Awards Panel, assessment & other useful information

The Awards Panel reviews all submissions from which a shortlist is drawn up.  Short-listed projects for The Innovation for Living Award, The Inspirational Homes Award and The Patron’s Award* will be visited by Committee members.

Message from Simon Pott, Chair of the Awards Panel

“As some of you know, the judges of The Patron’s Award and The Almshouse Association Awards travel around the country to review your submissions and see, first-hand, the passion and commitment you have to ensure your resident’s homes are safe, warm, and secure and that your almshouses leave a legacy in perpetuity for future generations to come.

The committee assesses projects which may be in line for the esteemed Patron’s Award and submit those recommendations to HRH The former Prince of Wales for his review and it is His Royal Highness that makes the final decision.  We have welcomed His Royal Highnesses’ most gracious input and feedback and are honoured that our Royal Patron has a special interest in the almshouse movement and a passion for almshouses and their valuable legacy.

This year, we have also worked closely with The Almshouse Association to streamline the guidelines for the awards to encourage members to submit their projects, whether they are improvements, renovations, or extensions. Your submissions are so important. They act as exemplars for other members to undertake redevelopment work.  If you are thinking of carrying out any work, the team at The Almshouse Association are always on hand to offer advice, financial assistance (where appropriate), and lots of encouragement if projects seem daunting, so please don’t be put off by any initial challenges. The Association can help you and guide you.

Even small changes can make a significant improvement to the lives of residents and are much encouraged. We have wonderful examples of new windows improving the warmth and comfort of residents’ homes and window boxes inspiring them to create their own cottage gardens, supporting community spirit.

If you have undertaken any remedial work, created outside community spaces, developed communal living areas or redeveloped your almshouses, or, built new ones, please let us know what you have done, whether you had to overcome obstacles, and the outcomes.  We would welcome the opportunity to hear all about it and come and visit you.

The submission forms have been simplified so sending in an entry is not onerous and the three updated awards allow for a more wide-ranging opportunity to get involved. Please do join us in celebrating your almshouses and send in your submissions. We look forward to hearing from you!”

ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONS

1. AWARDS VISITS

The format for visits to shortlisted projects usually includes:

  • A presentation by the trustees, based on the application. The architect and any other consultants should also be present
  • Tour of the project with the opportunity to meet residents
  • General discussion with trustees and any attending consultants

2. THE PATRON’S AWARD*

From the award-winning recipients of The Innovation for Living Award and The Inspirational Homes Award, a second shortlist is selected by the Awards Panel which will then be put forward for the Patron’s Award. The Patron’s Award is judged wholly by our Royal Patron and is not always awarded every year. Additional elements that the panel may take into account are referenced in the Patron’s Award Design Brief here.

Please note:  The Patron’s Award Design Brief will be updated to reflect the changes within the Monarchy in due course.

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 are brought into use.  An extension of one year will be considered for projects completed towards the end of a calendar year. Where the trustees have employed the services of a Consultant from the Association’s Panel, they will also receive a certificate signed by our Royal Patron.  The Patron’s Award logo will also be placed after the Consultant’s name in the Association’s Annual Report and on the Association’s website.

3. THE PATRON’S AWARD PLAQUE AND CERTIFICATE

The Award plaque has been designed by The Prince’s Foundation.  It consists of a cast bronze plaque to be placed on the building. Award winning charities also receive a certificate signed by our Royal Patron. 

4. THE ALMSHOUSE ASSOCIATION AWARDS

All Charities receiving an award will be presented with an Award certificate, signed by the Chair of the Association, at the next scheduled Almshouse Association event.

5. PUBLICITY

Awards will be published in the Association’s Annual Report, the Almshouses Gazette, on The Almshouse Association website and our social media accounts. The Almshouse Association (and/or anyone /company /agency working on their behalf) reserves the right to make use of any and all pictures submitted or taken in connection with The Almshouse Association Awards in and/or for any lawful promotional materials including, but not limited to, newsletters, flyers, posters, brochures, advertisements, fundraising letters, annual reports, press kits and submissions to journalists, websites, social networking sites and other print and digital communications, without payment or any other consideration. This authorisation extends to all languages, media, formats and markets now known or later discovered. This authorisation shall continue indefinitely, unless otherwise revoked in writing. The right to inspect or approve any finished product including written or electronic copy is waived by the charity, as well as the right to any royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of the photographs.

6. TIMETABLE

The closing date for applications for projects completed in 2024 to reach The Almshouse Association is 30th January 2026.

Click here to return to The Almshouse Association Awards Main Page