Moor Field: solar POWER project

Many thanks to the trustees of Sponne and Bickerstaffe Charity for sending in a case study on the completion of the solar power installation with the help of an Almshouse Association interest free loan.

About the Charity

In 1445, Archdeacon William Sponne, the Rector of Towcester, died and through his will a Charity was formed to benefit the residents of Towcester in various ways.  In 1689 Towcester-born Thomas Bickerstaffe, who became a successful merchant in London, founded a charity to lease a piece of land and built three “Alms-Houses for the labouring poor of Towcester”.

The Sponne and Bickerstaffe charities were merged in 1782 and other bequests of land and money were received over the years.  The original almshouses were maintained and added to, but began to fall into disrepair and in 1982 the site was sold.  At that time, the charity owned a parcel of land on the (then) outskirts of Towcester.  Part of this land was sold to a housing developer and the proceeds of the sale were used to build the current almshouse complex, Moor Field, on the remainder of the land.

Profitable and low-carbon electricity almshouses

Moor Field consists of 12 self-contained bungalows heated by electric storage heaters and a house for the on-site warden.  There is also a separate communal room, a kitchen and a laundry room housing washing machines and tumble dryers.  The common rooms are used by the 15 residents for social events and by the Charity Trustees for its monthly meetings.  Other community groups from Towcester also use the common room for their activities.

The bungalows’ storage heaters were becoming more expensive to run (especially over the last 18 months) and accounted for a significant part of the site’s carbon footprint. For many years the Trustees anguished over what to do to modernise the heating methods and to make Moor Field more environmentally sustainable.

scaffolding goes up

In 2021 we were lucky enough to receive a grant from the (now closed) Rural Communities Energy Fund (RCEF) to carry out an energy audit of Moor Field.  We used this grant to engage the energy and environmental consultants Ricardo to perform an in-depth energy survey, to recommend a way forward to provide a cost effective and low-carbon solution to the heating problem and to identify potential sources of grants to fund the recommended scheme.

Ricardo quickly confirmed something we suspected – several of the residents could not keep their homes warm enough in winter.  This is a serious situation for the almshouse residents who can be elderly and not very mobile.  Clearly, we needed to do something.  Ricardo’s project recommended that we address this problem by replacing the storage radiators with air source heat pumps (ASHP) and installing a photovoltaic (PV) solar cell system to provide electricity for use by the site.

The cost of implementing these measures would have exceeded the reserves of the Charity (and indeed those of many almshouses) so Ricardo and the Charity’s trustees investigated sources of grant funding.  Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that Government grants at the time excluded social housing which was a big stumbling block to Moor Field.

In early 2022, with ever increasing electricity prices, the Moor Field Trustees decided we needed to do something, and that our first priority was to install solar panels to help negate the effects of the energy crisis we were going through at the time.

Sourcing funding and inviting tenders

In mid 2022, we investigated many other funding options, and concluded that The Almshouse Association interest free loan would be our best option. With further support from Ricardo, we quickly formulated a tender specification and contacted several companies and invited them to tender for the work.  Next we completed our application (with much help from The Almshouse Association staff) and were able to demonstrate that the project was cost-effective using our preferred contractor.

As part of the application process, The Almshouse Association required a business plan along with financial modelling of the scheme.  Once again, The Almshouse Association’s financial forecasting template and advice from The Almshouse Association staff proved invaluable.  Our plan was to use the savings from reducing the amount of power bought in from the grid along with the sale of any surplus power to the grid to repay The Almshouse Association loan.  The remaining profits would be shared between the charity and the residents. Fortunately, our application to The Almshouse Association was successful and we were able to proceed with the project.

With help from Ricardo we analysed the tenders and settled on the quote from Cahill Renewables who quoted for a 42 kW Solar PV array with the option of adding battery storage at a later date.

Neat and accessible control panels

The installation

In early May we accepted the quote and paid the deposit and an installation date of 31 July 2023 was agreed.  Cahill Renewables arrived on time on 31 July and the installation was completed by Wednesday 2 August.  We were very pleased with the standard and quality of work. Carhill Renewables were very considerate of our residents and as you can see from the photograph provided a very neat and professional installation.

We started generating electricity on 2 August and early indications based on the first two months suggest a site saving of £15/day.  This will increase once the paperwork to allow payments for exported power is completed (this process can take up to two months to complete).

The next steps

Over the coming months we will start to see the financial benefits of the PV scheme and to share the benefits between the charity and the residents.

Meanwhile, we are continuing to search for grants to fund the ASHP scheme while the trustees weigh the benefits this will bring in terms of vastly-reduced heating costs and lower carbon emissions against the risks of being an ‘early adopter’ of this relatively new technology.

In conclusion, we would certainly recommend that other almshouses consider installing PV power – warmer residents and a lower carbon footprint!

UPDATE! This month (October/November 2023) we have been able to reduce our resident’s day rate for electricity by 5p per unit .

posted 7 November 2023

Southwark’s Appleby Blue Almshouses

A newly developed social housing project which reimagines the almshouse concept for modern, inner-city living

as published by Housing LIN – Appleby Blue – Inspirational Achievements – Resources – Housing LIN

United St. Saviour’s Charity has worked to support the people and communities of Southwark for almost 500 years. Uniting the people and charitable organisations in the borough, it tackles social need through a unique grant making programme and helps to build strong, supportive and well-served communities through its sheltered housing for older people across its three almshouses, St Saviour’s Court, Hopton’s Gardens and its newest development, Appleby Blue.

The development was completed in May 2023, and provides 57 homes for a total of 63 residents aged 65 or over in Southwark.

Designed by Stirling Prize-winning architects, Witherford Watson Mann, the building provides a blueprint for future adult social housing projects for older persons.

The recent Almshouse Longevity Study found that living in an almshouse can boost a resident’s lifespan by as much as two and a half years. Appleby Blue represents a progressive evolution of this typology – it flips the conventional model of the almshouse as a retreat from society, built in the outer environs as an inward-looking development, firmly on its head. Located in the heart of Bermondsey with a bus stop right outside and the hustle and bustle of inner-city living, Appleby Blue enables its residents to remain active members of a thriving, intergenerational and diverse London community.

Appleby Blue is named after one of United Saint Saviours Charity’s original benefactors, Dorothy Appleby. ‘Blue’ refers to the central marketplace of Bermondsey, rooting the development in its locale and noting the charity’s ties to the area going back more than five-hundred years.

Features

The building is designed to connect residents through its porous nature and welcoming floorplan, cultivating a strong sense of community and reducing loneliness.

The 2-5 storey design enables a cascading level of interaction between the surrounding community and the almshouse residents. A luscious roof terrace includes raised beds for growing herbs and vegetables. The detail of the project is impressive, with raised beds created with residents in mind, to enable recreational gardening activities despite varying mobility levels.

The main communal space, the Garden Room, opens on to a planted garden court with a raised water feature running throughout, designed by Grant Associates. It forms the traditional almshouse courtyard style centre of the building, offering a space for residents and visitors to socialise or relax in peace and quiet. The acoustics of the space coupled with the sound of the water feature creates a relaxing, sanctuary-like space for residents and visitors, whilst remaining just a few feet away from the local transport links that keep them connected to the city.

Community

The resident support model for the almshouse is integral to the physical environment and place. The team works closely with the Appleby Blue Centre Manager to create a holistic support plan which encompasses repairs and maintenance, benefits guidance and health and wellbeing. Appleby Blue also offers residents a library area, hobby room and skills room, where events from crochet lessons to digital skills sessions will be hosted for both residents as well as the wider community. The intergenerational use of the building aims to break down the barriers between young and old.

The Appleby Blue community kitchen sits at the heart of the building, as a kitchen should, with United St Saviour’s Charity running culinary-based community projects with local organisations to foster intergenerational connectivity in Southwark and provide important upskilling opportunities for young people in the borough.

United St Saviour’s is working alongside research partners at Bournemouth University to explore how multigenerational socially inclusive activities can be co-created with older people around food growing, cooking and meal sharing to improve their health, wellbeing and social connectedness.

Funding

Appleby Blue occupies a site previously occupied by a care home, which had fallen into disrepair and was no longer fit for purpose. It is the off-site social housing provision funded by a private residential development ‘Triptych’, developed by JTRE in neighbouring Bankside. The development has been made possible through a partnership between the freeholders London Borough of Southwark, and UStSC, who lease it and will manage it in perpetuity.

Martyn Craddock, CEO of United St. Saviours Charity said:

“Appleby Blue Almshouse reimagines the historic model of a retreat from society, in favour of direct contact with urban life. The beautiful design of the building coupled with our charity’s support services, aims to change the perception of sheltered social housing, and influence future developments for the better. By providing a high quality and well-designed home, older people should be more ready to move from their often unsuitable or under-occupied housing, yet remain in the community where they have lived for many years. The building is designed with social interaction as a core principle and we intended to use this wonderful building to its full potential to continue to transform lives and meet the needs of our older residents.”

Alison Benzimra, Head of Research and Influence said:

“United St Saviour’s Charity will be incorporating all our learnings into our practices. We are journeying with our residents to determine what aspects of the building’s physical design, community activities and resident support model impact health and wellbeing in later life. Through collaborations with our trusted research partners, such as Bournemouth University, we aim to share our findings widely so we can positively influence policy and practice both locally and nationally as our ageing population continues to increase. Appleby Blue is a place where people can relax, meet others, and participate in a range of activities that enable both residents and people from the local community to keep fit, healthy and active – a place where residents are firmly at the centre of life around them.”

For more information, please visit www.ustsc.org.uk

See also:

posted 10 October 2023

Tibberton’s 20 year project completes – for now!

The Almshouse Association has been following the refurbishment journey of Tibberton Almshouses for the last two decades. We supported them with a loan and they have diligently kept the Association abreast of all the developments so it was wonderful to recently receive notification that the final part of their journey had been completed.

The Journey to the refurbishment of No2 Bovone Lane

Over the weekend of 28 to 30 April 2023 a new resident moved into the last of the refurbished almshouses in Bovone Lane, Tibberton, representing the culmination of a journey for the trustees of Tibberton Almshouses, of some twenty years.

Phil Bevan, Clerk / Treasurer to the Trustees of Tibberton Almshouses shared this update on the end of their twenty year journey:

With the help of a loan from The Almshouse Association and a grant from the Forest of Dean District Council (Publica Group), we were able to achieve our final objective (for now!).

  • No2 Bovone Lane was a one-bedroom property.
  • By forward planning and the expertise of our chairman with his DIY skills he was able to put forward a proposal to also provide a cloak room on the ground floor and a shower room on the first floor.
  • This entailed removing and re-siting the stairs from their original position to a new location, without prejudicing the floor space of the kitchen.
  • Removing all plaster, re-pointing inner walls to accept wall slurry to combat rising damp and insulating the walls.
  • Providing an LPG (buried) tank for new plumbing, heating and hot water.
  • The removal of the stairs and virtual demolition of the inside of the property.
  • The removal of ground flooring and replacing it with an insulated concrete floor.
  • New cloakroom.
  • New shower room on the first floor.
  • New heating and plumbing.
  • New electrics (including car charging station).

Demolition Derby!

The kitchen – before and after!

The stairs at the start … and finish (new location and 2 bannister rails)
Comprehensive views of the work undertaken on the first floor
Completed 1st Floor
Completed shower room

In Conclusion

The trustees of Tibberton Almshouses would not have been able to complete the renovation and refurbishment of the properties without: –

  • The commitment of the trustees.
  • The expertise and DIY skills of the Chairman.
  • The financial support of The Almshouse Association, for which we will always be very grateful.
  • The commitment of the Forest of Dean District Council (Publica Group) with generous grants.
  • The support of our Local County Councillor in providing us with a grant.
  • The local support of the Tibberton District Horticultural Society with grants.
  • The local support of Hales & Co Builders Merchants.
  • The support of the consistent team of contractors, Ian – building, Richard and John -electrics, Stuart – heating and plumbing, Pat – kitchen fitter, Mark – carpets, Keith -decorating and odd jobs and all those on the periphery for their support over the years. 

Like the old saying “it takes a village to raise a child”, it also takes a wonderful and willing community to rebuild an old legacy. The Tibberton community plus others have made sure these almshouses continue to provide safe and warm homes to people in need in the community for many generations to come.

Further reading:

[top photos l-r – Brian with Tibberton’s Almshouse’s spiritual friend the Rev’d Canon Helen Sammon; New resident Diane with Alison Evan (4th generation grand-daughter of benefactor; “happy band of domestics” (trustees!)]

posted 27 September 2023

Case Study: Charities of Richard Poyntz & Others

Kindly prepared by Viv Miles – Trustee , Charities of Richard Poyntz & Others

“Our two cottages in question were built in 1929, they were gifted to the Charity originally to house retired farmers, but over the years the farms diminished and the Charity decided to house homeless retired persons, this recently changed again, due to the increase in our area of homeless younger people between the age of 48-65yrs, who we now consider. “

THE COTTAGES

They are one-bedroom properties, with tiny galley kitchens and very little cupboard space, nowhere to eat and it was hard for the residents to keep clean and tidy. They were very dark with no room to manoeuvre, especially if the person was disabled. They had old wooden outbuildings, used for coal that was rotting, very damp and cold.

When The Almshouse Association visited a few years ago, they emphasised the kitchens were not fit for purpose and suggested we knock the outbuildings down and build extensions. This was impossible at the time as the Charity had very limited funds, so the Charity decided it would be a project for the future, and with careful planning over five years, we at last felt we were able to fund a large part of the project. We also asked the Association for help and they most kindly offered us a loan of £50,000 and a grant of £20,000. The total cost of the project was £100,000 and we didn’t need to source any additional funds.

This was a very big project for a small Charity and if The Almshouse Association hadn’t helped, we most definitely wouldn’t be able to save the buildings, let alone build liveable working kitchen/dining areas, so as a Charity we can not thank them enough.

After three quotes we employed a local builder, Gary Foss.  We applied to London Borough of Havering who indicated we needed planning permission as the plot is within the conservation area. This we were not expecting, as the extensions were within the permitted construction that would only normally require building regulation control, so a set of plans had to be drawn up and approved.  It was granted, but it took 10 weeks, so this delayed the build, and of course cost extra money. The build started and the residents had to move all their belongings, we helped them as much as we could letting them use our office space and interacted with them all the time to make this transition as easy as possible.  The build was carried out in phases.

PHASE 1 – KNOCKING DOWN OUTBUILDINGS
PHASE 2 FOOTINGS
PROBLEM 1 – BUSHES

On viewing the foundations and drainage, the Building Inspector considered that 18ft of bushes had to be removed as they were too near the new building and would impede the drainage. This also meant fencing had to be installed as it backed onto a farmers field.. i.e. more additional cost!

PHASE 3 – BUILDING THE EXTENSIONS

When the building work began, the builder noticed the No. 2 house alignment was wrong and started to investigate. He had already started the block work, but we now had another problem…

PROBLEM 2 – SUBSIDENCE

The builder had discovered subsidence. There was an enormous crack where the outbuilding was taken down that went down to the foundation level. The trustees decided the only course of action was to do the remedial work acknowledging there would be additional costs incurred.

To stop the problem once and for all, the builder recommended digging 2-metre trenches on each corner, going underneath what footings there are, placing acrows on a slab, then filling with concrete.

We agreed and the building work could then commence up to roof level including insulation work:

 PHASE 4 – ROOF

London Borough of Havering altered the new roofs on both extensions as they considered them too high. This alteration also had a cost impact, but the build was now watertight ready for knocking through.

PROBLEM 3 – ROOF

The original roof has several problems including roof spread. There are no crossway beams so the roof is spreading causing tiles to slip. The roof tiles, which at some point had been replaced, are second-hand and crumbling. This problem, although temporarily fixed, will have to be completed at a later date.

PHASE 5 – KNOCKING THROUGH

Acrows were installed ready for the main beam so walls could be knocked down and brick work installed to hold the beam. New windows and backdoors were reinstated, including first fix.

PHASE 6 – PLASTERING INSIDE & SCRATCH COATING TO OUTSIDE BUILDING
PHASE 7 – PAINTING TOP COAT

The Trust purchased the emulsion paint and the builder painted the initial coat, but the residents decided they would rather paint the topcoat.

PHASE 8 – KITCHEN FITTING

The kitchens were bought from Howdens and the builder fitted them. Howdens were extremely good and gave us a large discount for the two kitchens with ovens, hobs and cooker hoods.

Kitchen before flooring and second fix electrics

…. and with flooring, also undertaken by the builder, but bought directly by the Trust. 

The residents have so much more space to be able to eat at a table and more cupboard space, plus they are now so much more accessible for anyone with disabilities.

“The new extended kitchen has made life so much better.  I can now sit and eat at a table for the first time in years.  The kitchen has really improved my quality of living and I can’t thank you enough”.
Resident A

PHASE 9 – MAIN COAT TO OUTSIDE OF BUIDINGS COMPLETED
.

” We started with a really small kitchen, it has been a long process with a lot of surprising obstacles, but now we have an absolutely brilliant large kitchen/diner with wonderful colours, sharp straight lines and beautiful finish, the cottage is now much warmer due to all the new insulation, I am short a couple of plug sockets but overall I am very happy with what I have and live a better quality of life; I can go shopping weekly instead of every day, it has created a huge space I never thought possible, I can now resume normal life.  I am very thankful for everything for all the work done and thank you to Vivienne and her husband for all the long hard hours you both spent working here to help”.
Resident B

ADVICE TO OTHER SMALL CHARITIES

This experience has taught us so many things to look out for and here are a few:

  • Make sure you have a contingency fund for any incidentals that may arise.
  • When getting quotes, make sure you add every little thing you want built or fitted ie: building a cupboard and finishes, or employ a quantity surveyor.
  • Appoint one person in charge you can trust, or a project manager, so they can make on the spot, important decisions. This helps the builder work to his schedule and they can pay him on time with every phase, especially if you use a small building firm. Do not pay your builder his final payment until he has completely finished and consult your fellow trustees before paying this.
  • Always support the trustee/secretary that is in charge.   
  • Make sure at all times your residents are supported, as it can be very stressful, and if they move in with someone for the duration, keep them informed of the progress at all times.

“Our properties were finished to a high standard and the builder gave us loads of advice. The trustees were all very impressed with the work, as were the residents.”

posted August 2023

Multi-million pound sustainable housing development opens

This August, Councillor Veronica Dunn, the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, officially opened a sustainable housing development designed specifically for disabled residents in Spital Tongues, Newcastle.

The St Mary Magdalene & Holy Jesus Trust’s £3.8m Magdalene Court almshouse development, located on a prominent site at the top of Richardson Road, is set amongst mature retained trees and has been designed by JDDK Architects.

The development has been built by Meldrum Construction to meet the current National Space Standards, providing extensive circulation space for residents of the 15 accessible one-bedroom apartments designed for older people with a disability who wish to live an independent lifestyle. The development also includes three, two storey, three-bedroom homes designed for families – the first time the Trust has provided housing for families.

The innovative scheme provides highly insulated and air-tight homes with heating by air source heat pumps powering LST (Low Surface Temperature) radiators. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery ensures no heat is wasted and a steady supply of fresh air internally while Magdalene Court also features a ‘green’ roof terrace of sedum plants.

Internally, the apartments are designed for lifetime occupation with the open plan living, dining and kitchen allowing light from the living space windows and balcony through to the kitchen. The bathroom is also flexible for a bath or shower with wet room design with future adaptability.

The ground floor apartments all have private patios and gardens while the upper apartments have balconies to create connection with the nature and outdoor green spaces. All the apartments are fitted with a Warden Call system summoning help if required whilst there is also an extensive ground floor store for wheelchairs and electronic buggies.

The three family homes enjoy south facing gardens with a patio and shed for cycle storage provision with rear access for added convenience of circulation. The layout also features future adaptability with accessible WC for future shower installation, an aperture for a future through-floor lift, stair lift and temporary bedspace in the ground floor living space.

John Lee, chairman of the St Mary Magdalene & Holy Jesus Trust, commented,

“The Magdalene Court scheme is an exciting development for the Trust. It both builds on what we have done successfully in the past in providing accommodation for older people, but also widens our scope to include providing accommodation for families.

“We consulted extensively on this scheme with partners and stakeholders and providing the mix of accommodation that we are doing will ensure that the Trust is using its assets effectively and efficiently to deliver benefit in the City.

“Despite being affordable in name, often affordable housing schemes still have fairly high rents, particularly for more popular areas. So, perhaps most importantly for our residents, we have used our funds to cap the almshouse residents’ weekly maintenance contributions inclusive of service charges at Local Housing Allowance levels.

“The new apartments have been quickly snapped up and we are now continuing with an extensive refurbishment programme for our existing properties whilst also developing plans to provide additional properties on our main site on Claremont Road.”

posted 19 September 2023

Case Study: George Jones Trust Almshouses

Association grant funds new conservatories for two Gloucestershire almshouses

The village of Cranham, Gloucestershire, has two almshouses that were given to the village by local benefactor George Jones back in 1868 ‘to be occupied rent free by one widow and her family, or two widows without families’. These cottages eventually fell into disrepair but were renovated in the 1970s and are once again occupied. The qualification criteria have been broadened somewhat in line with modern times to people with a Cranham connection who are in need.

The one bedroom properties have limited floor area so the George Jones Trust explored ways of increasing liveable space. Initially an extension to the rear of each property was proposed, but after obtaining quotes from builders, the rising costs of building materials proved prohibitive. Plan B was to add a conservatory to each property which would increase the ground floor area and allow the residents to better enjoy a view of the garden.

Two quotes were received from local suppliers and C&L Windows & Conservatories, Gloucester was selected. From the start this company was really professional, easy to communicate with, and better still arranged for a local construction company to work with them on preparatory ground works, which made the project really straightforward from the point of view of the George Jones Trust.

The first stage of the project included the groundworks and moving oil lines as they impinged on the conservatory footprint.

The project was really quite straightforward and the whole installation from groundworks to completion was done and dusted within two weeks.  The quality of the work is impressive and the project was delivered on time and to budget. We’d like to recommend C&L Windows for the quality of their work, reliability and professionalism.

“The new conservatory has been an absolutely fantastic addition to the house. It provides an area that can be used all year long regardless of the weather. It brings the garden in and provides a peaceful space in nature in which to sit and read, or just watch the birds. I have found the space very calming since it has been installed. For me, with my Lupus, it has enabled me to get the sense that I am outside, without exposing myself to the sun’s rays which would make me unwell, so I am extremely grateful for this. It also provides me with additional space to entertain guests and can even have people around for a meal now with the fold away table I plan to get. I cannot believe how lucky I am to live in the almshouse and the conservatory has quite simply been the icing on the cake. Thank you so much.”

Resident Nic Granger

We’re really grateful to The Almshouse Association for their grant of £25,000 which contributed about 50% of the total cost involved. Our coffers are quite low as we’re about to embark upon a project to install solar panels and energy storage at the properties, which will use much of our funds, so the assistance of The Almshouse Association in contributing towards the conservatories is invaluable. The conservatories have really enhanced the wellbeing of our residents.

Can you help us build more almshouses and ensure those we have are the best they can be by making a donation to The Almshouse Association or leaving a gift in your Will?
To find out more about how you could help build and protect almshouses for generations to come, please click here.

Case Study: Solar Panels

At the end of 2022 The Almshouse Association was pleased to be able to respond to a request for a loan from Lord Petre and Puckle Charities to support the installation of solar panels. In addition the Charity was looking to replace their night storage heaters with a new heating system which would be compatible with their drive to solar energy.

David Clark, Chair of the Trustees at Lord Petre and Puckle Charities is sharing with us a case study of their project in 2 parts. In the following article, we learn about the background and installation of the solar panels and their new heating system. The second instalment will hopefully reflect the benefits to the Charity and the residents of their new solar energy system after the best that a UK winter can throw at them!

“The almshouses in Little Burstead, Essex are financed and managed by Lord Petre & Puckle Charities. The terrace of three bungalows was built in 1972 as replacements for the original cottages dating back to the 1920s. They are located within the village conservation area and the project proceeded without the need for planning permission. The pitched roof of the properties faces north/south and south is the preferred orientation for maximum solar panel efficiency.”

Before solar panels were fitted

“In the spring of 2022 at the commencement of the Ukrainian/Russia war the effect on energy costs was so horrendous that we needed to look at ways to significantly reduce this area of our overheads. As the Charity pays for all heating, hot water and communal lighting for the residents, we were greatly impacted by the soaring energy costs.

We conducted an exercise looking at the previous year’s usage which was 22,000 kWhr or 1500 kWhr per month and projecting that forward at the new rates per kW, this would have used 52% of our total income per year – a big problem going forward. In addition to this, we were already contemplating replacing 50-year-old night storage heaters which were very inefficient.

It was decided that we should get quotes for solar panels/batteries and replace the old heating system. We looked at several  companies and chose The Skill Group to work with the Charity on this project.

Initially the cost of such a project looked to be problematic, especially as we explored the possibility of grants but were turned down. However The Almshouse Association came to our rescue and granted our Charity a £40,000 interest-free loan, for which we are extremely grateful.”

With solar panels

“On 6 March this year the scaffolding went up, on 7 March the Skill team arrived and installed all 72 solar panels including bird guards; these are essential to stop the possibility of birds nesting under the panels. On 8 March the scaffolding was removed, all without any inconvenience to our residents. Part 1 of the project completed.

It was decided that the next stage, installing the batteries in the roof voids and the electrical work connecting everything up would be left until the weather was warmer so that we could limit the disturbance to our residents. This part of the project commenced in late April, together with the removal of the old storage heaters and the installation of the new heating system compatible with the solar panel installation. This part of the project took just over a week and was completed most efficiently, with only minor hiccups and very little inconvenience to our residents.

The solar panel installation went live in May and we have generated 7,713 kWhr of energy which is now supplying most of our electricity needs, additionally we are currently selling back to the grid through our electricity supplier, Octopus Energy per day at a price of 15 pence per kW. The amount of energy we have sent back so far is 6,356 kWhr. This sell back will be credited and used against what we will need to buy in during the winter months when the solar panels will not produce as much electricity. Our energy usage has gone from 1,500 kWhr per month to 100kWhr.

The Charity would highly recommend The Skill Group to other almshouses who might be contemplating this type of project. They were extremely personable, understanding, efficient and quick to react to any concerns or issues we had.

The Charity would also like to reiterate its thanks to The Almshouse Association for granting us the loan which has allowed us to complete this project.”

Well done to you all for meeting the challenge head on! We are all looking forward to hearing the second instalment in the new year!

Posted August 2023

Case Study: Lord Leycester Almshouses

Case Study – Almshouses Lord Leycester (Oct 2022)

The Almshouse Association made a loan of £50,000 in Q1 2020 to the Lord Leycester Almshouses. The purpose of the loan was to support funds “To renovate almshouses and provide habitable homes with a focus on needy and wounded service veterans. The almshouses date from the 15th century and require substantial external and internal renovation to make them fit for the 21st century.

Charity Background

The Lord Leycester operates in the Museum and Heritage site sector and often say they are Warwickshire’s answer to the Royal Hospital Chelsea – just smaller and older! The organisation is a Registered Charity in England that provides almshouses for veterans. The buildings are Grade 1 and Grade II listed with a Registered Garden. We are located in the centre of the town of Warwick on the western end of the High Street.

The charity has two aims:

  1. Caring for the collection of nationally significant heritage Grade 1 buildings comprising the Lord Leycester Hospital and the 500 year old registered garden;
  2. The charitable role of maintaining and providing homes for needy and wounded service personnel – a role that it has carried out continuously since 1571.

The Charity’s main source of revenue is from Heritage visitors and Guided Tours, rents from function rooms, filming, rents from properties sub-let, and donations. The Lord Leycester Hospital is open 6 days per week to visitors. In addition, they have eight Brethren living at the site as Charity recipients and four non-Brethren residents who live in the almshouses.

“Seven centuries ago, the Guilds built these medieval buildings as the centre of civic life with a strong philanthropic mission and a space for community events. In the 1500s the buildings became a “Hospital” carrying on the philanthropic tradition by caring for wounded warriors.

Time has seen the Lord Leycester retreat to where it sits today in the shadow of town life.  The ancient buildings need restoring. For seven centuries the Lord Leycester was important as a centre of civic life but time and lack of funds has ravaged the fabric of the building.

The Lord Leycester Hospital is at risk but with investment and a good business plan linked to key conservation management plans that are fully implemented, it can become self-sustaining and restored to its former glory as a centre of gravity in Warwick’s historic community. It also has the potential to add significantly to the economic growth of Warwick.  One of the areas to develop was the upgrading of our almshouses.  We requested a £50,000 loan to begin the work on our almshouses.“

“By 2023 we want to have a strategy in place to undertake mounting Heritage/almshouse repair requirements and be able to offer far more to our Heritage visitors which in turn will also increase our footfall from 5,000 a year to 35,000. This footfall increase will generate more revenue for the Institution and the Town as we attract a greater number of non-local visitors. The Lord Leycester has the potential to take back the position of being active and central to community life in Warwick and to increase its annual footfall.  We also want to upgrade and repair our almshouse residential cottages which are at the core of our charity. “

Q: What challenges were you facing before the project started?

“We could not get ahead of the bow wave on residential repairs and with sub-standard accommodation we were not in position to charge a weekly maintenance contribution.”

Q: Did you source additional funds from other organisations?

“Yes, we received donation funding from the Army Benevolent Fund, Warwick Relief in Need and Thomas Oken Trust.”

Q: What would have happened had you not been successful in receiving a loan or grant from the Association?

“Three cottages would have had to be left unoccupied without the income from the weekly maintenance contribution and we would not have upheld our full responsibility as an almshouse charity.”

Q: Did your project include making renovations to a listed building?

“It was like for like repair in a Listed Building, not renovations.”

Q: On completion of the project what feedback have you received from the residents?

“The cottages are really nice, comfortable and accessible. Our residents love their almshouse – they feel very privileged and protected to live on our site.”

Almshouse living: by the residents

Take a peek into the lives of Hopton’s Almshouse residents…

Hopton’s Almshouses were established in Southwark, London in 1752 and have been continually occupied since. They provide the opportunity for residents of the borough to remain in the heart of the city, actively engaged in the community in which they have lived for most of their lives.

The film on the website of Witherford Watson Mann Architects was commissioned as part of the on-going research into the views of older people on the value of remaining in their existing communities in the heart of busy urban locations. The findings underpin the design being developed by the Architects for a contemporary almshouse for the 21st century to be run by United St. Saviour’s Charity.

Nigel, Shamus and Barry talk about almshouse living and the importance of being able to live in their local community.

Click on the video at the end of the architects webpage below to view….

or to access the video directly

posted courtesy of WWM Architects 8 August 2023

Sloswicke’s Almshouse Charity expansion news!

Good things happen in 3s!

One of Retford’s oldest institutions took the limelight on the 25th May 2023 to celebrate the opening of their five new almshouses.

Sloswicke’s Almshouse Charity, which was established in 1658, is a Registered Provider with Homes England and now has 46 properties at 4 sites in the town.

In 2017 they seized the opportunity to acquire the former joiner’s workshop adjacent to their existing properties on Union Street in Retford. The new construction in 2023 is very timely as the original almshouses were built in 1823 and refurbished in 1983. The Union Street Almshouses came to Sloswicke’s on the merger of Charities in 1982.

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The new development not only allowed the Charity to increase the number of homes they own by a further five properties, but  includes 2 bungalows which is a welcome addition to the type of homes they offer. It also presented the Charity with the chance to work with conservation architects,  Soul Architects, to redesign the area to the rear of the combined Union Street properties to incorporate communal gardens, seating areas and a scooter store to benefit all the residents. This will allow the new residents to immediately feel part of an established community.

Sloswicke’s were the first member of the Almshouse Consortium to secure a grant allocation in the 2021-26 Homes England funding programme. Other funding for the project has been provided by The Almshouse Association, The Charity Bank and Sloswicke’s own reserves.

“These properties have been a long time coming, with many hurdles overcome on the way, but we have residents lined up for all 5 which demonstrates the need and confirms that the trustees efforts will benefit members of the local community, hopefully for centuries to come”

Tim Shuldham Chair of Trustees.

Congratulations to all the trustees, staff, architects and contractors who have worked so hard on this successful project – its wonderful to see plans and funds come to fruition, adding another five almshouses to the affordable housing stock in the UK and providing warm and safe homes in the community for people in housing need – in perpetuity.

posted 7 August 2023

Further reading: Sloswicke’s Almshouse charity to build extra flats and cottages in Retford – Lincolnshire Live