2025 Awards

It is a great pleasure for The Almshouse Association to announce The 2025 Almshouse Association Award winners for 2024 projects and developments.

The Almshouse Association Awards showcase the outstanding achievements of our members in almshouse development and the building of new almshouses. Their hard work, dedication and inspiring innovations not only enrich the lives of almshouse residents, they support the continued longevity of the almshouse movement.

Following visits to our short-listed finalists, The Almshouse Association Awards Panel is excited to announce this year’s deserving winners.

THE ALMSHOUSE ASSOCIATION 2025 GARDENS AND PEOPLE AWARD WINNERS

– The Municipal Charities of Dover
– The Eventide Homes, Bournemouth
– Lady Hewley’s Charity, York

The Municipal Charities of Dover

  • Transformed an unused plot of land into an accessible, community-centred space
  • A stunning backdrop for residents, families, and friends to gather and enjoy the sunshine
  • Celebrates the site’s rich history while embracing a forward-looking vision
  • Marks the first step in a 10-year plan to rejuvenate the grounds
  • Enhances accessibility, supports biodiversity and mirrors the beauty of the western chalk downs.

The Eventide Homes, Bournemouth

  • The residents gardening club planted sunflower seeds outside their homes, while others nurtured young plants in the communal greenhouse
  • Vibrant hanging baskets were created and displayed, bringing colour and life across the estate
  • A new group of plant lovers now supports neighbours with garden upkeep, replanting and keeping the community green and welcoming.

Lady Hewley’s Charity, York

  • A once-ancient graveyard has been beautifully transformed into a fully accessible, light-filled garden
  • Thoughtful design features include a pergola, wooden benches, a summerhouse and raised vegetable beds, creating a welcoming, functional space
  • Now a vibrant, well-used space for residents to relax, connect, and grow.

                                                                                “It’s been a gamechanger”

THE ALMSHOUSE ASSOCIATION 2025 INNOVATION FOR LIVING AWARD WINNER

– Walton Charity, Surrey
– The Earl of Southampton Trust
– Hudson’s & Storer’s Charities, Melton Mowbray
– Kendal Almshouse Charity

Walton Charity, Surrey

  • Three inspiring community projects highlight the power of partnership and collaboration
  • Two new almshouses built to provide much-needed housing for local keyworkers
  • A resident-led growing initiative launched with support from corporate volunteers, who also built garden planters
  • RHS Wisley’s outreach team joined the residents’ gardening club; volunteers later constructed a shed, which was proudly painted by a resident.

The Earl of Southampton Trust

  • A beautiful conversion thoughtfully designed to preserve historic, listed features
  • Seamlessly incorporates modern amenities for contemporary living
  • Includes eco-friendly upgrades to enhance sustainability
  • A harmonious blend of heritage and innovation.

Hudson’s & Storer’s Charities, Melton Mowbray

  • Beeby’s Yard – Four new almshouses created from a restored 1940s derelict horse yard
  • Fully converted historic stables and lofts, donated and adjacent to the 1642 Bedehouse
  • Generous funding expanded capacity from 4 to 10–12 residents
  • Project revived a once-dwindling community, enhancing a collegiate-style estate with cobbled courtyards.

Barnstaple Almshouses

  • Outstanding historic conversion – The Old School House
  • Beautiful transformation of a 17th-century building into almshouse accommodation
  • Purchased and restored by the Charity to meet Grade II listed standards
  • Sympathetic design preserved original character while updating for modern use
  • Now serves as a stunning home for older members of the local community.

Kendal Almshouse Charity

  • Transformed a derelict 1950s brownfield site into two new single-storey semi-detached almshouses for over-50s with strong local ties and in housing need
  • Delivered high-quality, energy-efficient homes using natural materials, including timber frame, timber cladding, and a slate roof
  • Integrated sustainable technologies such as air source heat pumps, PV panels, Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery, airtight construction and low-energy lighting
  • Achieved energy performance 58% better than current Part L Building Regulations standards.

THE ALMSHOUSE ASSOCIATION 2025 INSPIRATIONAL HOMES AWARD WINNER

– Ufford Charities (Non-Ecclesiastical Charities), Woodridge, Suffolk
– The Richmond Charities, London
– Uxbridge United Welfare Trust
– The Anthony Gell & The Anthony Bunting Almshouse Charity, Derbyshire

Ufford Charities (Non-Ecclesiastical Charities) 

  • 17th-century almshouses modernised for elderly residents, including those with mobility needs
  • Rear extensions added; interiors reconfigured with accessible wet rooms and open kitchen-diners
  • Upgraded heating, insulation, roofing, and restored or renewed windows and flooring
  • Improved accessibility with wider doorways and wheelchair-friendly paths.

The Richmond Charities

  • Sustainable excellence – Elizabeth Twining Almshouses
  • Five new single-storey, one-bedroom almshouses for over-65s of limited means
  • Built on an ‘L’ shaped, underused former garage site, adjacent to existing almshouse facilities
  • Fully Passivhaus certified and wheelchair accessible, designed to be net-zero carbon with minimal utility costs
  • Promotes long-term financial security and well-being for future residents.

Uxbridge United Welfare Trust

  • Redevelopment of Ossulton Court in Uxbridge to replace an old almshouse, creating 20 new almshouse homes for 22 residents plus 10 rental units.
  • Designed for older adults, offering energy-efficient, self-contained homes with underfloor heating, sliding doors, and modern wet rooms
  • Includes 7 wheelchair-ready units; all others are adaptable for future mobility needs
  • Apartments come with built-in kitchens and integrated appliances
  • A central courtyard garden and shared community room foster social connection and wellbeing.

The Anthony Gell & The Anthony Bunting Almshouse Charity, Derbyshire

  • Major upgrade of 440-year-old Grade II listed almshouse buildings using modern, proven technologies
  • Refurbishment and enhancement of the surrounding gardens
  • Volunteers were actively encouraged to participate in the renovation process with involvement aimed at fostering a deeper connection to the site’s history and preservation
  • Led by the charity overseeing the almshouses, combining heritage conservation with community building.

Many congratulations to all our award winners and to every one of our members whose passion and dedication are the foundation of the almshouse movement.

These Awards don’t just recognise individual achievements, they celebrate the collective spirit, commitment and care that define our entire membership.

Our members are the lifeblood of the almshouse community and we’re proud to shine a spotlight on some of their incredible work as a reflection of the wider almshouse family.

PREVIOUS AWARD WINNERS….