Across the country, almshouse charities offer safe, supportive and welcoming homes for people in housing need. In this article, Almshouse Association Ambassador Simon Smith shines a spotlight on The Finchley Charities in Barnet, London — the almshouse charity where he previously served as Chairman — and shares why he believes it is truly special. Let Simon explain…

“A heritage of care
The Finchley Charities is the largest almshouse provider in the London Borough of Barnet, with a proud history dating back to 1488. Today, it offers 174 almshouse units across three sites, welcoming men, women and couples aged 55 and over. While its foundations are historic, the Charity continues to grow and innovate, ensuring residents receive both excellent housing and a vibrant community life.

A focus on community and connection
What sets The Finchley Charities apart is its commitment to fostering genuine connections and a sense of belonging. Each scheme boasts its own Community Hall, hosting a wide array of activities, from art classes, bingo, quizzes, bridge and knitting, to crochet, sewing and a repair club. Regular coffee mornings and monthly free lunches are also offered through their partnership with FEAST With Us, which teaches nutrition and cookery skills via the Healthy Eating on a Budget programme. Some activities are organised by the Charity, others led by residents themselves, all designed to encourage interaction and inclusion.

Engaging beyond the almshouses
Residents are actively encouraged to participate in wider community volunteering, supported by links with local schools, organisations and projects. Highlights include carol performances by nearby primary schools, a Peer Support Project with Barnet African Caribbean Association and a community allotment initiative with Oak Lodge Special School.

Reflecting the rich diversity of Barnet, the Charity celebrates cultural and religious events including Hanukkah, Eid, Diwali, Nowruz and Black History Month. Community Halls also host informative sessions with local organisations such as the Community Police, Age UK and local law firms offering talks on wills, probate and lasting power of attorney.

Listening to residents
The Charity’s Senior Leadership Team, alongside Sheltered Housing Officers, regularly host ‘Resident Roadshows’, visiting each site to discuss concerns and plan future events.

CEO Carmel Miedziolka emphasises:

“We are committed to working alongside residents to improve services and strengthen local communities. We listen, act on feedback, and aim to develop a harmonious environment where everyone feels safe, secure, and included.”

Feedback is gathered through surveys and resident meetings, ensuring all voices are heard. Minutes and survey results are made available to residents, reinforcing transparency and inclusivity.

Strong governance, resident involvement
The Charity benefits from a wealth of trustee expertise across diverse disciplines. Trustees actively support staff and the Charity’s operations, with sub-committees such as the Health and Safety Committee, including resident members – after all, who better to advise on matters affecting day-to-day life? Co-opted trustees also bring additional skills and independent perspectives to strengthen governance. New trustees meet residents as part of their induction, embedding inclusivity at every level.

At The Finchley Charities, outstanding housing, vibrant community life and resident engagement come together to create a truly exceptional home for older people—one where every individual can thrive.”

Do you have an almshouse story to tell? We’d love to hear it and share how your charity is making a difference.

posted October 2025

Bedford, Morison and Cordery Almshouses, Watford, founded in 1580

In June 2025, the Bedford, Morison and Cordery Almshouses in Watford, hosted a spectacular garden party to celebrate the refurbishment of their gardens, the unveiling of a blue plaque marking their long history, a bespoke sculpted birdbath, and the presentation of three bursaries from the Dame Mary Morison Apprenticeship Trust to local care leavers.

The event not only celebrated the almshouses’ rich heritage but also promoted their values of Home, Heritage and Hospitality, helping the wider Watford community appreciate the importance of almshouse living for older residents.

Guests of honour included Luther Blissett OBE, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, who unveiled the blue plaque; Nicholas Buxton, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, who unveiled the birdbath; and other local dignitaries such as Watford Mayor Peter Taylor, former County Council Leader Richard Roberts, Chief Inspector Andy Wiseman, and Steve Marmion, CEO of Watford Palace Theatre.

Residents and visitors were warmly welcomed by Kay, a remarkable resident who turned 102 (above centre photo) in August, and Felicity Evans MBE, Chair of Trustees.

The birdbath, created by a local sculpture group, symbolises the eight women for whom the almshouses were originally built. The homes have been continuously occupied since 1580, a remarkable testament to their enduring purpose.

The newly refurbished gardens, beautifully curated by the Sunnyside Rural Trust, provided a stunning backdrop for the celebration. Guests enjoyed a relaxed afternoon tea, generously catered by Dallings of Kings Langley, while residents, families and friends came together in the spirit of community.

For centuries, almshouses have offered comfort, safety and companionship for older people. In today’s world, their blend of heritage, home and humanity continues to shine brightly in Watford.

Photography:  Andrew Lalchan Photography and Steve Danzig Photography  

👉 Learn more: www.watfordbmcalmshouses.org.uk

posted October 2025

Joyful garden celebration at almshouses in St Albans

Residents, families, friends, trustees and staff gathered at Dorant House almshouses, St Albans, to celebrate the almshouse’s 45th anniversary with a relaxed garden party in the beautiful grounds.

Guests enjoyed a delicious spread of sandwiches and homemade cakes, while local entertainer Peter the Magician delighted everyone with his card tricks and sleight of hand.

Residents described the afternoon as “a wonderful get-together with friends and neighbours” — a fitting tribute to the warm sense of community that defines life at Dorant House.

The almshouse was founded through the Will of Lionel Annesley Dorant (1880–1942), a respected St Albans land and property agent. His wish was to provide homes for “people of limited means and good character” from the local area. Originally serving the former City of St Albans, the charity’s remit was extended in 1985 (with Charity Commission approval) to cover the wider City and District.

Today, Dorant House offers eleven studio and eight one-bedroom flats across three floors, with lift access and a large communal lounge for social activities — a lasting testament to Mr Dorant’s vision of providing comfort, companionship and security for local residents.

posted 20 October 2025

In their latest resident story, the Durham Aged Mineworkers’ Homes Association (DAMHA) chat to Les Lewis, a devoted lay minister from Ferryhill, whose lifelong service to his community recently earned him a royal honour.

“I grew up in Ferryhill and started going to church when I was young,” Les recalls. “I sang in the choir for many years and in my twenties, the vicar asked if I’d consider training to become a Reader — what’s now known as a Licensed Lay Minister.”

After three years of training, Les was licensed in 1978 and has been preaching, teaching and leading services ever since. His ministry extends beyond the church walls – he helps lead Remembrance Sunday services and has presided over more than 250 funerals during his time of service.

Les began his working life as a joiner with Stephenson’s in Bishop Auckland, catching an early morning bus from Ferryhill to Spennymoor and then on to work. He later held various roles, including with the local council, and spent time driving a minibus for young people attending a training centre in Ferryhill. He eventually returned to the council, where he trained young joiners, some of whom still stop him in the street today to say hello.

Earlier this year, Les received an unexpected letter from Buckingham Palace, inviting him to accept Maundy Money from The King during a special service at Durham Cathedral. “At first I thought it was a joke,” he admits. “I still don’t know who nominated me, but once I realised it was real, I was honoured to accept.”

The Maundy Service, a centuries-old tradition, recognises those who dedicate their lives to helping others. The number of recipients matches the Monarch’s age; this year, 76 men and 76 women. Les received two purses from The King: one red, containing commemorative coins, and one white, containing silver Maundy coins, each piece representing the monarch’s age in pence.

“It was wonderful meeting The King and Queen,” Les says. “Sharing the occasion with my son made it even more special.”

In his spare time, Les enjoys making walking sticks, and he even sent one to The King at Balmoral. “I received a lovely letter saying he’d got it,” Les smiles. “You never know — maybe one day I’ll see him on television using it!”

15 October 2025

On Monday 29 September 2025, two employees from Holcim UK generously gave their time to help improve the grounds at St Joseph’s Homestead, Albany Road, Stratford-upon-Avon.

The almshouses, part of the Municipal Charities of Stratford-upon-Avon, provide homes for eight residents.

The volunteers, Simon Collins and Paul Wagstaff, both IT engineers at Holcim UK, spent the day painting the garden fencing to refresh and enhance the communal outdoor space.

William Clemmey, Chief Officer of the Municipal Charities, said:
“The fences at St Joseph’s Homestead were becoming untidy, so we are delighted that Simon and Paul volunteered to repaint them. Their work has helped brighten the gardens for our residents, and we are always grateful for the support we receive from local businesses.”

Photo Credit: Nigel Thornton, Municipal Charities of Stratford-upon-Avon Handyman

posted 2 October 2025

Worminghall, a village of nearly 600 people on the Buckinghamshire/Oxfordshire border, is home to almshouses founded in 1675 through the bequest of John King, Bishop of London, and his son Henry King, Bishop of Chichester.

Built in the shape of an “H” in Henry’s memory, Bishop King’s Almshouses, Worminghall share their birth year with the Royal Observatory at Greenwich and St Paul’s Cathedral, both of which kindly exchanged warm congratulations.

Originally for six men and four women, the Worminghall almshouses were refurbished in the 1960s into six self-contained houses.

Managed entirely by voluntary trustees, they marked their 350th anniversary on 29 June 2025, the feast of Sts Peter & Paul, with a garden party.

Trustee Grace Blackwell and the village social committee created a welcoming afternoon with book, plant, and bric-a-brac stalls, home-baked cakes, and tea. Wheatley Park School Soul Band played under a gazebo, while neighbours chatted in the sunshine.

The day raised funds for heating upgrades and restoration of the original boundary wall, but its real success was the sense of community.

Kindly sent in by Chris Craggs, Treasurer of Bishop King’s Almshouses, Worminghall

To learn more about these almshouses, please visit: The Almshouses – Worminghall Village

posted 29 September 2025

Amy Louisa Robinson Charity, St Albans celebrates 50th anniverssary

This September marked a golden milestone for the Amy Louisa Robinson Charity, which was formally established on 18th September 1975.

Amy Louisa Robinson, a lifelong member of Dagnall Street Baptist Church, left a lasting legacy to her community when she passed away in 1973. Known locally as a landlord, Amy left several properties in trust to provide homes for older people in need.

The Charity’s founding purpose was to:

“- provide housing accommodation either free of rent and outgoings or at nominal rents for needy men and women of the age of sixty-five years or over and being normally resident in the City of St Albans or having family or other association therewith and with preference being given to persons who are habitual members of the congregation of Dagnall Street Baptist Church St Albans.”

This requirement has since been updated to better reflect today’s local needs.

Today, the Charity is a proud member of The Almshouse Association and manages 18 one-bedroom apartments in St Albans. As residents move on, new applicants have the opportunity to benefit from the secure and supportive housing Amy envisioned.

The founding trustees included Amy’s brother Alf Robinson, along with fellow church members George Olney and Peter Cook, supported by surveyor Bernard Grimson and solicitor Richard Lloyd. The work continues today under the guidance of current trustees, assisted by Bretherton Law, part of GT Stewart Limited .

As the charity celebrates 50 years, both trustees and residents reflect on the generosity of Amy Louisa Robinson, a woman who simply wanted to give back to her community.

Thanks to the Amy Louisa Robinson Charity for sharing their story, and congratulations on reaching your 50th anniversary! While this may be a young milestone in the context of the almshouse movement’s thousand-year history, it’s inspiring to hear from newer charities. You remind us that the spirit of philanthropy is thriving and continues to shape communities today.

Pictured above, residents Jan and Caryl 

posted 29 September 2025

Thinking about leaving a gift in your Will that will help support almshouses and their residents?

The Almshouse Association has teamed up with Farewill and are able to offer our supporters a free Will-writing service. To find out more, please click below: