WEBINAR: Digital Switchover

Telecoms Network – is your emergency equipment ready? The official switchover deadline is just around the corner
Webinar date: Thursday 9th July 2026,  11am – 12 noon  

The UK’s telecoms network is turning off traditional analogue landlines (PSTN) and switching over to a faster digital network.  

While the official deadline for this change is January 2027, the network switch-offs are already taking place across the UK, potentially impacting almshouses with little notice. As a result, old analogue telecare equipment is silently failing.  

Time is running out. Managing this transition can be a burden for independent charities and voluntary boards, especially when dealing with older, historic, or listed buildings.

This webinar, hosted by Appello, a provider in digital telecare, will take trustees and clerks through the risks of not addressing the change and the simple, affordable options available to help keep residents safe. 

To register for the webinar that will be held on Thursday 9 July 2026 from 11am – 12 noon, please click below:

Digital Switchover webinar – click here

Can’t make the live session? Register anyway and Appello will email the recording after the webinar. 

Appello has already supported independent charities through this transition, having recently worked alongside Salisbury City Almshouse and Welfare Charities, upgrading their historic properties with digital-ready warden call systems and analogue-to-digital converters to ensure their residents remain fully protected. 

posted 8 June 2026

NEW WEBINARS

HOSTED BY INDEPENDENT AGE – Benefits when you reach State Pension age | Hoarding | Housing Benefit | Falls and how to avoid them

The Almshouse Association is pleased to offer a great selection of free webinars to members, hosted by Independent Age, over the coming months.

You can sign up for as many as you want, just click into the following ‘sign up here’ links and follow the instructions:

Benefits when you reach State Pension age

Thursday 2nd July, 10.30am

This webinar will cover how turning State Pension age affects certain benefits and other support your resident could get.

  • To join online: Sign up here
  • To join this webinar by phone: Call 020 3321 5200 a few minutes before the session is due to start and enter code 465 743 319#

Hoarding

Thursday 3rd September, 10.30am

Our Adviser Rachel will be covering what hoarding is, how it can affect a resident’s life, where to get support, and how to help someone you’re worried about. 

  • To join online: Sign up here
  • To join this webinar by phone: Call 020 3321 5200 a few minutes before the session is due to start and enter code 384 270 77#

Housing Benefit

Thursday 1st October, 10.30am
This webinar will look over What Housing Benefit is, who can claim it, how much they could get, and what happens after they claim.

  • To join online: Sign up here
  • To join this webinar by phone: Call 020 3321 5200 a few minutes before the session is due to start and enter code 202 836 902#

Falls and how to avoid them

Thursday 12th November, 10.30am
Jocelyn will look at why falls happen, ways to avoid them, and what to do if your resident  has a fall.

  • To join online: Sign up here
  • To join this webinar by phone: Call 020 3321 5200 a few minutes before the session is due to start and enter code 524 810 070#

posted 3 June 2026

AGM 2026

Don’t forget to cast your votes!

We are pleased to invite you to our seventy-fifth AGM. 

The Almshouse Association 75th Annual General Meeting will be held via video conferencing on Thursday 25 June 2026 at 11am.

As set out in our governing documents, the AGM covers a reflection on the activities of The Almshouse Association, acceptance of the minutes of the previous AGM, adoption of the Annual Report and accounts of the Association, the appointment/reappointment of trustees and auditors and a presentation on the next stage of the strategy.

The AGM is open to all member charities. Details on how to vote and join the AGM can be found below.

  • To review
    • the minutes of the 74th AGM held in 2025, please click here.
    • the 2025 Annual Report and Accounts
      • please click here for a single page version
      • please click here for a double page version
  • To vote electronically, please click here or download a postal vote here.
    NOTE: Voting closes on Tuesday 16 June 2026. Voting is restricted to one representative per member charity. Please ensure The Almshouse Association has the correct email details for the main representative for your charity.
  • To register to attend the online AGM, please click here

AGM 2026 AGENDA

  • Reflection on 2025 – Willie Hartley Russell, Chairman of The Almshouse Association.
  • Acceptance of the Minutes of the seventy-fourth Almshouse Association AGM held on 19 June 2025 at One Great George Street, London SW1.
  • Re-election of Board Members (Article 33 states that each Board member can serve for a maximum of three terms of three years then must retire and seek reappointment through voting procedure).
  • Approval of new Board Members (Article 32)
  • Presentation and adoption of the 2025 Annual Report and Accounts.
  • Appointment of auditors.
  • Any Other Business.
  • The next stage of the strategy – Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association

posted 13 April 2026, updated 6 May 2026

Trustees & Clerks Seminar – Bath

🤝Hosted by The Almshouse Association & Stone King LLP

📅 Date: 5 November 2026

🕤 Time: 09:30am – 14:45pm

📌 Location: Bath, Somerset

ℹ️ Details including price per person to follow

Trustees & Clerks Seminar – Kent

🤝 Hosted by The Almshouse Association & Brachers LLP

📅 Date: Thursday 1st October 2026

🕤 Time: 09:30am – 14:45pm

📌 Location: Kent

ℹ️ Details including price per person to follow



Trustees & Clerks Seminar – London – 16 July 26

Title: Almshouses – A legal perspective

🤝 Hosted by The Almshouse Association & Penningtons Manche Cooper LLP

📅 Date: Thursday 16 July 2026

🕤 Time: 09:30am – 14:45pm

📌 Location: Penningtons Manche Cooper, 125, Wood Street, London EC2V 7AW

Cost: Normally £100.00 discounted to £75.00 per delegate, thanks to the sponsorship of Penningtons Manche Cooper. Includes refreshments and buffet lunch.

.

Seminar Topics

  1. Is your governing document fit for purpose?
    • Consideration of your objects and corporate structures available for incorporation.
  2. Anti-Social Behaviour
    • Information and advice on the general principles of where a resident is becoming a nuisance to others.
  3. Single sex service provision
    • The considerations involved from a legal point of view.
  4. Legal updates for almshouse trustees
  5. The Almshouse Association Update
    • The latest trends in the almshouse movement and the services provided by The Almshouse Association.

ℹ️ Details: Guest speakers from Penningtons Manches Cooper and staff from The Almshouse Association will be in attendance and will be pleased to give guidance and information. There will be an opportunity to ask speakers questions after their talk and throughout the day and to ask any questions.

Parking: There are no parking facilities at 125 Wood Street. The nearest public car parks are at 23 London Wall and on Queen Victoria Street and Upper Thames Street.

By train: The nearest mainline stations are Cannon Street and City Thameslink, which are both within 10 minutes’ walk. St Paul’s underground station is two minutes’ walk from 125 Wood Street, and Bank underground station (exit from Exit 9) is five minutes’ walk away.

Confirmation: The delegate will receive an email confirming their place with travel information.

Please return the completed reservation form to admin@almshouses.org or post to The Almshouse Association, Leonard Hackett House, 17-21, Victoria Street, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1HE

Your Data: We will only retain your personal information for the purposes of this seminar and for communications linked to the seminar. For further information about our Privacy Policy, please visit our website.

TRAINING: Trustee Recruitment Workshop (CPD)

One-day Trustee Recruitment Workshop (CPD accredited)

Ensuring that your trustee body remains quorate and effective can be a challenging task.

Join us at a CPD accredited workshop that has been designed specifically to actively engage delegates in a structured process aimed at strengthening your trustee recruitment efforts. It offers valuable resources such as templates and practical connections, alongside guidance on advertising opportunities and statutory requirements. Additionally, it encourages honest reflection on whether your charity board truly represents the communities you serve.

click here to find out more

TRAINING: The Almshouse Way (CPD)

The Almshouse Association 1-day interactive learning training course is a great opportunity to meet your counterparts in the almshouse network and underpin your knowledge of almshouses and how they operate.

It is aimed at ‘new to the role’ CEOs, clerks and trustees as well as members that are looking to consolidate their knowledge. It has been CPD accredited (Continuing Professional Development) and attendees will receive a certificate at the end of the course.

Objective
To provide almshouse charity CEOs, clerks and trustees with essential training and to enable you to adopt best practice in fulfilling your duties and furthering the success of your almshouse charity.

Click to find out more about The Almshouse Way 1 day training course and to book your place