Worcester Municipal Charities has created another 4 flats for the single homeless in Worcester city centre, taking the total they own to 68, which, together with their other 32 “retirement almshouses” makes it a grand total of “100 not out”.

Robin Walker, Worcester MP and Worcester Mayor Adrian Gregson, with Paul Griffith MBE, Chairman of the Charity, together with the Charity’s trustees and onlookers at “Inglethorpe Court” in the Hopmarket Yard on Friday 13 January 2023 .

Since 2012 the Charity has created 68 new “affordable” almshouse flats for the single homeless, raising the money by selling some commercial properties and then a generous grant of £200,000 from Homes England which made the whole project immediately viable.  

The four flats were created from two ancient former warehouse annexes for the old Anderson and Virgo’s Chemists shop at 12 Foregate Street. When it closed down and became the Good News Shop, the warehouses became surplus to requirements and deteriorated over the years. They were landlocked, so repairs were problematic and they were taken over by pigeons. For a short time they were used as offices by Citizens’ Advice but were no longer needed after the pandemic.

The appointed architects for the building works were Lett & Sweetland, with builders D & S Contractors. The very high quality of the conversion and fitting out was generally the subject of much admiration on the day.

Richard Inglethorpe, in whose memory the 4 flats have been named, was a wealthy benevolent brewer, who originally donated six almshouses to the Charity, now long since gone.

Inglethorpe’s will of 1618 ordained that the almshouses should be awarded to:

“six poor men of the said City being of honest life and report, and such as are either very aged, blind, lame, sick of the palsy, or falling sickness, and by reason of their age or infirmity of body, are not able to work and labour for their living, and also one poor woman, being likewise of honest life and report, and of the age of 50 years at the least, or upwards, which woman shall wash the clothes of the said six poor men, make their beds and attend upon them in all times of their sickness to help them and provide things necessary for them.”

Charity Chairman Paul Griffith commented,

“We won’t be appointing a similar handmaiden here, as I understand times have changed since then, and that some men may even make their own beds!”

WORCESTER MUNICIPAL CHARITIES (CIO) met on 25^th January for their ANNUAL TRUSTEES’ MEETING 2023 and agreed to £453,170.62 in grants to “charities doing the most, for those in greatest financial need in Worcester”. To read about how the charity will be spending their money in 2023 and past projects, click here: www.almshouses.org/news/worcester-municipal-charity-awards-435170-62-in-grants

posted March 2023

Girton Town Charity Celebrates Handover Of New Homes for local residents

A Cambridge charity is marking the completion of a £5 million building project to create 15 new energy-efficient almshouses for local residents.

Following an 18-month building programme, Girton Town Charity took ownership of Dovehouse Court, where all the homes have been built to stringent Passivhaus standards to achieve maximum energy efficiency. The development also includes a new office for the charity.

The project was funded by Girton Town Charity (GTC) and a £675,000 grant from the Combined Authority, and delivered by Barnes Construction, Northmores and Mole Architects.

The homes have been designed for extended independent living with an internal layout that includes a master bedroom and small second room, open plan living/kitchen/dining area with access to balconies or individual terraces on the ground floor. There’s also a central communal landscaped garden with seating, an orchard and allotments. 

Being built to Passivhaus standards results in low energy costs and improved indoor air quality, all made possible by installing energy-efficient windows and doors, with stricter levels of airtightness,  mechanical ventilation and heat recovery, as well as high levels of building insulation.

Ann Bonnett, Chair of GTC said:

“This is a major milestone for us and we are delighted to have now taken ownership of Dovehouse Court and after many years, seen our plans to futureproof housing in our Village come to fruition. I’d like to thank all the contractors who worked on the site for doing such a splendid job over the last 18 months as well as my fellow trustees.

“We are also very grateful to the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority which has given us a grant of £675,000 towards the cost of creating these new homes to be appreciated by residents for many years to come.”

Matthew Ramplin, Senior Contracts Manager, Barnes Construction added:

“Dovehouse Court has been a special project for us, building to Passivhaus standards to create energy-efficient almshouses that will be cost-effective to run and comfortable for residents. I’d like to thank our consultant team, our own team on-site and also GTC for giving us the opportunity to be part of its vision to expand housing provision in the Village.”

Over the next few weeks, GTC will be welcoming back residents who lived in the former bungalows on the site, as well as inviting applications from Girton residents over 55 or those who have a close connection to the Village and would like to be considered for one of the homes.

To photo, left to right:  Jamie Saunders, Director, Northmores; Matthew Ramplin, Senior Contracts Manager, Barnes Construction; Ann Bonnett, Chair, Girton Town Charity; Robin Hiley, Trustee, Girton Town Charity and Ian Bramwell, Director, Mole Architects.

 www.girtontowncharity.org.uk

posted March 2023

The last 12 months have seen major changes for Wyggestons, the charity which has been successfully providing sheltered housing, housing related support and care services for vulnerable older people in Leicester for the last 500 years.

Not only did they complete an impressive extension to their facilities, but they were also named as one of the best construction projects in Leicestershire, having won one of only seven awards given by ProCon Leicestershire awards.

Submitted by Corporate Architecture, Wyggestons were thrilled to win the award for ‘Large Residential Scheme of the Year’ at the annual award ceremony at the King Power Stadium on 10^th November 2022.

‘Lancaster House’, the imposing new three-storey extension to the already established facilities, has added high quality accommodation, comprised of six bungalows and eight one and two-bedroom flats, as well as a new administration hub, conference room and community lounge.

Originally founded as an almshouse charity in 1513, Wyggestons has now improved current facilities for residents and staff, bringing them in line with modern day requirements whilst providing more housing to expand the amount of older people Wyggestons can assist, through a sustainable development. The project has enabled the charity to accommodate hundreds of residents across the almshouses and residential care facilities, set within five acres of private grounds in the Westcotes suburb, within easy reach of the city centre facilities and transport links.

Chris Jones, CEO of Wyggestons, says:

“The ProCon award really was the icing on the cake last year. We’re so proud of our new facilities and the difference they are making to our residents and visitors, and not to forget the staff too. It’s just wonderful that that project has been recognised in this way.”

Wyggestons worked with Andrew Granger and Co. whose role was to manage all the elements and liaise with the key stakeholders to bring this project to fruition, whilst working alongside local architect Corporate Architecture.

More information on Wyggestons can be found at www.wyggestons.org.uk.

Posted March 23

Chris Wilson, CEO/Clerk to the trustees of Southwark Charities recently recorded a podcast about the charity’s plans to build a new almshouse development in central London with construction starting shortly.

The architect of Southwarks new development, Justin Nicholls of Fathom Architects and Chris Wilson were contacted by Christine Murray from ‘The developer’ to talk about housing for older people in the city of London. 

“Figures from the 2021 census revealed there are 2.5m people aged 50 or older living in London, while the OECD estimates that older adults comprise 15% of the population of metropolitan areas of the UK. The OECD report calls for infrastructure and urban forms to be redesigned to consider walking, affordable housing and social participation as effective measures of preventative care.“

As Christine Murray from The Developer

“We know almshouses have been in existence for over 1,000 years yet they stand the test of time. They support independent living, yet alleviate the isolation and loneliness that exist in anonymous tower blocks. They are places of sanctuary and safety where residents experience a sense of community and compassion.”

Chris Wilson, CEO/Clerk Southwark Charities

To read the article and listen to the podcast, please click in the link below:

posted 1 March 2023

Trustees and residents of The Haven of Rest Almshouses in Maidenhead welcomed the Rt Hon Theresa May MP to their almshouses last November.  

Above photo: Bob, Mary, Eileen, (residents)Jo Thomas (Chair) Richard and Ron (residents)Teresa May, Cath Rowley (trustee) Penny (resident) Jane Cottrell (trustee) Photo credit: Ian Longthorne at Maidenhead Advertiser’

“The Haven has 12 bungalows and two flats so is  comparatively small but it is a wonderful friendly and supportive community. We had invited Theresa May to open our newly refurbished garden in the summer but she was unable to do so and so we were very pleased when her office contacted us to arrange a visit.  She spent an hour talking to some of the residents, trustees and Jo Thomas, Chair of the trustees.  She was very interested in the history of the Haven of Rest and impressed with the quality and high standard of the dwellings, buildings and gardens.”

Trustee Jan Cottrell

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posted February 2023

We were thrilled to see our very own Gerry Harmon published in the local Round & About magazine this month (February 23).

The Almshouse Association PR and Engagement Manager has been achieving a great success rate in raising the profile of almshouses in local publications and her most recent project looks at the fascinating history of Hurst Consolidated Charities.

“The charity’s origins began with two (now Grade II listed) brick built almshouses, provided by local benefactors…the almshouses in Twyford were built in 1640 at the request of Sir Richard Harrison and have six apartments…William Barker commissioned the Hurst almshouses in 1664 for ‘eight poor persons’….. over the centuries, smaller charities amalgamated, many of which provided pocket money, bread, coal, blankets and ‘bibles’ for ‘inmates’…..”

Updates in your Local Area • Wokingham & Winnersh • Round & About Magazine (roundandabout.co.uk

To read the article in full, please click here.

Are you holding a special event or anniversary in the coming months? Does your almshouse charity have a captivating history or maybe you have topical story to tell about one of your residents (with their full permission of course)?
If you would like to see if Gerry can raise the profile of your almshouse charity, highlight the benefits of almshouse living and showcase the good work of your trustees and staff, please do get in touch via gerryharmon@almshouses.org.

posted February 2023

Chris Wilson CEO of Southwark Charities, and Trustee & Treasurer at Community Southwark writes:

“As we get close to finalising the contract to build our new almshouse, which has been my main focus for the last 10 years, Christine Murray of The Developer invited Justin Nicholls from Fathom Architects and me to make a podcast about the challenges of creating a contemporary urban almshouse. You can read the accompanying article and listen to the podcast here:“

https://lnkd.in/gab35KWe

posted 6 February 2023

We always enjoy hearing from our members and its been great to work with Clerk to the Trustees, Kathryn Warner, who has been sending in stories and photos of the residents and events that have been taking place at the Charity of Ann Edwards, Diocese of Gloucester.

“As well as our Mews of 8 properties for singles and couples in Gloucester, the charity has also purchased two additional properties for beneficiaries – one in Cirencester for a couple, and one in Gloucester for a family.

The original Scheme was for women only, but it has been revised over the years to be more inclusive, which has enabled us to support families where appropriate. The Charity was originally set up for the benefit of widows and unmarried daughters of deceased clergy in the Diocese of Gloucester. It is now for people with an active Christian faith and who are in necessitous circumstances including, but not limited to financial hardship, disability (physical or mental), or age, with a preference for the widowed, and for children of deceased clergy who live in the Diocese of Gloucester. One of our younger residents recently told us about what living in an almshouse meant to her:”

“When I found myself a single mum with 5 young children, one of whom is disabled, I was terrified about how I would manage and where we would live. Would the needs of all my children be met? How would I provide for them? 

Living in an almshouse has provided us with the security we need, knowing we have support and a roof over our heads.

The house is adapted for my child with disabilities, and there are enough rooms so each of my children can have a bedroom each. I know without an alms house this would not have been possible and it is important they all have their own space. With the security of our home, we have been able to move forward together, put roots down and settle in a community. I have been able to care for my children whilst having a part time job.

I am so grateful for the provision of an almshouse, it has meant and continues to mean such a tremendous amount to my family. We are now thriving not surviving.”

Resident

Kathryn also sent in some great photos of when they welcomed local MP Richard Graham to the almshouses where he took the time to chat with residents and visit their beautiful gardens.

Please keep on sending in your photos and stories to us at karenmorris@almshouses.org; we love receiving them. it really makes our day!

January 2023

Former Worcester warehouses converted to almshouses

The Almshouse Association was delighted to be represented at Worcester Municipal Charities on 13^th January for the official opening of four splendid flats that the charity has created for the single homeless in the City Centre in what were two derelict warehouse annexes in the town.

Richard Inglethorpe, a wealthy benevolent brewer, originally donated six almshouses in his will of 1618 and the charity has developed to a great extent over the decades to the point that the new flats bring the total number of almshouse dwellings to 100. Due to the foresight, commitment and determination of the trustees yet more people in need in the area will be provided with safe, comfortable homes which are beautifully constructed and finished to a high standard. This is a great example of a long-established charity developing in modern times.  

Posted 19/01/2023