Phil Smith, a resident at a Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI) Care Company Home, The Tithebarn, in Liverpool, is passionate about two things, painting and helping people. To celebrate his 75th birthday, Phil arranged an art exhibition at Moor Lane Methodist Church with support from the Home’s staff and his goal was to raise money for charity.
Fellow residents and staff members from The Tithebarn, along with neighbours from the local area, attended the exhibition where a wide selection of his paintings was displayed for visitors to enjoy. They ranged from colourful birds to leafy countryside landscapes, his art portrays nature in a vivid way.
Phil sold several paintings, raising a total of £130, which he then donated to the British Red Cross. “I saw the news and decided to do something for the people in the Middle East conflict,” he says, “I’m very happy to be able to give something to the charity at this time.”
Although painting was his favourite subject at school, Phil only started painting seriously when he was in his 30s. Launching an art exhibition was something he hadn’t even thought about. “My friend Richard suggested the idea because I have a lot of paintings in my room,” he explains. “I’ve given many to fellow residents and have some displayed here at The Tithebarn, but I also wanted them to go to people who would appreciate them. I call this ‘the joy of giving’.”
RMBI Care Co, The Tithebarn, in Liverpool, run by RMBI Care Co, is part of the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF). RMBI Care Co provides residential care, nursing care and residential dementia support to older Freemasons, their families and people in the wider community. They have been caring for older people for over 180 years and today, they support over 1,000 residents across 17 care homes in England and Wales, with a focus on wellbeing and quality outcomes.
They treat each person as an individual and they believe that everyone should be able to enjoy later life as they are there to help the residents stay as independent as possible. Above all, they live by our values, kind, supportive and trusted. For more information, please 
RMBI Care Co. is part of the Masonic Charitable Foundation, funded entirely by Freemasons, MCF builds better lives by encouraging opportunity, promoting independence and improving wellbeing. For more information, please For any further information, please contact; Gonzalo Mellado, Marketing Team, by emailing; gmellado@rmbi.org.uk
