Small Charity Week: Big Impact

NCVO has announced that they have once again partnered with Big Give and Global’s Make Some Noise to deliver the Small Charity Week 2026 match funding campaign – with applications now open and closing at 17.00 on 11 February 2026.

Find out more and submit your application

What’s the campaign about?
The campaign helps small charities maximise donations through match funding, providing vital unrestricted income. Thanks to match funding from Champion funders, including players of People’s Postcode Lottery, public donations made during the campaign will once again be doubled.

Plus, this year, it will expand to support more charities than ever before, including – for the first time – UK-based organisations working internationally, with increased funding also available for eligible charities in Scotland and Wales.

When does the campaign run?
The Small Charity Week 2026 match funding campaign will run from 22–29 June 2026, aligning with Small Charity Week – our national awareness week celebrating the essential role of small charities across the UK.

Who can apply?
Small charities with an annual income between £5,000 and £1 million across the UK, including those working internationally, are encouraged to apply.

How did the campaign perform last year?
In just seven days, the 2025 campaign raised £1.84 million, supporting 189 small charities through 9,208 donations. Through match funding, most charities received higher-value donations and connected with new supporters.

Apply by 11 February 2026

NCVO encourages small charities to take advantage of this opportunity and apply today. Please share with others in your network who may benefit

Leigh Brimicombe, Chief Influencing Officer, NCVO
Registered Charity No. 225922

posted 22 January 2026

Serving our members for 80 years

Celebrating 80 years of community, heritage and hope

The Almshouse Association was founded 80 years ago by you, our members. Born out of the austerity and uncertainty of wartime Britain, and at a moment when new legislation and emerging models of social housing were placing intense pressure on almshouse trustees, the early leaders of the almshouse movement recognised a vital truth: to survive and to flourish, almshouses needed a collective voice. They needed to come together as a network.

Our predecessors showed remarkable foresight

They understood that the almshouse model was not becoming obsolete; on the contrary, it was becoming more necessary than ever. They recognised that housing provision alone, as envisaged by the new Welfare State, was not enough. People in need required more than a roof over their heads –  they needed community. Almshouse trustees, too, needed a community beyond their individual charities, and Government needed to understand that this great national asset had enduring value for both today’s residents and future generations.

We will be using our 80th anniversary to highlight the unique value of almshouse charities, to raise funds to support existing charities, encourage the building of new almshouses, help new charities form, and uphold the founding principle that no resident should ever be lonely in an almshouse.

None of this would be possible without the outstanding leadership and commitment of trustees, clerks, wardens and volunteers across 1,600 almshouse charities throughout the UK.

We look forward to sharing our 80th anniversary with you.

The Almshouse Association team

posted 22 January 2025

NPPF: Member update

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Member update from The Almshouse Association CEO, Nick Phillips, on the latest National Planning Policy Framework consultation.

Click below to watch:

posted 19 January 2026

Policy & Governance update: January 2026

JANUARY 2026 : A summary of the latest UK Government policy changes and news.

1. National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Consultation

The Government published the latest version of the National Planning Policy Framework and a consultation deadline of 10 March 2026.

Our work to secure recognition of almshouses as affordable housing therefore continues, and next week we will publish our response and explain how you can engage with the NPPF.

2. The Future of Volunteering

The Gradel Institute of Charity (New College, University of Oxford)  have shared a report on ‘The Future of Volunteering‘.

This report considers reflections from a roundtable event on volunteering. While national data suggests a decline in volunteering, the report recognises that much volunteering remains unseen or uncounted – reflecting the reality for many almshouses, where significant trustee time, informal support and local community involvement are not captured in official statistics.

3. Charity Commission

The Charity Commission has updated various pieces of guidance and templates to reflect the introduction of SORP 2026 which applies to accounting years starting on or after 1 January 2026.

This includes changes to guidance on:

4. Company Law

For Persons of Significant Control (PSCs) who think they may be unable to complete identity verification by the deadline relevant to them, there are Companies House online forms to apply for up to three extensions of 14 days each.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  1. Applications for an extension must be submitted before the current deadline expires. 
  2. There is no equivalent ability for directors to apply for an extension.

posted January 2026

Celebrating a tradition of giving to almshouse residents

Each Christmas, The Almshouse Association takes great joy in sending gift vouchers to almshouse residents aged 90 and above – a cherished tradition made possible by a legacy left to the Association over 70 years ago – quite literally, a gift that keeps on giving!

We were delighted to continue this special tradition for Christmas 2025, celebrating the growing number of residents in their 90s and 100s who enjoy the security, community and happiness that almshouse living provides. This year the Association gifted Christmas vouchers to 816 residents and the enduring impact of a thoughtfully invested gift in a Will is evident in every voucher we send.

The Christmas Fund originates from the generosity of Major Allnatt, a successful businessman and philanthropist, who worked closely with Leonard Hackett, the Association’s founding General Secretary. Major Allnatt expressed a heartfelt wish for a small gift to be given to almshouse residents on Christmas Eve. He chose to remain anonymous during his lifetime and passed away in 1969.

Thanks to careful investment of the legacy he left, the Association is able to honour his vision and continue this tradition each year. Today, his legacy lives on in the form of gift vouchers, sent to almshouse charities to share with eligible residents during the festive season.

Maureen, Ashstead United Charity
Ron, Eleanor Palmer Trust
Chairman David Corney giving Christmas vouchers to residents of Davenport Homes
Sheila, Eleanor Palmer Trust
Frank Parkinson Yorkshire Trust
Frank Parkinson Yorkshire Trust
Frank Parkinson Yorkshire Trust
Eleanor Palmer Trust almshouse residents, Betty,
Iris,
Mrs Bodger,
Vera,
Barbara,
Mr & Mrs Dummer
and Mr & Mrs Grandsby

A heartfelt thank you goes to all the clerks and trustees of almshouse charities who ensure these gifts reach residents on time. Your support in capturing and sharing these special moments is greatly appreciated – the photos you send are always a highlight for us here at the Association!

We look forward to another festive season of smiles, joy, and celebrating the remarkable lives of our oldest residents.

Lench’s Trust residents
.
.
.

Top photos left to right, Davenport Homes; Frank Parkinson Yorkshire Trust resident; Anne, Ashstead United Charity ; Frank Parkinson Yorkshire Trust resident; Mr and Mrs Grandsby, Eleanor Palmer Trust resident; Association Chairman, Willie Hartley Russell with Willie with Cirencester almshouses residents.

Are you thinking of leaving a legacy that will ensure smiles on the faces of people in need for years to come?
Please do give us a call on 01344 452922 or email us at Almhousesupport@almshouses.org

New Seminar: Trustees & Clerks

Leeds – 12 February 2026

Almshouses – A legal perspective – with Wrigleys Solicitors LLP

We are pleased to invite you to attend a Seminar for Clerks and Trustees, jointly hosted by Wrigleys Solicitors LLP and The Almshouse Association.

This seminar will provide practical guidance, legal updates and an opportunity to explore key governance and operational issues relevant to almshouse charities. It will also offer valuable time for discussion and networking with fellow clerks and trustees.

Seminar details
Date: Thursday 12 February 2026
Time: 09:30am – 14:45pm
Venue: Wrigleys Solicitors LLP, 3rd Floor, 3 Wellington Place, Leeds LS1 4AP
Price:  Normally £100.00 discounted to £75.00 per delegate thanks to sponsorship of Wrigleys Solicitors LLP which Includes refreshments and buffet lunch

Please find details below:

  • A registration/booking form, including payment details – click here
  • Travel directions to the venue – click here

To secure your place, kindly complete and return the registration form by Friday 30 January 2026. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you have any questions regarding the seminar or the booking process, please contact Email: admin@almshouses.org

We hope you will be able to join us for what promises to be an informative and engaging event.

Wrigley’s Solicitors LLP & The Almshouse Association

Charity offers emergency funding

St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity works to end homelessness by providing practical funding, supporting frontline workers and advocating for change.

The Charity has asked The Almshouse Association to share information with our members and frontline contacts on their Voluntary Rapid Fund (VRF), which provides fast emergency grants to help people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless.

What the VRF can help with

The VRF offers crisis grants of up to £500, which can be used to cover immediate barriers to securing accommodation, including:

  • Rent in advance
  • Deposits
  • Identification documents (ID)
  • Removal costs

If all required information is provided, the charity aims to process and pay grants within 5 working days, helping people access housing quickly.

How to apply

Frontline workers can register for a VRF account using their direct work email address. Once approved, they can submit an application through the charity’s Application Portal.

Step-by-step guidance, including instructions on registering, requesting an account, and applying for grants, is available on the charity’s [Help Page and FAQ section].

Information Webinars

The charity also hosts online Teams webinars to explain the VRF grant offer and answer questions. Upcoming sessions include:

January Session:

  • Tuesday 27 January, 14:00 – 15:15
  • Registration via work email here

February Session:

  • Tuesday 10 February, 14:00 – 15:15
  • Registration via work email here

Registered participants will receive a link to join the webinar at the scheduled time.

Additional Information

Applicants are encouraged to read the Terms & Conditions and Grant Making Policy, which include eligibility criteria, before registering or applying.

The charity also invites local organisations to share information about the VRF, as it may help the people they support access accommodation.

Contact:
VRF Team, St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity
5 St Martin’s Place, London, WC2N 4JH

posted on behalf of St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity 8 Jan 2026

New: Housing Ombudsman Annual Submission Toolkit 25–26

We have just updated the Housing Ombudsman page on our website to support members with the Housing Ombudsman Annual Submission for 2025–26.

The Almshouse Association has received a comprehensive Annual Submission Toolkit directly from the Housing Ombudsman’s Office. This resource is designed to help members complete their annual submission accurately and with confidence.

The Toolkit is intended for:

  • Almshouse charities that are Registered Providers, and
  • Members that have voluntarily registered with the Housing Ombudsman, to support good practice and compliance.

The toolkit is made up of a series of practical documents, including:

  • Housing Ombudsman Toolkit for Annual Submissions 2025–26
  • Attachment A: Complaints Policy (Housing Ombudsman members only)
  • Attachment B: Partially completed Self-Assessment Form
  • Attachment C: Examples of complaints performance reports and governing body statements
  • Leaflet: Member Responsible for the Complaints Procedure
  • Self-Assessment Form for 2025–26 (for completion)

Each document can be downloaded individually from here

We strongly encourage all relevant members to review the Toolkit early to ensure they are prepared for the 2025–26 submission requirements. If you have questions or need further support, please contact the Member Services team.

See also Housing Ombudsman webinar:

posted 23 December 2025

Festive gifting at Cirencester almshouses as Chairman joins Christmas lunch

The Chairman of The Almshouse Association, Willie Hartley Russell, was thrilled to receive an invite to the joint Christmas lunch for St Lawrence’s Hospital and St John’s Hospital almshouses in Cirencester yesterday.

The event was organised by the clerk to both charities, Mrs Jane Winstanley, and brought residents together to celebrate the festive season.

During the lunch, Willie Hartley Russell presented two Almshouse Association Christmas Fund gift tokens to residents Mrs Jean Archer and Mrs Gill Weedon. These gifts are given each year to almshouse residents (of member charities) aged over 90 and are funded through an invested legacy gift left to The Almshouse Association by Major Allnatt, a successful businessman and philanthropist. Seventy years later, his generous bequest continues to provide Christmas gifts to older almshouse residents every year.

Both recipients were delighted to receive their gifts and kindly posed for a photograph during the celebrations.

The Almshouse Association would like to take this opportunity to wish all almshouse residents a very Merry Christmas and a warm, safe and peaceful New Year.

posted 18 December 2025

Our new Property and Development Team

We are delighted to share that two exceptional volunteers have recently joined our property support team.

As listed and older buildings become increasingly costly to manage, yet remain vital to the communities they serve, we are especially fortunate to have the support of two highly experienced property volunteers.

  • David Wilson MRICS, Chartered Institute of Building (among many other qualifications), brings extensive experience in estate and building management.
  • Stuart Holland FRICS, Expert Witness, Building Surveyor and Project Manager, adds significant professional expertise in heritage and complex building issues. Stuart is a member of the Association Board and has been a trustee of almshouses in Harrogate for many years.

This is a tremendous boost to the technical strength of our team. If you are facing building-related challenges, particularly those unique to heritage properties, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

To contact David and Stuart, please email Propertyanddevelopment@almshouses.org. Our Member Services team will ensure your enquiry is passed on promptly.

posted 17 December 2025