CISWO, a charitable trust established to improve the lives of former miners and their families in England, Scotland, and Wales, finds itself at the center of a heated debate. Formed following the privatisation of the coal industry in 1995, the organisation has been criticised for not reinvesting locally after selling 27 sites over the past 14 years, raising £12.2 million. Most of these funds have remained with CISWO, leaving ex-miners and their families questioning the organisation's commitment to their communities.
The charity, which boasts a network of 400 miners' welfares, grounds, centres, and convalescent homes, has faced backlash for cutting services and reducing its grant spending. Reports indicate a significant decline in support, with personal welfare payments reaching only 2,439 people in 2023, compared to nearly 10,000 in 2016—a staggering 75% decrease.
Despite CISWO's financial gains from transferring assets such as property and land following the dissolution of other mining charities, many former miners feel left behind. Ian Gaskell expressed his "disappointment" over CISWO's reluctance to provide financial assistance, stating, "We've appealed to CISWO financially… in every case they've said no." Similarly, Terry Gormley lamented that "the money doesn't come to the local people as it should."
The organisation has invested in certain projects, such as supporting a recreational ground in Maltby and leasing it to the town council for 25 years. CISWO also contributed nearly £100,000 towards a nearby 3G football pitch. However, critics argue that these efforts fall short of addressing the widespread needs of former mining communities.
In 2020, CISWO sold Dinnington's old miners' clubhouse and land to housing developers for £875,000. This transaction further fueled criticism from a group of cross-party MPs who published a report in 2023 urging CISWO to clarify its strategic direction. The MPs claimed that CISWO's focus on national funding allocation did not adequately address local needs, stating, "We do not accept that this would not be feasible."
CISWO contends that it cannot limit investments to one geographical area and emphasizes its responsibility to support former miners and their families across the country. The organisation reported an average annual income of approximately £1.1 million from its £30 million long-term investment funds in 2023.
A female former miner highlighted the importance of local support facilities: "We would be lost if we hadn't got this place to come to." This sentiment underscores the vital role such spaces play in the lives of former miners and their families.