FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers to the questions we're asked most often — about who we are, how membership works, and where your money goes.

Questions

What People Ask

Why did you choose the name "Wyvern"?

The wyvern is an ancient symbol associated with England and the heraldic traditions of our medieval past. We chose it because it represents continuity, strength and guardianship. For us, it symbolises our belief that a living culture is something we inherit from previous generations, strengthen in our own time, and pass on to those who come after us.

What is The Wyvern Fellowship?

We're a not for profit, private company limited by guarantee, established for public benefit, and run as a nationally connected network of individuals, families and local groups across the UK. Our work spans mutual aid and community resilience, support for families, cultural heritage and events, research and lawful advocacy, and education and skills-building.

Are you a registered charity?

No. We're established for public benefit but we are not a registered charity, and we're not recognised by HMRC for charitable tax purposes. That means we can't claim Gift Aid, and donations to us aren't tax-deductible; we say this plainly rather than let anyone assume otherwise.

What happens to the money we raise?

The money is locked to the work, too. There are no shares, no dividends, and no leftover cash for directors or members to take home. If the Fellowship ever wound up, anything left over would have to go to another non-profit doing similar work, not back to us. Directors and staff can be paid a fair amount for work they actually do, but they can't treat the organisation as a pot to profit from. This isn't just a promise — our Articles impose an asset lock: income and property must be applied solely to our objects, and no surplus can be distributed to members.

What's the difference between a Fellow, a National Fellow and a Local Fellow?

A Fellow is anyone holding a paid subscription — Bronze, Silver, Gold or Patron — and it's open to anyone who wants to join. National Fellow and Local Fellow are different: those are standing and leadership roles appointed at the discretion of our directors, not something you can buy or sign up for directly. If you're interested in either, you can register your interest and the directors will consider it.

What do the membership tiers include, and how do I choose?

Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Patron offer expanding tiers of benefits for paid Fellows. Access grows with each level, from essential resources at Bronze through to exclusive opportunities like Gold's entry into Wyvern's internal project groups. Full details and pricing are on the Fellowship page, and you can change tier at any time.

What's the difference between becoming a Fellow and making a donation?

A subscription (Bronze through Patron) buys you a specific package of benefits. A donation is a straightforward gift, given with nothing expected in return, and isn't a way to unlock membership benefits. If you want the benefits, take out a subscription instead. Both routes support the same work; they're just structured differently.

Can I cancel or change my subscription?

Yes — you're free to change tier or cancel at any time through your account. Cancelling stops future billing; it doesn't retroactively refund what's already been paid, in line with our Fellow Terms.

What are Local Chapters, and can I start one near me?

Local Chapters are Wyvern's own presence in a particular area — not independent organisations in their own right. If there isn't one near you yet, you can register your interest in starting one, and it would run under our name and terms rather than as a separate entity.

How do you use my personal data?

Exactly as set out in our Privacy Notice. We only use it for the purposes we tell you about there, and you have the usual rights over your own data. Worth a proper read rather than a one-line summary here, since it's a legal document in its own right.

I don't want to pay — how else can I get involved?

Plenty of ways: read and share the Journal, register interest in a Local Chapter or as a National Fellow, get in touch through the Get Involved page, or simply follow and support us on social media. Paid membership is not the only door in.

Still Have a Question?

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We're happy to help with anything not covered above.