Professor Nick Crowson, Professor of Contemporary British History at the University of Birmingham, led the research project which offers unprecedented insights into the lived experiences of residents at Birmingham’s historic almshouses, including detailed case studies from Lench’s properties.

Nick Crowson explains “‘Through exploring the every day lived experiences of the residents of these iconic Birmingham almhouses we see how these institutions, intended for some of society’s most vulnerable, were shaped as homes as much by the residents themselves as by staff and trustees.”

The research, titled ‘Almshouses, Old Age and the Welfare State in Modern Britain,’ reveals the hidden-in-history stories of individual residents and demonstrates how almshouses like Lench’s Trust provide not just housing, but vibrant communities that supported independence and dignity in later life.

Dominic Bradley, chief executive of Lench’s Trust, said: “This research provides invaluable documentation of our long history of caring for Birmingham’s residents.

“It shows that our almshouses were never simply ‘final destinations’ but rather enabled older people to maintain active, independent lives within supportive communities – a vision that remains true today.

“As we mark our 500th anniversary, it is work such as this that allows us to fully understand the lessons and lives of the past, to understand our next innovative steps. It is incredible in a way to reflect that 500 years on from now, someone will be reviewing our milestone year and all the new schemes, new services, partnerships and residents’ lives we’ve captured.”

Using newly-available material from the 1921 census and 1939 register, the research brings to light extraordinary stories of Lench’s residents, including Ellen Rebecca Vale, who lived at the Ladywood Road almshouse and famously responded to the 1911 census marital status question with poetry: “Single I am, Which pleaseth me best – I had several good offers – You may Guess the rest.”

The research also documents the evolution of care at Lench’s properties, tracing the transition from community-based matrons like the celebrated Ann Starling (1788-1891), who served at Ladywood Street for over 50 years, to professionally qualified nursing staff by the early 20th century.

Historical records show that exceptional longevity among Lench’s residents dates back centuries. In 1840, Rebecca Hodgetts died aged 97 at the Dudley Street property, while Jane Upton lived to 100 at the same address in 1914. This mirrors contemporary research suggesting almshouse residents enjoy increased life expectancy, attributed to strong community bonds and reduced isolation.

The study positions almshouses like Lench’s as pioneers of “independent living” models that have influenced modern approaches to elderly care. As the welfare state faces increasing pressures, the study suggests that the community-focused, small-scale model pioneered by organisations like Lench’s Trust offers valuable lessons for modern elderly care provision.

The study used innovative methodology combining census data, genealogical research, institutional records, and digitised newspaper archives to reconstruct the individual life stories of almshouse residents.

The research for this article was, in part, made possible with funding from the University of Birmingham QR Policy Support Fund for the ‘Utopias in Crisis’ project and University of Birmingham’s College of Arts and Law Graduate Scholar Scheme.

For more information about Lench’s Trust, visit: www.lenchs-trust.co.uk

To access the full academic paper, visit: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14780038.2025.2550071?src=

‘I found shelter here’ – the special Nottingham homes offering the elderly a lifeline

George Palmer-Soady who writes for Nottinghamshire Live kindly has kindly given us permission to republish his article on The John & Eliza Jelley almshouses and how happy the residents are too be living there:

When thinking about Derby Road – one of Nottingham’s busiest streets – you might not picture a peaceful and calm haven.

The city centre street is synonymous with landlocked traffic, disruptive roadworks, and being the home of the Queen’s Medical Centre hospital.

Yet hidden just off the main road, away from the inner-city hustle and bustle, sits The John & Eliza Jelley almshouses. Built almost 100 years ago, the 26 properties were set up to provide safe, secure and affordable housing for older Nottingham residents.

After a prosperous building career, John Jelley died in 1914, leaving left behind £30,000 – roughly around £3.5m today. Before his death, he asked that money to be used “for the building and endowment for the building of almshouses for people in reduced circumstances”.

Almost 100 years later, the homes serve that same purpose today. Residents pay weekly maintenance contributions of between £93 and £109 a week and many are unable to work due to age or ill health.

“I was living in Beeston and the landlord decided he had to sell, so I got evicted and found shelter here,” says Graham Taylor. Previously a music journalist for magazines like NME, Graham moved to Nottingham to do a PhD and became an academic.

One of the newer residents at the homes, the 77-year-old moved in last year and says he’s felt “so much more secure” since. “You know the landlords aren’t out for profit so they’re not going to throw you out and put the rent up,” he continued.

Graham lives in one of the 20 one-bedroom flats at the homes. There are also six two-bedroom homes designed for couples, and a shared laundry room that doubles up as the indoor meeting space.

Down a few doors from Graham is Phil Featherstone. He came to the almshouses in 2016 after his wife passed away. “The house was far too big for me and I don’t think I would have managed,” the 73-year-old said. After joining the military as a young man, Philip returned to Nottinghamshire and worked down the mines for 20 years.

“I worked down the pits at Cotgrave, but I got made redundant when they closed it down”. Beating Phil by eight years, Jenny and Ray Davies moved to the almshouses in 2008.

After the couple had their four children, Jenny worked part-time at the Raleigh factory around Ray’s shifts at Royal Mail, where he worked as a postie for 35 years. “We’re very lucky – it’s like a little village here,” Jenny said.

“They are good landlords – if you need anything doing, it gets done. We’re all pensioners and we’re on a fixed income so that goes a long way and very few people have left over the years.

“They look after you,” Ray added. “And you’ve got any worries about paying rent – that gets rid of a lot of the stress”. Tucked away only a stones throw from the main entrance of Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC), the homes were built years before any mention of the hospital.

Back then, the land in Lenton was just empty fields – no tramlines and no hospital. But today the views from the gardens at the John and Eliza Jelley homes are very different. The back of the huge brown-bricked building creeps behind bushes and trees from residents’ back gardens, where the rest of Nottingham city feels miles away.

“I always tell people ‘if I was to get thrown over my fence, I’d be in A&E’,” Phil quips. “If you ring for an ambulance and they say it will take three hours – you’ve got time to crawl down there,” added Graham.

Perhaps its the overdominance of QMC, or the fast-paced nature of the street, but if you blink while walking down Derby Road, you really would miss the John and Eliza Jelley homes.

Behind the brick fence and bushes, the properties sit in a semicircle around greenery, benches and flowerpots. Residents sit together in the square with a cups of tea, chatting in the sun.

“It’s like a nature reserve – sometimes we get deers and badgers from Wollaton Park,” Phil says. “It’s like a little haven behind the trees and bushes”. The oldest resident at the homes is 92 and the youngest in their late 50s.

As the centenary of the John and Eliza Lilley homes takes place this June, those who maintain and run the properties have a lot to be proud of. The homes are administrated by a group of local trustees, including Anna Chandler, who got involved in 2008 and has been working as the site’s Scheme Manager since.

“I cant believe I get paid to do this job – I love settling people in and I have so much pride when we’re moving people into the homes,” she said. “You watch the residents move in and before you know it, they’ve been here 16 years and it’s their forever home.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve got here – we’re not rogue landlords and we’re not going to sell these properties or throw people out and get new people in at a higher rent. Working here just makes my heart sing”.

Anna’s dad, Tony, who became a clerk three years ago, added: “I tell friends that I work here and I’m proud of it”.

“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.”