A Celebration Event at Jonathan Feedham Court .
Held on Saturday 18th September 2021, the event was to mark the completion of the new courtyard with its raised flower beds, new paved surface and seating for the seven residents in this set of almshouses, one of two sets managed by the Wivenhoe Housing Trust.
The trustees also turned it into an opportunity to mark The Almshouse Association’s 75th Anniversary by choosing a 1940s themed party, which was held in the new courtyard.
Vice chair of the almshouse charity, Bob Needham, brought his colleagues from the Wivenhoe Hoolies to entertain the 30 or so people who came. The Hoolies are a local sea shanty group, which was appropriate as Jonathan Feedham was himself a sea-faring man and whose legacy funded the building of these particular 7 bungalows with preference for people with maritime connections.
Wivenhoe Hoolies To everyone’s delight, The Hoolies sang a sea shanty especially written for the almshouses,
Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association, was delighted to be able to attend, along with the local Mayor, Cllr Andrea Luxford Vaughan.
Guests included residents from both almshouses, trustees and additional people related to the almshouses.
Guests enjoying the day
Almshouse Association Honorary Treasurer, Simon Ling FCA sent us in photos of the Ashtead United Charity Garden Party.
A fabulous day was had by all as the sun shined. The marquee and chairs were borrowed from the Church and the tea, including the magnificent cake, was provided by the lady who also runs the Church cafe.
Chairman and Rector of the Parish of St Giles and St George Ashtead, Richard Jones, cutting the cake. Local MP, Chris Grayling, chatting to trustees and residents
Click here for more almshouse charity celebrations
Over 70 years ago, Major Allnatt, a successful businessman and philanthropist who worked closely with and supported our founding General Secretary, Leonard Hackett, left a Christmas legacy to the Association.
Residents at Saffron Walden almshouses receive their Christmas vouchers – 2020 The Almshouse Association invested the money to support his wish that every Christmas, gifts were given to almshouse residents over 90 years old.
He wished his name to remain a secret until his death, many years ago now, but his legacy has lived on and it gives the Association great pleasure to continue to honour his wishes every Christmas.
It is fair to say that when The Almshouse Association Christmas Fund* began over 70 years ago there were a lot less 90 year olds in almshouses; this year we have a wonderful, record number of almshouse residents over 90 who will shortly be receiving their Christmas gift.
Member Support Officers (and part-time Christmas elves), Susan and Danielle (pictured above) have been busy collecting all the names and posting out 688 Christmas gifts to the delivery elves at 135 almshouse charities!
Residents at Philipot’s almshouses receive their Christmas vouchers – 2020 *We hope to be able to continue this tradition for many years to come, however this year for the first time, the Association has needed to top up the fund to ensure that as many 90+ year old residents as possible receive a Christmas gift. If you would like to support the Christmas Fund or you are thinking about leaving a legacy in your will, please do get in touch.
Posted 7 December 21
The Almshouse Association is excited to publish a new report, produced by Housing LIN, on the financial benefits of almshouses.
This report represents the first significant investigation into the financial benefits almshouses provide to society and creates a strong foundation for further investigation.
The key findings of the report are:
£43m total financial benefit per year Almshouse residents are less likely to use domiciliary care Residents make less GP appointments and are less likely to visit A&E Almshouse contribute to local economies through their staff and volunteers with an estimated value of £56m. We would like to thank Housing LIN for producing such a detailed and insightful report. We hope that you enjoy reading it!
The full report can be found here .
Photograph courtesy of Whiteley Homes Trust
Posted 15 November 21
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Almshouses will be holding a session to discuss the research on the significant financial benefits provided by the almshouse movement on November 18th 2021, 3-4pm.
The session will see a discussion on the findings of the report and what they mean for the future provision of almshouses across the country. Speakers include:
Nick Phillips – Chief Executive | The Almshouse Association Jeremy Porteus – Chief Executive | Housing LIN If you would like to register for this virtual meeting, please click on the registration button below:
If you have any questions, please do get in touch with Jack Baldan via jackbaldan@almshouses.org
Posted 2 November 21
Robert Smith Trust almshouses in Brancaster, Norfolk put on a special tea party to celebrate the Associations 75th anniversary of a lovely and warm September afternoon.
They welcomed all residents, trustees and local tradesmen who had generously given their time during the recent building project. Partygoers also included the Chair of the Parish Council, the head teacher of the local school, their tenant farmer and the Vicar.
The Chairman gave a warm welcome to all and his grandchildren were brilliant at replacing cups of tea and fetching and carrying.
Their wonderful photos capture what a happy afternoon everyone spent together. Many thanks to Jane Gould, Clerk to the Trustees, for sending them into us.
Almshouses have played an important role in social housing for over a thousand years.
They are the result of a bequest and of social activism, with the original benefactors keen to support those in housing need and poverty – in perpetuity.
“One of the earliest forms of bequest, almshouses are as relevant today as they have been throughout the ages, but who will be the next generation of philanthropists?” Dan Cruikshank, British art historian, BBC television presenter and Almshouse Association Ambassador
Almshouse charities today are pivotal within local communities and continue to support generation after generation of local people in housing need, so it has been fitting that during our 75th year, The Almshouse Association has been having conversations about the benefits of almshouses and just how important legacies are to us and to our member charities.
Please click here to read the article on almshouses featured in the Daily Telegraph on Saturday 30th October 21 as part the nationwide ‘Remember a Charity’ campaign.
Our plan to support our members to build thousands of new almshouses in the next 10 years across the country is achievable – with your help. We are seeing the almshouse movement getting more attention in The House of Lords, The House of Commons, the Church of England’s ‘Coming Home’ report on tackling the housing crisis, and highlighted in a number of recent White Papers on Social Housing. These are exciting times! But we need to do more!
Leave a legacy – support generation after generation – in perpetuity
Across the country many of our member charities are looking to do more too. They want to build, refurbish and improve their almshouses. The almshouse movement is growing and becoming a significant part of the response to the affordable housing crisis across the country with 36,000 people living in almshouses today.
We have joined forces with ‘Remember a Charity’ who are actively working to encourage more people to leave a gift in their will. They give advice on will writing and we are proud to be one of the 200+ charities they are working with to ‘act today to make a difference tomorrow’.
Thinking about leaving a legacy and want to talk about it? Click to leave you contact details and we will call you directly
Posted 4 November 21
Popple’s almshouses, run by the Elizabeth Wadsworth Trust in Halifax, made the local news with their garden party to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of The Almshouse Association.
They hung out our special anniversary bunting and The Mayor and Mayoress of Calderdale performed the opening ceremony by cutting the tape.
Residents, families, friends and neighbours, trustees and staff all attended and the North Halifax Councillors and headteacher of our local primary school were also invited.
“The Trustees provided a substantial buffet and we were entertained by a local group called The Landlubbers.
Many thanks to Elizabeth Moore, Clerk to The Trustees of Elizabeth Wadsworth Charity for sending in these photos and writing in to tell us all about it!
Popple’s Almshouses were founded by philanthropist Elizabeth Wadsworth in 1832 to benefit single ladies aged 50 years and above. Elizabeth had connections with Anne Lister, as dramatised in the TV series Gentleman Jack , and wrote diaries from 1817-1829, around the same time as Ms Lister.
During Trustees’ Week, we want to celebrate the dedication and inspiration of all our member trustees who run the 1600+ almshouse charities across the UK.
Almshouses are special. They offer a safe, secure, affordable home for local people in housing need. They give the most vulnerable in our communities a place to call home, opening doors to better lives. Almshouses create micro-communities where people can live independently yet be supported by neighbours.
Trustees are the silent heroes who offer their time, care and attention, voluntarily, to run and manage their almshouses to support the continued provision of safe and secure self-sufficient low cost community housing, for people in housing need.
Dating back to the 10th Century, almshouses are the oldest form of social housing; they are held in trust by local people for local people in perpetuity, generation after generation. It is from these solid foundations that we can all champion the movement and ensure the continuance of their legacies for many generations to come.
Trustees are vital to the almshouse movement. They are essential to the longevity of almshouses, ensuring the legacies left in their care can continue and thrive into the future.
We thank all the trustees who work tirelessly to provide their residents with safe, warm secure homes that endures the test of time.
More reading:
The Foord Almshouses in Priestfields, Rochester held their Almshouse Association 75th Anniversary Garden Party on a beautiful September day in their stunning grounds.
Deputy Mayor and June Bone Delicious food, special guests and a band ensured everyone enjoyed all getting together for the first time in a long time for their special day.
Clerk Joanne Guise sent in a lovely letter to the Association after the event, together with photos taken on the day.
The sunshine shone all day upon the 70 plus residents & guests who attended including the Deputy Mayor of Medway Councillor Kirstine Carr & her consort Mr Tony Setter.
A wonderful fun afternoon was had by all.
Happy Anniversary and thank you for all your ongoing support.
Joanne Guise
Thank you to everyone at The Foords Almshouses for joining in our celebrations and sending in your fabulous photos!
Foord Almshouses staff