If a charity does not have sufficient funds to carry out necessary works to their almshouses, part of the service The Almshouse Association offers its member charities is financial help in the form of grants and loans .
The Percy William Ratcliff Cottages, known locally as Sunnyside , are set in a beautiful location in the village of Newton Solney, South Derbyshire. A loan of £40,000 from The Almshouse Association enabled the charity to undertake essential roof replacement works, safeguarding the buildings and residents for many years to come.
Background
Newton Solney is a medium-sized village with around 900 residents and is fortunate to have two sets of almshouses (eight homes in total). This case study focuses on the Percy William Ratcliff Cottages , which comprise two detached buildings, each containing a pair of semi-detached bungalows, with a front garden and village allotments to the rear.
The cottages were gifted in January 1951 by Percy William Ratcliff , a member of the Ratcliff Brewing dynasty and a war hero. Sunnyside is also a registered war memorial , established to provide accommodation for people in need who have lived in Newton Solney for more than five years.
Condition of the roofs
No major roof repairs had been undertaken since the 1950s. By 2023, the roofs were showing clear signs of deterioration, including:
Movement of roof tiles
Leaking guttering
A general appearance of age and wear
A structural survey carried out in 2023 confirmed that extensive repairs were required , recommending full roof replacement on both buildings. Due to the potential financial impact, the trustees were initially unable to take immediate action.
Developing the project
In March 2025 , following further discussion, the trustees agreed to proceed and obtained quotes from three local roofing companies for:
Full roof replacement
New guttering, drainpipes and soffits
Improved roof insulation
Based on strong local recommendations and previous experience, Swadlincote Roofing Ltd was selected. The total project cost was £89,000 , with work scheduled to begin on 6 June 2025 , lasting 8–10 weeks depending on weather conditions.
Challenges for trustees and residents
The trustees faced several key challenges:
The significant cost of the project and the risk of leaving the charity financially vulnerable
The need to future-proof the buildings before further deterioration occurred
Managing a large construction project while minimising disruption to residents
The trustees explored potential funding support through South Derbyshire District Council, which confirmed that no planning consent was required despite the conservation area setting. Although several funding routes were investigated, these would have taken too long and offered insufficient financial support.
Support from The Almshouse Association
The trustees therefore applied for a loan from The Almshouse Association, requesting support for 50% of the project cost. After submitting the required information, the application was successful, allowing the project to proceed on schedule.
Without this loan, it would have been extremely difficult to raise the necessary funds within the required timeframe.
Managing the works
Once the loan was confirmed, the trustees’ focus shifted to managing the works safely and sensitively.
Key concerns included:
Large-scale scaffolding covering both buildings
Movement of materials and potential trip hazards
Waste management
Maintaining wheelchair access for one property
The roofing contractor worked closely with the trustees, holding several on-site meetings to address these issues. Measures put in place included:
Additional guard rails on scaffolding
Dedicated waste areas away from residents
Regular end-of-day cleaning
Scaffolding adapted to maintain wheelchair access
The project was carefully managed to minimise disruption, and residents commented positively on how friendly and considerate the contractors were. Requests from residents – including reducing radio volume and language – were respected immediately.
Delivery and completion
Despite some weather-related delays, only a few days were lost to rain. The roofs were fully sheeted during poor weather, and no leaks were reported. Waste materials, including old tiles and wooden lathes, were managed responsibly, with lawn protection used to prevent damage.
The roofs on both buildings were completed by late July 2025. The finished result has been widely praised, with positive feedback from residents, families, local people, and councillors from both the Parish and District Councils.
Outcomes and reflections
The trustees believe the project has:
Future-proofed the buildings for many years
Improved energy efficiency through better insulation
Protected residents and the charity from more costly repairs in the future
Looking back, the trustees would not have done anything differently. They would strongly recommend both:
Applying for a loan from The Almshouse Association , and
Taking great care in selecting and closely managing contractors
Advice to other charities
“Take great care in the selection of your subcontractor and maintain very close, even daily, contact with them and your residents to ensure a smooth and safe process.”
The loan from The Almshouse Association was crucial in enabling this vital project to proceed at the right time, ensuring Sunnyside remains a safe, comfortable and dignified home for its residents.
We would like to thank all the people and organisations who so kindly donate to The Almshouse Association and leave gifts in their Wills. Without their generosity, we would not be in a position to help support almshouse charities with their renovations and new builds.
The Almshouse Association awards loans and grants to our member charities every year. In 2024, £813,667 was approved in new loans and grants totalled £60,000. Charities pay no interest on the loans, just a small administration fee. As they make repayments on the loans over a ten-year period, the Association can continue to offer loans to charities year after year, meaning that your donations continue to support almshouses and their residents in perpetuity.
If you are interested in making a donation to The Almshouse Association or leaving a gift in your Will, please do visit our Support Us pages here.
posted 16 December 2025