Almshouse Stories | The Almshouse Association

A cherished legacy

Our special Christmas fund that inspires 1000s of smiles – year after year

For more than 70 years, our Christmas legacy fund has brought warmth and joy to older almshouse residents across the country. Its origins trace back to the remarkable generosity of Major Alfred Ernest Allnatt, a successful businessman, philanthropist and long-standing friend of our founding General Secretary, Leonard Hackett.

Major Allnatt left a special Christmas legacy to ensure that almshouse residents aged 90 and over would receive a personalised Christmas gift each year. He asked that his involvement remain a secret until his passing in 1969 but his kindness has continued to shine every Christmas.

Thanks to his thoughtful gift and the careful stewardship of The Almshouse Association, this tradition still flourishes today. Each Christmas, nonagenarian residents receive a small gift voucher, a gesture that brings delight, dignity, and connection during the festive season. Last year alone, we sent out 693 vouchers, and we are often touched to receive photographs of residents proudly holding their Christmas gifts, which we share in our Gazette and on our website. This year, the number has grown to 815!

This enduring act of generosity is a powerful reminder of how one gift can touch countless lives.

Helping this tradition live on

As residents are living longer, and as demand grows, we now face increasing pressure to maintain this treasured tradition. The value of the vouchers has already had to be reduced to £15, and the Association currently meets an annual shortfall to keep the fund going.

To ensure this wonderful legacy continues for future generations, we warmly invite those who believe in the spirit of community, compassion and neighbourliness to support the Christmas Fund. Every contribution, large or small, directly helps us continue delivering a moment of joy to residents who have reached this special milestone age.

Your support will help keep Major Allnatt’s legacy alive spreading smiles each Christmas and honouring the values that define almshouses across the country.

If you would like to help sustain this tradition, please consider supporting the Christmas Fund today by contacting Almshousesupport@almshouses.org

posted 3 December 2025

105 Years Young – May Gilbert

Eventide Homes almshouse resident celebrates an incredible birthday milestone

Warmest birthday congratulations go to May Gilbert, a resident of Eventide Homes in Bournemouth, who celebrated her 105th birthday on 26 November 2025.

It was a truly special occasion, marked with a celebratory party at the Miramar Hotel in Bournemouth. May was delighted to honour such a remarkable milestone with her friends and family, celebrating both her long life and the strong community spirit that defines Eventide Homes.

May has been part of the Eventide Homes community for 33 years, during which time she has remained a well-known and much-valued resident.

May is pictured below with her granddaughter, Kim.

posted 2 December 2025

Building for the future: four new almshouses in Ottery St. Mary

How The Almshouse Association’s £100,000 loan enabled Ottery Feoffee Charity’s most ambitious development in decades.

Ottery Feoffee Charity is a long-standing almshouse charity serving the parish of Ottery St. Mary, Devon, with origins tracing back to 1440 when local benefactor John Lawrence gifted land and housing for the support of elderly parishioners.

Over the centuries the Charity has continued to provide accommodation for those in need, expanding and rebuilding its sites through the contributions of figures such as Robert Hone, William Sherman and Henry Beaumont. As of 2025, the Charity manages 22 homes across three sites, offering secure, affordable accommodation to both individuals and couples.

In recent years, the trustees identified an urgent need to increase the availability of almshouse housing in response to a growing list of applicants. The Charity owned a plot previously occupied by a second-hand portable classroom, acquired in the 1970s for community use, which had since become outdated and underused. After careful consideration, the trustees concluded that redeveloping this land into new almshouse accommodation would provide far greater long-term benefit to local people.

The Almshouse Association played a central role in enabling this vision. In 2024, the Association awarded Ottery Feoffee Charity a £100,000 interest-free loan over ten years, providing essential financial support toward the construction of a new block of four one-bedroom almshouse flats on the site. This contribution formed a cornerstone of the project’s funding package and gave the Charity the confidence and capacity to proceed with what is its most ambitious building project in decades.

Their interim report on the build outlines the background to the development, the steps taken to bring the project forward, the challenges encountered, and the progress achieved to date, highlighting the significant impact that The Almshouse Association’s support has had in helping the Charity expand its provision for the community it has served for nearly six centuries.

The Charity’s report can be access by clicking below:

Ottery Feoffee Charity Feoffee Rise Report 2025 Download

Did you know?

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. We are most grateful to 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 26 November 2025

Kendal Almshouse Charity unveils two new eco-homes

Plaque unveiling at Kendal Almshouse Charity, which created two new, state-of-the-art homes for vulnerable people in South Cumbria, signalling a new era in social housing in the region.

Residents have now moved into the new almshouses. Each property is eco-friendly and highly energy efficient, with each comprising one bedroom, a bathroom and open-plan living, kitchen and dining area. The homes are built to high thermal efficiency standards and feature air-source heating and solar panels to generate electricity.

Kendal Almshouse Charity saw the potential to build two new homes on the site of a single 1950s dwelling which had been in trust and for the occupation of over-55s with strong local connections. This site, on Romney Road and near the Kendal War Memorial, benefits from easy access to the town centre while also being in a quiet neighbourhood surrounded by trees and wildlife.

Back in 2019, the trustees of Kendal Almshouse Charity began exploring options for the 1950s bungalow, known as Romleigh, when it became vacant. The trustees, in conjunction with H&H Land and Estates, explored various options in conjunction with leading specialists in the social housing sector. Ultimately, the most cost-effective and modern solution was to demolish the existing bungalow and develop two state-of-the-art one-bedroom bungalows on the site.

No building project is ever without its challenges and various obstacles such as the Covid pandemic, global events and escalating inflation all contributed to the equation! The work is now fully complete, and the first residents have moved in.

_{Kendal Almshouse Charity with their Almshouse Association Innovation for Living Award}

Commenting on the project, Kendal Almshouses Chair Peter Ducksbury said,

“I am delighted we have created two beautiful new homes in Kendal for local people aged 55 or over who are in need. We are very proud of these beautiful new homes which bring our total number of houses to 42. Each property – old or new – is individual in its design and location. Our residents are our first priority and we aim to support them well through building quality new homes such as these or maintaining existing properties to the best of our ability.

“Our retained managing agents are H&H Land & Estates, who helped steer the building project through the many stages of concept, planning, design, development and fit-out.

“Our new homes have been made possible by funding awarded through the Community Led Homes Fund to assist with pre-development costs, including preparing tender documents and applying to Homes England for a grant under their Affordable Homes Programme. Grant funding was also secured from Homes England and the South Lakeland District Council (now Westmorland & Furness Council), as well as a loan and through Kendal Almshouses’ own reserves.”

Building work was awarded to Fylde Joinery & Building Services Ltd.

posted 26 November 2025

St John’s launches £5m expansion of almshouse provision in Bath

St John’s Foundation invests £5million into upgrading and creating new affordable housing for older people in Bath.

St John’s Foundation is investing £5 million over the next three years to create new almshouses and refurbish existing ones, building on its long-standing mission to support older adults. The project will see up to 15 new safe and affordable homes made available for people aged 65 and over who are facing financial hardship, ensuring they have both a home and a supportive community to live in.

Once complete, St John’s will provide up to 109 almshouses, placing it among the top 2% of providers nationally. The project underlines the vital role that charities can play in their communities in response to today’s housing crisis.

_{Almshouse concept. Credit: St John’s Foundation}

“This is one of the most important and exciting projects in our history. We know how much of a difference almshouses make – not just by providing affordable housing, but by creating a community of friendship and support that reduces loneliness and gives people a stronger sense of belonging and purpose. Older people are at the heart of everything we do, and this investment means we will be able to welcome more people into our community and give them the security of a safe home.”
Catharine Brown, Chief Executive of St John’s Foundation

The new development comes at a time when Bath faces a severe housing challenge. House prices in Bath and North East Somerset are over 13 times the average salary, making it one of the least affordable places to live in the UK. There is less social housing available in BaNES compared to the national average, with more households in temporary accommodation than at any point in the last 20 years. At the same time, the number of people aged 65+ is expected to grow by 15% by 2028. Against this backdrop, St John’s commitment will provide a vital lifeline – safe, affordable homes, built around community and connection.

“St John’s Foundation has always played a vital role in our city, and this new investment will make a real difference to older people here in Bath, especially at a time when housing is such a challenge here. Creating more almshouses means more people will have the security of an affordable home as well as the support of a strong community. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have for generations to come.”
Wera Hobhouse, MP for Bath

The £5million investment also includes improvement works at St John’s Combe Park almshouses, helping to modernise and future-proof these homes so current residents can enjoy warm, efficient and comfortable living spaces.

As part of this major investment, St John’s will be relocating its headquarters from Chapel Court to another of its buildings. 1 Queen Square will now host the offices for the charity, alongside clients of the House of St John’s, a co-working and events space which is operated as part of the charity’s trading company. The space which will continue to offer Bath a unique place to connect, work and celebrate with purpose.

The charity expects the new almshouses to be completed by 2027, subject to planning approval.

About St John’s Foundation
For over 850 years, St John’s Foundation has been changing people’s lives for good. As one of the UK’s oldest charities, it proudly serves Bath and the surrounding area.
At the heart of its work is an almshouse community, where housing is provided for older adults in need. Alongside this, St John’s runs outreach services that help older adults in Bath and North East Somerset (BaNES) live independently for longer. Drawing on centuries of expertise and resources, St John’s now supports even more people in the community by offering direct help to individuals of all ages facing financial crisis.
The charity also works to reduce the Key Stage 2 education attainment gap in the BaNES area, which is the widest in the country. It addresses this by providing specialist support to the children who need it most. Every aspect of St John’s work is grounded in its values of trust, kindness, and courage, and guided by its purpose: to change lives. For good. It is a long-term strategy, but an unwavering one, as demonstrated by more than eight centuries of service.

posted 26 November 2025

Lord-Lieutenant visits Association’s new Windsor office

His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant visits The Almshouse Association’s new Windsor offices: A celebration of heritage and member community

On a crisp November morning, His Majesty’s Lord‑Lieutenant of the Royal County of Berkshire, Andrew Try, Esq., DL, visited our newly opened offices – Leonard Hackett House, at 19-21 Victoria Street, Windsor. He also toured the ‘Keep’, our secondary office space, leased to support the operations of the new premises.

His Lordship was particularly impressed by the almshouse movement timeline, a central design feature which will adorn the office walls. The wall displays will be a graphical celebration of the history of this enduring community-led housing model, featuring photographs, archival images, and a detailed UK map of almshouse locations for visitors to view and admire.

There will also be a Wall of Thanks dedicated to all our supporters who have contributed in some way over the past 80 years.

Throughout the visit, he commended the office’s thoughtful architectural design, highlighting its seamless integration of modern functionality with historical character. The tour underscored the innovative vision of the new workspace, which not only honours the organisation’s heritage but also serves as a dynamic hub where members can connect, collaborate, and engage with one another.

CEO of The Almshouse Association commented,

“The Chair, myself and the staff of The Almshouse Association were delighted to welcome the Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire to our new offices in Windsor. After more than 50 years in Wokingham, a generous gift and legacy from former General Secretary Leonard Hackett enabled the Association to sell its small, outdated premises and relocate to a modern office in the heart of Windsor—just a short walk from Windsor Castle and our Patron, His Majesty King Charles.

During his visit, Andrew Try, the Lord-Lieutenant for Windsor and Berkshire, expressed his admiration for the work of the Association and its members, and kindly introduced us to several local charities with shared interests.”

posted 24 November 2025

_{Leonard Hackett with Mrs Hobbs at our old Billingbear offices in Wokingham}

Our new office in Windsor, Berkshire, Leonard Hackett House, honour the late Leonard Hackett, the Association’s first General Secretary, who generously left his house and attached offices to The Almshouse Association in his Will.

Celebrating a Century

Eileen Terry turns 100!

Isleworth & Houslow Almshouse Charity were thrilled to celebrate a truly remarkable milestone recently—their beloved resident, Eileen Terry, turned 100 years old on Tuesday, 28 October 2025!

To mark this special occasion, they organised a surprise birthday party in her honour. The celebration was attended by over 30 guests, including the Mayor of Hounslow, who joined them in recognising Eileen’s incredible milestone. The room was filled with laughter, heartfelt wishes, and shared memories as friends, family, and fellow residents came together to celebrate her century of life.

Eileen has been part of the Tolson House community since 2012, and her presence has enriched the lives of everyone around her. It was a joy to mark this extraordinary moment and to show her just how cherished she is.

Here’s to Eileen—a remarkable resident and a wonderful part of our community!

Yorkshire & Lancashire Regional Meeting Highlights

Nick Phillips was invited to attend the recent Yorkshire and Lancashire Regional Meeting hosted by The Peter Birtwhistle Trust.

The event brought together a highly engaged group of trustees who contributed to a lively and thoughtful discussion throughout the session. Attendees raised a wide range of thought-provoking questions, reflecting both their commitment to good governance and their interest in sharing experiences across the region.

One of the most significant concerns voiced during the meeting was the challenge of succession planning, both in terms of recruiting new trustees and ensuring continuity in clerking services. The conversation highlighted the importance of long-term planning, knowledge transfer, and supporting the next generation of governance professionals.

Sincere thanks go to Sue, Alison, and Alan (Chair) for their warm hospitality and for organising such an informative and stimulating event. Their efforts created a welcoming environment that encouraged open dialogue and meaningful exchange among all participants.

posted 17 November 2025

Picture-perfect moments of community spirit

📸The results are in! 📸

Our latest photography competition has showcased the warmth, joy and connection that make almshouse life so special.

Residents captured wonderful moments across themes including Over the Garden Fence, Tea with Neighbours, Friendship, Garden Days and Community Spirit. Judges, including our award-winning professional photographer, Richard Gray, praised the exceptional standard, saying, “They were all winners in their own way.”

After much deliberation, the panel selected:

🏆 Winner: Cutbush and Corall – “Tea with Neighbours”
🎖️ Runner-up: Chubbs Almshouses – “Community Spirit”

The winner will receive a luxury afternoon tea voucher (£150) and framed certificate, while the runner-up will take home a £50 M&S voucher and framed certificate.

From lively garden chats to tea shared with neighbours, each entry told a heart warming story of friendship and community spirit.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the competition!

posted 11 November 2025

Case Study: Frederick John Cleminson for Almshouses

The Almshouse Association provided Frederick John Cleminson for Almshouses with a £25,000 grant in 2024 to allow for the refurbishment of the kitchen and bathroom and relocation of the downstairs toilet in Cottage No.3.

With the project completed the Charity has kindly prepared a case study for us to share with you.

Background

The F.J. Cleminson Trust for Almshouses manages four Grade II listed almshouses in the small rural village of Willingale, in Essex.

Built in the early 1600s these cottages were later donated to the village to provide safe, affordable housing for elderly people in the community, continuing the philanthropic legacy of Frederick John Cleminson (1878–1943).

Each cottage is unique in layout and size, and the buildings retain many original features and are an important part of the village’s heritage. Over recent years, the focus of the trustees (themselves residents of the village) has been on essential external repairs to make the cottages watertight and preserve their historic character.

Identifying the need

The trustees became aware that Cottage No. 3 required urgent attention as the beneficiary was struggling with accessibility due to an outdated bath and poor shower facilities. In addition, the kitchen was extremely cramped, providing restricted accessibility and was outdated compared to the other cottages.

Having invested significantly in external repairs in recent years, the Charity’s remaining funds were committed to maintaining essential operations and reserves. The trustees faced a challenge in addressing the pressing needs of this beneficiary with no surplus available to invest in further repairs or improvements.

Applying for support

The trustees were aware that grants might be available from The Almshouse Association and applied for a grant of £25,000 to cover the required work in this cottage. The Association’s team was exceptionally supportive, guiding us through the application process and ensuring we met all requirements. We were thrilled to be awarded the grant, which made the project possible.

The project

After securing three quotes, we selected a competitive local builder for the project. The plan included:

Complete refurbishment of the kitchen, including moving a wall to create more space.
Relocation of the downstairs toilet for improved accessibility within the kitchen.
Full renovation of the upstairs bathroom to provide safer, easier showering for current and future beneficiaries.

Bathroom, before, during and after

Work began in early July. Due to the scale of the project and the cottage’s small size, our beneficiary was temporarily relocated. As expected with a building of this age, we encountered some unforeseen issues cause by old pipes, uneven floors and ceilings and complex wiring, which extended the timeline.

The original location of the toilet cut into useable kitchen space

Site of relocation (unused end of living area) allowed for extension of kitchen.

Impact

Despite the challenges, the outcome has transformed the rooms. The improvements have revolutionised daily life for our resident, making her home safer and more comfortable. She celebrated her 80th birthday shortly after returning, proudly showing her family the refurbished cottage.

The kitchen, before during and after

Gratitude and acknowledgements

We are deeply grateful to The Almshouse Association for their generous grant, which addressed our greatest concern and secured the future of Cottage No. 3. Special thanks to Jo Williamson for her helpful visit and to Fenella Hall for her ongoing support throughout the process.

The Almshouse Association 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.

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 10 November 2025