Celebrating 80 years of community, heritage and hope
The Almshouse Association was founded 80 years ago by you, our members. Born out of the austerity and uncertainty of wartime Britain, and at a moment when new legislation and emerging models of social housing were placing intense pressure on almshouse trustees, the early leaders of the almshouse movement recognised a vital truth: to survive and to flourish, almshouses needed a collective voice. They needed to come together as a network.
Our predecessors showed remarkable foresight
They understood that the almshouse model was not becoming obsolete; on the contrary, it was becoming more necessary than ever. They recognised that housing provision alone, as envisaged by the new Welfare State, was not enough. People in need required more than a roof over their heads – they needed community. Almshouse trustees, too, needed a community beyond their individual charities, and Government needed to understand that this great national asset had enduring value for both todayā€™s residents and future generations.
We will be using our 80th anniversary to highlight the unique value of almshouse charities, to raise funds to support existing charities, encourage the building of new almshouses, help new charities form, and uphold the founding principle that no resident should ever be lonely in an almshouse.
None of this would be possible without the outstanding leadership and commitment of trustees, clerks, wardens and volunteers across 1,600 almshouse charities throughout the UK.
We look forward to sharing our 80th anniversary with you.
The Almshouse Association team
posted 22 January 2025