Giving Something Back

by Chris Morton, Chairman of Louisa Lilley Almshouses

‘Giving Something Back’ to society was something that really came to fore in my life a few years ago when I was considering retirement from being a Commercial Accountant.

I felt that The Lilley Homes Almshouses was something I could “contribute” to and, as they say, “bring something to the table”.

The Trust is over 90 years old and Miss Louisa Lilley, who died in 1930, was part of a Shoe Manufacturing Family in the local town who bequeathed an amount in her estate to establish the Trust which now looks after after 20 one bedroom bungalows built around large gardens with residents ranging from 60 to 93 years old.

After attending a few of the trustee meetings, I felt I could contribute and was encouraged to put forward my ideas. My first proposal was a PPM (planned, preventative maintenance) regime that was welcomed by the Board, benefitting both the residents and trustees, then 2 years ago, the Chairman of Trustees asked me if I would take over as Chairman (he was in his 90s and had been Chairman for 40 years).

I was honoured to accept, and decided that this would fill in the “work” gap when I retired. The Louisa Lilley Trust has a history that needs to be protected and enhanced, so as we look forward, I believe the trust needs to make sure all our properties are kept in a condition suitable for the 21st Century, but keeping the vision that Louisa Lilley portrays in her will, which is still our ” bible.”

We have a Duty of Care to all our residents, and as such, we make sure that they are as safe as possible with the use of a call care system and our paid secretary visits all residents on a fortnightly basis.  

We encourage a community spirit and intend to hold an Open Gardens event for a local charity this summer. We will give all residents a “Tea Party” on the same day and combine this with The Almshouse Association 75th Anniversary.

We are also looking at our carbon footprint along with sustainability, in everything we do, and one of the things we are currently exploring the possibility of putting solar panels on all our properties, although we are mindful that we if we do so, it must not spoil the “look” of the almshouses. Once Covid 19 restrictions have been lifted, we will be improving our roof insulation and we have also put natural water butts in both our complexes to reduce our reliability on tap water for our gardens.

The Trust is also looking at building new housing in our current grounds, to increase the number of almshouses we have to offer. These will be replicas of the ones we already have, but designed specifically, for the elderly, in the 21st Century.

June 21

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Members’ Celebrations Network Event: 29 June 9.30am

Share your plans with other members at our next Member Networking Event!

If you haven’t done so already, please do join us on zoom for our Member Networking Events and chat with other members planning their parties. These meetings really highlight the collaboration and unity of our broader almshouse community and are a great platform for conversation and discussion about your planned activities over the summer months.

The next networking event is scheduled for Tuesday 29th June at 09.30 – 11.30 am. Please register your interest by emailing admin@almshouses.org.

Anniversary Network Event

We had an amazing member networking event on Tuesday 11th May, with over 40 members attending and talking about their party plans to help us celebrate our 75th anniversary year!

Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to join us to chat about the fabulous parties that are being planned and already being organised for this summer!

We had some really interesting questions come up during the session and have highlighted these below for reference:

GDPR – Some members were concerned about GDPR issues with residents and members of the public getting involved with their events. There is a photo-release form in the celebration pack that should be signed by anyone attending and also residents before any photos/videos are taken of them and used in any promotional material, or online on websites or social media.  There is also  a poster that can be printed out and put up for public display too.

Crime Prevention – Some members had concerns about crime occurring on their site during a public event being held at an almshouse.  The suggestion was that several trustees could be situated near vulnerable areas and signs made with ‘private – no access’. Within the risk assessments undertaken, these suggestions for prevention need to be included.  Also, having a checklist of attendees with email addresses and/or full addresses so people have to provide names and contact details at the entrance to the event may help.  Curtains and blinds can be drawn and private doors locked before the event.

Covid restrictions. – A question was asked about Covid restrictions if a public hall was being hired with regards to cleaning before and after the event.  It was recommended that we might have to wait until after the 21st June before we could make any recommendations on what requirements will be needed but a suggestion was made to contact the local council to ask for feedback on health and safety.  It is also recommended that the Hints and Tips flyer could help with details of the government health & safety website.

Residents – some members have encountered some opposition from residents to holding a garden celebration which highlights the work of the charity to the wider public. It was suggested that charities speak to their residents to discuss what the charity is trying to achieve and to look at ways residents can get involved in the organisation of the event (e.g. making bunting/ writing out invitations etc.). Where a resident doesn’t want to be involved, suggest that they may wish to go out for a few hours on that particular day and/or close their curtains.

What type of event to have?  Some members were deliberating between having a resident only and a joint event.  It was suggested that this needs to be decided by the trustees and residents to ensure everyone is happy with the option put forward. If the local mayor or MP is invited to help raise the profile, an option could be to invite them to cut a ribbon to open the event and then the residents can have their party after the dignitary departs.  This ensures that focus is only on the dignitary for the first hour or half an hour as dignitaries usually don’t stay at events due to their busy schedules.

Joint events. These were discussed and there was some positive feedback on smaller almshouses getting together.

We will share details for our next networking event as soon as they are finalised. In the meantime, if you have any questions or ideas you would like to dicuss, please do email gerryharmon@almshouses.org

Perry Almshouses celebrate 170th anniversary!

The residents and trustees of the Perry Almshouses in Winterbourne on the outskirts of Bristol are extremely excited to be celebrating the 170th Anniversary of their beautiful, Grade II listed almshouses as well as the 75th Anniversary of The Almshouse Association this year.

Built and conveyed in 1851 by a local benefactress, Mary Anne Jones, the Perry Almshouses have housed those in need within the Ancient Parish of Winterbourne for 170 years.  The almshouses were named by Mary out of respect for her grandfather – the local Squire, William Perry.

A celebratory garden party is being held later this year when a tree will be planted to commemorate this very special occasion.

Member Celebrations Networking Event – 11th May

Join our first member celebrations Networking Event via zoom on the 11th May!

This relaxed networking event will allow us all to chat about your planned garden parties and celebrations; it will be a platform for everyone to support each other with any advice or hints and tips on what works/what doesn’t in relation to getting events up and running and also engaging the press and promoting your event.

Nick Phillips, the CEO of The Almshouse Association will be attending to say hello and offer his support too.

To join us, please register your interest by emailing AlmshouseSupport@almshouses.org

So looking forward to seeing you all already !

1940s party plans at the Andros almshouses

The Andros Almshouse Charity are planning a fun-filled garden party in July with a 1940s theme.

They hope to have catering, vintage cars and everyone dressed up in 1940s attire! They have also booked a singer for the special day so it is looking to be a really fabulous occasion!

More details coming soon ……

The Walpole Almshouses are celebrating their 150th anniversary!

The Walpole Almshouses in Freethorpe Norfolk, having been constructed in 1871, will be celebrating their 150th anniversary this year.

The trustees and residents will be hoping to celebrate later in the summer.

Congratulations to you all on your 150th anniversary!

Party plans in Winchcombe

Mabel G M Shickle Charity – known as Tudor House, in Winchcombe.

The Tudor House trustees and residents are planning a lovely garden party in the summer months.

More details coming soon…..

900th anniversary for St Mary Magdalen Hospital

St Mary Magdalen Hospital was due to celebrate its 900th anniversary in 2020 but had to postpone due to the pandemic. Trustees are hoping to be
able to reconvene festivities this year and are planning a wonderful celebratory day at Castle Park in Colchester later in the summer.

Michael Siggs is Clerk of St Mary Magdalen and a number of other charities too, so all being well, it will be an incredibly special
day for the almshouse movement.

“We are all ready to start enjoying the longer evenings and the welcome of spring. Now that everyone has had their vaccinations we are looking forward to a return to some ‘normality’ and the excuse for a party is welcomed!
Here in Colchester we have had our fill of plagues and civil wars! 2020 was to have been a celebration of ‘900 Years of Mercy’ but we had to cancel. Our jabs may give us hope that on July 17/18 we can combine our celebrations with the beginning of the end of Covid 19 as well as the 75th anniversary of The Almshouse Association.

We also lost friends and neighbours in 2020, not necessarily to Covid 19, but were not able to remember them at funerals. Perhaps we will also be able to raise a toast to their memories in the formal part of the celebrations.”

Michael Siggs, Clerk of St Mary Magdelene

Methodist Homestead Almshouses Charity

Methodist Homestead Almshouses Charity are delighted to announce the celebration of 35 years of service for Warden Jenny Heginbothom (along with her husband Geoff, who has been their handyman/gardener for 20 years). Jenny and Geoff are retiring from Methodist Homestead Almshouses Charity this year.

Alistair Cochran, secretary and clerk to the trustees comments,

“Jenny and Geoff have given wonderful service over 35 years and have overseen so many changes in our homes.  Over the years they have served countless cups of tea and coffee and more recently provided a monthly Sunday lunch for our residents.  During the pandemic, they have encouraged outdoor socially distanced activities including a VE Day party and a MacMillan Coffee Morning.  Geoff’s contribution to keeping lawns mowed, hedges trimmed and doing many small maintenance jobs around the site (not least shovelling snow and putting salt down to keep the pathways safe) has been invaluable to us.  Our current Chairman commented that they leave big shoes to fill and we will all miss them but wish them well for the next chapter in their lives.”

Thank you, Alistair, for sharing this with us and many congratulations to Jenny and Geoff on their well-deserved retirement!