Landmark partnership

A bold step forward for community-led housing

We are delighted to announce a landmark partnership with Innovate UK, the University of Suffolk, and the Knowledge Transfer Partnership, supported by £75,000 in funding.

This exciting initiative will strengthen our research capability and generate robust, evidence-based insights to support the future of almshouses.

Shaping the future of almshouses
The project will help position almshouses as the gold standard in community-led housing, championing their unique social and wellbeing benefits while raising awareness among policymakers, funders and the public. It will also strengthen engagement with government and key stakeholders, helping to unlock greater support for the sector.

We aim to place almshouses firmly at the forefront of affordable housing by fostering a more integrated, collaborative approach, bringing together national and local government, philanthropy and charity-led providers to deliver lasting impact.

Evidence and growth
A key focus will be building a strong evidence base to demonstrate the social value and return on investment of almshouses.
This partnership marks an important step in transforming perceptions of charity-led housing and ensuring more people can access safe, secure homes. We look forward to sharing updates as the project progresses.

photo: L to R: Gerry Harmon – Association PR and Engagement Manager; Dr Laura Reeves, visiting Fellow; Jenni Carberry, MSc Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Manager; Dr Alison Pooley, Associate Professor; Nick Phillips, Association CEO.

May 2026

The Road to restoration: Lessons from Baker’s Almshouses

CASE STUDY: Baker’s Almshouses, Stutton, Suffolk

When almshouse charities face major repair costs or seek to expand provision for people in housing need, financial support can make the difference between decline and long-term sustainability. As part of its member services, The Almshouse Association provides grants and interest-free loans to help charities maintain, improve and develop their housing for residents.

This case study highlights how, with the support of a £25,000 grant from The Almshouse Association and despite numerous setbacks along the way, through sheer determination, the trustees of the Baker’s Almshouses in Stutton were able to complete a full renovation of one of their almshouses.

The Baker’s Almshouses in Stutton have been providing homes since 1863. This charming row of five Grade II listed almshouses has served the local community for more than 160 years, but like many historic buildings, the passage of time had begun to take its toll.

Baker’s Almshouses 1900s
Baker’s Almshouses 1932
Baker’s Almshouses 1984

When a new Board of Trustees was established in 2023, one of its priorities was to take a more strategic approach to caring for the almshouses. Rather than continuing with piecemeal repairs, the trustees wanted to protect the building’s heritage while improving the comfort and quality of life for residents.

An architect was appointed to develop a programme of works, including improving drainage around the building, repointing the brickwork and chimneys, and carrying out a full refurbishment of No. 4, which had become difficult to let in its existing condition.

Turning ambition into reality

The original project was ambitious, with an estimated cost of just over £141,000. The Almshouse Association awarded a £25,000 grant, and the trustees submitted numerous funding applications, but they were unable to secure enough funding to deliver the full programme.

Rather than delay improvements altogether, the trustees made the difficult decision to focus on refurbishing No. 4, ensuring that at least one home could be brought back into use for someone in housing need. The refurbishment included:

  • replacing the floorboards
  • installing underfloor insulation
  • removing an outdated pantry
  • fitting a new kitchen and bathroom
  • redecorating throughout.

Challenges along the way

As with many building projects involving older properties, the work proved more challenging than expected.

  • As the architect felt that the project was too small for him to remain involved, one of the trustees agreed to take on the role of project manager.  Completion timescale was eight weeks, which seemed rather long for the amount of work involved but was agreed by the project manager.  In the end, it was 15 weeks before the house could be occupied. 
  • One of the main attractions for using the chosen building firm was that it was a large company with significant experience in dealing with old and listed buildings.  Unfortunately, this did not prove to be the case.  Most of the tradespeople were contractors and were working on multiple projects hence were often pulled off the almshouse project to fill gaps on other jobs. 
  • The firm’s project manager was difficult to contact and when finally reached would give false promises regarding completion times and standard of work which fell short of expectations, requiring considerable time and persistence from the trustees to resolve outstanding issues.

To add to the external challenges, the trustee managing the project resigned before completion, placing additional pressure on the remaining trustees. But, despite all these setbacks, the trustees stayed committed to seeing the project through and ensuring the home was completed to a suitable standard.

Lessons for the future

Every project provides valuable learning, and Baker’s Almshouses was no exception. In putting together this case study, the trustees have been candid and expressed the importance of:

  • carrying out thorough due diligence when appointing contractors
  • ensuring specifications are crystal clear
  • maintaining regular communication throughout a project
  • being prepared to challenge issues as they arise.

Perhaps most importantly, the Board recognised that while trustees bring a wealth of experience and commitment, specialist external support is sometimes essential to deliver complex capital projects successfully.

Looking ahead

Although the journey was not without its difficulties, the refurbishment of No. 4 has created a warm, comfortable and attractive home that is once again available for someone in housing need.

The experience has also strengthened the trustees’ confidence and equipped them with valuable knowledge for future projects. Their commitment to preserving these historic almshouses means that Baker’s Almshouses will continue to provide safe, affordable homes for many years to come.

The Almshouse Association was delighted to support this project through its grants programme, helping to ensure that another historic almshouse can continue its long tradition of providing homes and communities for those who need them most.

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 2025, £1,198,500 was approved in new loans and grants totalled £50,000. 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 9 July 2026

Where history meets ‘The Holiday’

Abbot’s Hospital, Guildford: Where history meets ‘The Holiday’ – with plenty of hospitality

What connects the hit film The Holiday, the King James Bible and some of Guildford’s happiest residents?

The answer is Abbot’s Hospital – the remarkable Jacobean almshouse that stands proudly at the top of Guildford’s High Street.

Rich in history, architectural beauty and community spirit, it continues to provide a welcoming home for its residents more than 400 years after it was founded.

Recently, members and Friends of the Almshouse Association enjoyed a fascinating guided visit to explore behind the beautiful gateway.

Led by our knowledgeable guides, Desmond and Colin, the group explored the history, heritage and enduring purpose of one of this extraordinary place.

The tour began with an unexpected Hollywood connection. Desmond explained that many almshouses include the word “hospital” in their title, derived from the concept of hospitality rather than medical care. During the filming of The Holiday in nearby Shere, a researcher unfamiliar with the historic meaning mistakenly identified Abbot’s as the nearest hospital location for cast and crew. Thankfully, neither Kate Winslet nor Jude Law arrived seeking emergency treatment!

Guests also learned about the remarkable life of George Abbot, the Guildford-born scholar and churchman who founded the charity in 1619. Abbot played a significant role in the translation of the King James Bible before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury. He remained deeply connected to his hometown and established the almshouse that continues to serve the community today.

The visit offered a wonderful opportunity to discover the chapel, admire historic features and artefacts, and learn how the Grade I and Grade II listed buildings have been sensitively adapted for modern living. Guests were particularly interested to hear about current and future projects that will help preserve the site for generations to come.

Desmond and Colin shared a wealth of stories and insights drawn from their experience as Governors of Abbot’s Hospital. Their enthusiasm, knowledge and engaging storytelling brought the history of the almshouse to vivid life. Thankfully, the Guildford Guys, who terrorised the town in the 1800s, no longer run amok on Bonfire Night.

A particular highlight was the opportunity to meet several residents. Their warm welcome and friendly conversations gave visitors a genuine insight into life at Abbot’s Hospital today and demonstrated the strong sense of community that makes the almshouse so special.

Our sincere thanks go to Ian Bowler, Master of Abbot’s Hospital, to our wonderful guides and to the residents for their kindness, hospitality and generosity in sharing their home with us.

To learn more about Abbot’s Hospital, visit abbotshospital.org

posted 6 July 2026

See also: Friends of The Almshouse Association

“They’re home”

Resident shares love for historic Derby almshouses amid major restoration

For Pat, the almshouses on London Road in Derby are far more than just a place to live.

“They’re home,” she says simply.

Pat, now aged 73 has lived at the almshouses for almost 12 years after moving into No. 2 in July 2014. As the Grade II listed buildings undergo a major £3 million refurbishment the first of its kind since the Liversage Trust almshouses were originally built in 1836, Pat is one of the few residents who will experience life there both before and after the restoration.

And she cannot wait to return.

“From the moment I walked into the house, I felt at home,” she said. “It was small and cosy, it felt homely from day one.”

At the time, Pat had recently gone through a major life change. Having been married for many years, moving into the almshouses was the first time she had lived alone.

“It felt like a weight had lifted off my shoulders,” she recalled. “It was the start of a new chapter for me.”

Pat was born in Manchester but her parents relocated to Derby when she was still a baby. Pat heard about the Liversage Trust Almshouses through the Trust’s former General Manager, Yvonne Taylor, after her son-in-law carried out work in The Trusts Care Home. At the time she applied, Pat was living with her daughter having recently separated from her former husband.

She still vividly remembers arriving for the first time.

“I walked through the big double doors on London Road and couldn’t believe what was behind them,” she said. “All the little cottages and the beautiful gardens, it was such a surprise. It felt like an oasis in the middle of town.”

The peaceful gardens remain one of Pat’s favourite things about living there.

“Tony keeps the gardens beautifully,” she said. “On a nice day you can sit by the fishpond, listen to the fountain and hear the birds singing. You close your eyes and it’s just peaceful and calm.”

Although Pat admits her one-bedroom cottage was outdated and she didn’t have her own washing machine, she loved it.

“It suited me,” she laughed. “The house was always lovely and warm, and the bills were affordable too.”

Over the years only minor changes had been made to the property, including replacing a gas fire with an electric one, meaning the upcoming restoration is the biggest transformation residents have ever seen. The refurbishment will modernise and improve accessibility throughout the Almshouses, creating updated homes fit for future generations while carefully preserving the site’s historic character.

For Pat, who lives with a lung condition, the improvements will make a real difference. She hopes to move into one of the newly created accessible bungalows, although she says she would happily return to No. 2. Pat who temporarily moved to a flat on the Trust’s Nottingham Road Estate, praised the support she has received throughout the relocation process.

“The Liversage Trust couldn’t do enough for you,” she said. “They made sure everything was sorted and that we were looked after. Everything will be new, the kitchen and bathroom which will be lovely, I’m excited about that.  The downstairs toilet will make such a difference, and the new stairs won’t be as steep,” she said. “Plus, I’ll have space for my own washing machine. The renovations were needed and necessary, so the upheaval of moving out is worth it.”

But while the buildings themselves hold special memories, it is the people that Pat says truly make the Almshouses unique.

“The staff are lovely and the neighbours are wonderful,” she said. “Everyone looks out for each other. There are lots of different characters, from different walks of life and that’s what makes it special.”

Pat describes herself as “a bit of a mother hen”, often checking in on fellow residents and making sure everyone is alright.

“You can have your own peace and quiet, but there’s always someone around if you want company,” she explained. “There’s a sort of magic about the place.”

Some former neighbours will not be returning after the refurbishment, Pat says she will miss them, but she is equally looking forward to seeing familiar faces again as her friends and neighbours move back in. A keen crafter, Pat enjoys crochet and embroidery and always has a creative project on the go. Her two daughters, son and grandchildren regularly visit her at London Road, a location she values for its proximity to Derby city centre and the Royal Derby Hospital, which she visits regularly for appointments. Pat is likely to be out of her home for as much as 12 to 18 months as work continues on site, Pat says one thing has never changed.

“It’s my safe haven,” she said. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. If someone offered me a mansion, I still wouldn’t leave. The Almshouses are my home.”

See also: Liversage Trust: exciting £3m project in Derby | The Almshouse Association

posted 30 June 2026

Celebrating our 80th anniversary at the House of Lords

Celebrating our 80th anniversary at the House of Lords

The Almshouse Association marked its 80th anniversary with a special celebration at the House of Lords, bringing together sector leaders, supporters and partners to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future of charity housing.

The landmark occasion served as both a milestone and a powerful catalyst for change, a sentiment perfectly captured by Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association:

“This anniversary is not just a celebration of our rich history, but a profound call to action to protect our shared future. We must ensure that almshouses and small charity housing providers continue to play a vital, irreplaceable role in providing secure, dignified homes for generations to come.”

Visionary insights from sector leaders

The event featured compelling, forward-looking contributions from distinguished leaders who clearly defined the challenges, the data, and the path forward for charitable housing.

Nick Phillips with Lord Best and Michele Wainright Abbeyfield CEO
David Holdsworth, Charity Commission CEO
Sir Stephen Bubb

The Lord Best OBE DL opened the proceedings by emphasising that robust national housing policy underpins true community stability. He illustrated how preventative housing models deliver immense, measurable savings to public services and highlighted how the newly formed Charity Housing Alliance will successfully bridge the gap between small grassroots providers and national strategy.

Willie Hartley Russell, Chairman of The Almshouse Association, followed by honouring eight decades of collective wisdom and unwavering advocacy. He rallied guests to boldly champion independent living, dignity, and community-led care as the ultimate, time-tested roadmap for an aging society. David Holdsworth, CEO of the Charity Commission for England and Wales, championed the vital necessity of exemplary governance and unity. His remarks empowered the sector to protect its foundational stability and rise together as an unstoppable, collaborative force against overly restrictive corporate policy frameworks.

  • Inspirational words from David Holdsworth, click here

Sir Stephen Bubb powerfully demonstrated that charity housing acts as an indispensable “social anchor,” delivering up to £75 billion in annual value to society. He championed the Alliance as our unified shield to drive evidence-led advocacy and protect housing for our most vulnerable populations.

Their presentations highlighted the enduring legacy of almshouses and their continuing relevance within today’s housing landscape. The profound impact of almshouses on residents’ lives was vividly illustrated through a heartfelt presentation by Geraldine Nelson, a resident of Trinity Hospital Almshouses in Greenwich, who shared her personal experience of almshouse living.

Geraldine
Guest listening to Geraldine’s heartfelt presentation

While our 80th anniversary provided an opportunity to celebrate eight decades of impact, it also reinforced our ambition for the future. There are encouraging signs of growth across the almshouse movement, with new homes being built and new almshouse charities being established for the first time in over fifty years.

Yet significant challenges remain, particularly for smaller providers operating within an increasingly complex housing landscape. Against this backdrop, a key moment of the evening was the introduction of the Charity Housing Alliance, a new initiative bringing charity housing providers together under a collective voice. The Alliance will champion the sector, foster greater collaboration, and help shape a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable housing system for the future.

The CHA Manifesto for Change

The Charity Housing Alliance will pursue a rigorous, transformative agenda to reshape how charity-led housing is valued, treated, and governed:

  • Values-Driven Leadership: Supporting trustees as vital, compassionate stewards of a highly professional, robust, and deeply resilient housing sector.
  • Fiscal and Social Resilience: Offering an effective alternative to market-driven models, delivering long-term stability and beautiful community assets without placing burdens on the public purse.
  • A Bespoke Regulatory Framework: Respectfully advocating for a dedicated, proportionate regulatory path that formally recognizes charity housing providers as distinct public-benefit contributors rather than corporate entities.
  • Strategic Self-Regulation: Leveraging sector-wide unity as a constructive tool to share best practices, self-regulate, and organically raise operational standards.

A unified call to action

In his closing statement, Nick Phillips invited guests to show their commitment to this vital mission. In a moving display of solidarity, the room collectively raised their hands, signaling their support for the Charity Housing Alliance.

To learn more about the Charity Housing Alliance, visit: 🔗 https://www.thecharityhousingalliance.org

This new alliance stands as the definitive tribute to 80 years of dedicated service by The Almshouse Association. It marks a pivotal turning point for a movement that has quietly underpinned community resilience for eight decades. By transforming our collective, grassroots history into a singular, sophisticated voice, we are ready to reshape national housing policy and secure the proportional regulations our providers deserve. Celebrating this historic milestone is not just about preserving a rich legacy,  it is an active, evidence-led campaign to permanently establish community-led charitable spaces as indispensable pillars of health, dignity, and economic value for generations to come.

The Association extends its sincere thanks to all those who contributed to the event, and to CCLA for their generous sponsorship.

Housing LIN CEO, Jeremy Porteus sends 80th anniversary congratulations to The Almshouse Association

posted 29 June 2026

More’s Meadow secures prestigious RIBA East Award!

A Triumph for Community and Design: Great Shelford Village Charity’s stunning More’s Meadow almshouse development

We are delighted to announce that Almshouse Association member, Great Shelford Village Charity, and Winner of an Almshouse Association Inspirational Homes Award, has been now been honoured with a prestigious RIBA East Award for their More’s Meadow development.

This accolade recognises architecture that transforms lives. Centred around a vibrant, communal green, the development stands as a masterclass in modern design. Near-Passivhaus energy efficiency complements the Cambridgshire greenbelt. The project is a blueprint for the future of compassionate community-led housing.

“The project demonstrates that richness in public architecture can be created collaboratively, with engagement from all parts of society, from the most privileged to the most in need.”

Julian de Metz, RIBA East Jury Chair 2026

​Beyond delivering stunning genuinely affordable homes, Great Shelford Village Charity has enriched their wider village by expanding public green spaces with a flourishing community garden and allotments, and a new orchard for everyone to enjoy.  

We send our congratulations to Great Shelford Village Charity whose trustees, architects, contractors and supporters who worked incredibly hard to bring this stunning development to life.

Photo credit: Great Shelford Village Charity

posted 26 June 2026

Royal visit celebrates new almshouse communities in East Devon

East Devon’s commitment to affordable, community-led housing was celebrated this month as His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester officially opened two new almshouse developments in Budleigh Salterton and Ottery St Mary.

As Royal Vice-Patron of The Almshouse Association, His Royal Highness visited both communities to mark significant milestones for local charities providing secure, affordable homes for older residents.

In Budleigh Salterton, His Royal Highness opened the town’s first purpose-built almshouses, developed by The Shandford Trust at East Budleigh Road. The project is particularly significant as it represents the first newly established almshouse charity in the UK for more than 50 years. The highly sustainable homes provide comfortable, low-cost accommodation for local residents, with additional support available through the neighbouring Seachange Community Centre.

His Royal Highness  also visited Ottery St Mary to officially open Feoffee Rise, a new almshouse development created by the Ottery Feoffee Charity. Built on the former Brook Street Day Centre site, the new homes continue the charity’s long tradition of supporting local people, with roots dating back nearly 600 years.

During both visits, His Royal Highness met residents who have recently moved into the new homes and heard first-hand how the developments are helping people remain independent within their local communities.

Nick Phillips. CEO of The Almshouse Association said,

“These royal visits have been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate two exceptional examples of community-led housing in action. Both Feoffee Rise in Ottery St Mary and the new almshouses developed by The Shandford Trust in Budleigh Salterton demonstrate the incredible impact that dedicated local charities, trustees, volunteers and supporters can have in addressing housing need.

Meeting residents and seeing first-hand the difference these homes are making reinforces why the almshouse model remains so relevant today. These developments provide not only affordable, high-quality housing, but also security, independence, and a strong sense of community.

We are grateful to our Royal Vice Patron, His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester for recognising the vital contribution of almshouse charities and helping to shine a spotlight on what can be achieved when communities come together with a shared vision. We hope these inspiring projects encourage more people across the UK to support and establish new almshouse charities for future generations.”

The visits concluded with commemorative presentations and plaque unveilings, marking two important moments for East Devon and highlighting the growing role of community-led housing initiatives in supporting older generations.

HRH unveils the official opening plaque at Budleigh Salterton
HRH officially unveils the plaque, officially opening the Ottery St Mary almshouses

Together, the developments in Budleigh Salterton and Ottery St Mary showcase how local charities, volunteers and supporters can create lasting housing solutions that will benefit communities for generations to come.

Top picture shows The Duke of Gloucester (second left), Royal Vice-Patron of The Almshouse Association, officially opened the new Feoffee Rise almshouse development in Ottery St Mary yesterday, marking a significant milestone in the charity’s nearly 600-year history.

Accompanied by Mrs Mary Quicke MBE (left), Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Devon, Willie Hartley Russell (second right), Chair of The Almshouse Association, and Nick Phillips (right), Chief Executive of The Almshouse Association, His Royal Highness was introduced to local dignitaries, including Vicky Johns (centre), Mayor of Ottery St Mary.

Photos credit: Richard Gray

In the news

posted 22 June 2026

Volunteers Week 2026

💙 It’s Volunteer Week! 💙

This week, we’re celebrating and saying a huge thank you to all our incredible Members who volunteer their time to run and manage more than 1,600 almshouse charities across the UK.

Your dedication, compassion, and commitment make a real difference to the lives of residents and help communities thrive. The time and care you give, often behind the scenes, never go unnoticed.

We are enormously grateful for everything you do and proud to celebrate your contribution this Volunteer Week.

MY Trust: Young people’s almshouses

For more than 150 years, Sir Josiah Mason’s Almshouse Charity, now part of MY Trust (Mason Yardley Trust) has played a defining role in supporting vulnerable people across the West Midlands. Founded formally in 1868 by industrialist and philanthropist Sir Josiah Mason, the charity was established on a simple but powerful belief: that safe homes, education and opportunity can transform lives.

While the Trust is widely recognised today for its almshousing and care for older people, support for children and young people has always been central to its purpose. In the 1850s, Sir Josiah Mason built his first almshouses to provide homes for more than twenty widows and unmarried women, alongside accommodation for over thirty orphaned girls. The scale of local need soon became unmistakable. Demand for places for children and young people far outstripped provision, prompting Sir Josiah to undertake a far more ambitious project.

This led to the creation of what became Birmingham’s largest orphanage, opening in 1868 and forming the foundation of the Trust itself. The orphanage was preceded by the establishment of a school for the local community, providing free, non-denominational education at a time when access to learning was limited for children from poorer backgrounds. When it opened, the orphanage accommodated around 300 children, later expanding to provide homes and education for up to 500 boys and girls.

In recent years, the pressures facing care-experienced young people have grown exponentially. Rising housing costs, limited access to stable accommodation and the absence of family safety nets mean many young adults face the risk of homelessness at a critical point in their lives. It was this reality, combined with the enduring legacy of Sir Josiah Mason, that led the Trust to refocus on support for young people.

In 2023, the Trust launched Shine, a community based project supporting care experienced young people and those on the edge of care. Shine has already had a significant impact, helping young people build confidence, develop skills and navigate adult life with greater stability. However, community support alone cannot fully address the structural challenge of housing insecurity.  It was this understanding that led the Trust to develop Meeson Apartments.

Completed in March 2026, these new almshouses represent a significant milestone for the Trust. They are the Trust’s first standalone new build development in 25 years, and its first purpose built almshouses for young people in more than 170 years. Located in Solihull, the scheme comprises four highquality apartments, designed specifically for care experienced young people, offering a careful balance of independence, security and access to support.

Each apartment is EPC rated A, featuring air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels. The homes are fully self contained and include a private patio or balcony, a spacious double bedroom, a lounge with access to a dedicated kitchen, and a modern wet room.  .  The scheme was constructed by Harper Group Ltd and completed in under a year, following careful planning and consultation. Every aspect of the design reflects a deep understanding of the needs of young people transitioning into independent living.

Residents will live independently while also benefiting from wrap-around support delivered by the Trust’s Shine team in close collaboration with their housing services. This integrated approach ensures that the apartments provide more than shelter: they offer a stable foundation for education, employment, personal growth and resilience.  Being based on the edge of one of the Trust’s largest sites also means that there will be plenty of opportunities for intergenerational activities.  This includes a new project called Grandfriends, where young people will be matched with older residents for mutual friendship and support.

The project has been funded through a combination of Homes England funding (accessed via The Almshouse Consortium Ltd), charity reserves, and fundraising support from a range of charitable trusts. It reflects the trustees’ long-term commitment to reinvesting in communities and responding proactively to emerging social need. The apartments are named in honour of Ken Meeson, a long-serving trustee and former Mayor of Solihull, recognising his dedication to public service and lasting local impact.

Although the first residents are only just preparing to move in, the significance of Meeson Apartments is already clear. For the young people it will house, the project offers far more than accommodation, it provides stability, dignity and the opportunity to shape a future on their own terms. For the Trust, it represents a confident step forward, combining historic values with modern, sustainable housing solutions.

As the Trust prepares for the official opening later this year, the scheme stands as a tangible example of how long established charities can innovate while remaining true to their roots.

Meeson Apartments is part of several new initiatives as MY Trust continues to evolve. honouring its past while building brighter futures for the next generation.

posted 21 May 2026

Winsley’s Charity marks 300 years of service

Winsley’s Charity is celebrating a remarkable milestone this year, marking 300 years of providing homes and community support to people in Colchester.

The Charity was founded through the generosity of Arthur Winsley, an 18th-century wool and cloth dealer, who left Brickhouse Farm and £500 in his Will. The farm was transformed into twelve almshouses and a chapel for men over 60 who had “lived well and fallen into decay”. Reflecting the customs of the time, wives were originally required to leave the almshouses on the death of their husbands, something that would clearly not happen today.

Over the years, additional benefactors have helped the charity grow and adapt. While much has changed, its founding mission has remained the same: to provide safe, affordable housing and dignity for those in need. For three centuries, the almshouses have supported generations of residents, offering not only a home but also a sense of security and community.

Clerk to the Trustees, Sareena Cobden, described the anniversary as “an extraordinary moment,” noting that the charity is preparing to embark on a £2 million renovation programme to improve existing homes and create new ones.

To mark the tricentenary, a programme of events will take place throughout the year, celebrating the charity’s history and the people who have shaped it.

As Winsley’s Charity looks to the future, its trustees remain committed to the principles of compassion, stability and service that have guided its work for 300 years.

Contributor: Sareena Cobden | Clerk to the Trustees

posted 13 May 2026