support Managers we listen, assess what support is needed, and then connect them to the right service or support them through the process.
If the support needed is something the PGA Care Trustees need to support with, then a PGA Care case form is created with input from the Member in question and sent to the Charity trustees. The PGA Care trustees meet quarterly to discuss the ongoing and new cases to consider the allocation of grants and resources.
What is your over-riding message to Members?
You are not on your own. Whatever stage of your career you’re at, PGA Care & The PGA team is here for you
