THE PATRON’S AWARD

A CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE FOR AN ALMSHOUSE PROJECT

INTRODUCTION

HRH The Prince of Wales, Patron of the Almshouse Association, has introduced an awards scheme to encourage the highest standards in almshouse developments. In making these awards, he is advised by an Awards Committee.

An award (called the Patron’s Award) is made to the Trustees of an Almshouse Charity considered to have completed an outstanding project in the previous Calendar Year. For the purposes of this award completion is when Almshouses are occupied or other facilities brought into use.

An extension of one year will be considered for projects completed towards the end of a calendar year.

The first year for consideration was the year ending 31st December 2000.

There is no limit to the number of awards for excellence that may be given each year.

PROJECTS

The following projects are eligible for consideration:

a. Restoration, improvement or modernisation of existing Almshouses.

b. Acquisition and conversion of buildings to Almshouses.

c. New Almshouse development.

d. Development of communal facilities.

e. Adaptation of Almshouses to support independent living.

AWARDS COMMITTEE

An Awards Committee has been established. It comprises:

Chairman – A Vice Patron of the Almshouse Association

Two members of the Executive Committee

Two members of the Panel of Consultants

Representative of The Prince’s Foundation.

It may co-opt other members as considered appropriate.

Members of the Committee usually serve for 2-3 years.

ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONS

This Committee will receive and study all applications from which a short-list will be drawn up. It has been the practice for two/three members of this Committee to visit all short-listed projects, and this is likely to continue. After final consideration, recommendations are submitted to the Patron and, subject to his endorsement, awards are announced to successful applicants.

The format for visits to short-listed projects usually includes:

Presentation by Trustees, based on the application (architect and any other
consultants should be present).

Tour of the project (with opportunity to meet Residents).

Discussion with Trustees and consultants.

STANDARD

The standard will be at the discretion of the Awards Committee. The Committee will be looking for excellence in every aspect of a project – architecture, conservation (including craftsmanship and respect for old fabric) and design. Projects should meet the standards outlined in Chapter 3 of “Support & Care for Residents” (Fifth Edition).

In the case of new developments the Committee will be looking for attractive Almshouses that sit well in their environment. They should be designed for the Residents: in the case of older people they should be ‘homes for life’.

For Listed Almshouses the Committee will be looking for very high standards of restoration and conservation balanced with the need for them to be functional and affordable homes.

In the case of improvement and refurbishment of existing Almshouses, the Committee will also focus on excellence but take into account the options available and any constraints that may be imposed by funding issues and the environment, design and layout within which the architect and Trustees may have to work.

The Committee will also take into account the fitness of the project for its intended purpose and the treatment of the context in which the project sits where this is a relevant consideration.

The use of local craftsmen and materials will normally be an important consideration.

TIME TABLE

Closing date for applications to reach the Director is 1st February each year.

Announcements of any Awards will be made at the Annual General Meeting in June each year. Presentations will be arranged (where possible) when The Patron is visiting an almshouse charity.

Awards will be published in the Association’s Annual Report and in the Almshouses Gazette.

APPLICATIONS

Download application form

Applications should be submitted by the Chairman of the Trustees to The Director of The Almshouse Association who provides secretarial support to the Committee. For projects completed in 2005, and subsequent years, a proforma application form has been introduced. It accompanies this Guidance Note. The aim is to make the process of application easier in order to encourage Trustees to enter projects for consideration. All applications for 2007 MUST be made on this application form. It is available electronically from the Almshouse Association.

Applications, together with supporting documentation and photographs may be submitted electronically.

The application must consist of:

Statement by the Trustees (the objective, the problems and the achievement). The financial implications, how they were addressed, and value for money should be included. Trustees must also include a statement on sustainability and energy saving measures which have been incorporated in the buildings. Please draft this as an Executive Summary of your Charity’s application.

Consultant’s feasibility study (or description of design parameters), detailed drawings and Practical Completion Certificate. There should be a Context Plan 1:500 and a Location Plan. Also a relevant plan with section elevations at 1:100.

Please give specific details of cost of project and how it was funded.

A portfolio of good quality photographs (general views to show environment, external and internal views - before and after a refurbishment project, and detailed coverage of specific features). One photograph should be highlighted for use in Press releases. These can be submitted as hard copies or electronically.

Video and Powerpoint are not essential but may be used.

THE AWARD

The award has been designed by The Prince’s Foundation. It consists of a shield to be placed on the building and a certificate. Highly Commended projects will receive a certificate(s).

PANEL CONSULTANT

Where the Trustees have employed a Consultant from the Association’s Panel he/she will also receive a Certificate. A symbol (the Association’s logo) will be placed after the Consultant’s name in the Association’s Annual Report.

Revised October 2007