Latest News | The Almshouse Association

Charity Commission new Chief Executive

PRESS RELEASE: Charity Commission announces next Chief Executive with effect from 1 July 2024.

David Holdsworth has been appointed the next Chief Executive of the Charity Commission for England & Wales, replacing on 1 July 2024 Helen Stephenson who has been in charge for 7 years.

David has been CEO of the Animal and Plant Health Agency since 2022. His other previous experience includes Deputy Chief Executive of the Intellectual Property Office and Deputy Chief Executive and Registrar of Charities at the Charity Commission.

He also oversaw the regulator’s response to the Grenfell Tower fire, was instrumental in setting up the National Emergencies Trust, worked at the Home Office and has spent 5 years in senior executive positions in the private sector.

David said: “I am delighted to be returning to the Charity Commission and its vital work at such a crucial time. It will be a privilege to once again work with the Commission’s dedicated and talented experts.  

Charities have always played a vital role in our national life, our communities and our ability to move forward together as a society. Never has this been more needed than now. I look forward to working with the sector as they work today to achieve a better, brighter tomorrow for us all.”

Visit https://www.gov.uk/government/news/charity-commission-announces-next-chief-executive for full press release.

posted 14 February 2024

VCSE Energy Scheme

The Almshouse Association has just been advised by Utility Aid of the VSCE Energy Scheme which will help voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations (VCSEs) across England to deliver more efficient services for people and communities by saving money on their energy bills.

The VCSE Energy Efficiency Scheme is offering independent energy assessments to help identify energy-saving opportunities in your building. The Scheme is also offering capital grants to implement measures recommended in your assessment. The current round of funding is now open, with applications closing at 12pm on Thursday 29 February 2024.

Applicant organisations must be a VCSE based in England and delivering frontline services. They must be able to demonstrate that they are financially sustainable, require support around energy and are not suitable for blended finance or loan support through other schemes.

The scheme is funded as part of a package of over £100 million of support being delivered by the Government to help frontline delivery organisations with the increased cost of living.

How does it work?

The Scheme’s eligibility checker may be used to check on eligibility to apply for the cost and delivery of an Independent Energy Assessment (IEA) or a Capital Grant. If you’re successful, you will be matched with an independent energy assessor who will work with you to assess your building and help identify energy-saving opportunities.

An IEA is a comprehensive evaluation of your building’s energy usage, efficiency and potential for energy savings, conducted by a qualified and experienced independent energy assessor.

With a satisfactory IEA, and provided you meet the wider eligibility criteria, your organisation may also apply for a Capital Grant. Capital Grants of between £2,000 and £150,000 can be used to install capital energy efficiency measures, identified in your IEA, to reduce your building’s energy costs and support the delivery of your frontline services.

Check if you’re eligible for an Independent Energy Assessment or Capital Grant or visit the Programme Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions information using the links below.

Further information may be obtained from ees.groundwork.org.uk or by calling 0121 237 5894.

posted 14 February 2024

The London Garden Society Almshouse Garden Competition

Almshouses in London have been invited by the London Garden Society, supported by The Worshipful Company of Gardeners, to enter their almshouse gardens into The London Almshouses Garden Competitions.

Open to almshouses within the London Boroughs, The City of London and The City of Westminster or within locations or areas contiguous or adjacent to Greater London, the different classes in each competition are detailed below:

COMMUNITY CLASSES (i.e. maintained by the Management of the Almshouse Charity)

Class 1 Small Community Gardens (Area 2500 Square Metres or less)
Class 2 Large Community Gardens (Area over 2500 Square Metres)
Class 3 Patio and Courtyard Displays

INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTS CLASSES

Class 1 Gardens
Class 2 Window Boxes
Class 3 Balcony Displays
Class 4 Container & Hanging Basket Displays

_{NOTE: These are independent competitions managed and run by The London Garden Society. The Almshouse Association offered to let our London member charities know about it via our website, but we have no connection to the competition; rules, entry forms and judging are all under the jurisdiction of The London Garden Society. Rules and booking forms can be found in the links below. Please address any queries to: Mr David Broome, Membership Secretary, The London Gardens Society, 79 Church Lane, East Finchley, London N2 0TH, E-mail: membership.secretary@thelondongardenssociety.org.uk}.

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED BY 1 MAY 2024.

posted 12 February 2024

Regulated Housing Providers – Qualification Requirement

Briefing Note to Regulated Housing Providers – Confidence and Conduct Standard for Social Housing – Qualification requirement

Dear Members

You will have seen the announcement of a new consultation regarding the requirement for leaders in the housing world to be qualified.

Competence and Conduct Standard for social housing: consultation – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

As you know we worked hard to influence policy and have, we hope, encouraged a sensible exemption for trustees as below.

“It is important that we take a proportionate approach in ensuring that the policy has its intended impact in terms of driving up standards in the sector but that it does not negatively impact on organisations’ ability to deliver good quality housing management services.

“We are aware that some small housing providers, for example, almshouses, smaller TMOs and housing co-operatives, are often governed or managed by volunteers. Some volunteers are ‘officers’ of the organisation in question, and we have assessed that where this is the case, they could fall within scope of the qualification requirements. Requiring unpaid volunteers to undertake a housing management qualification could lead to significant adverse impacts for small organisations, including in some cases closure, which would be to the detriment of tenants. Therefore, as detailed at paragraphs 15b and 46c of the policy statement, we propose that where an officer of a registered provider or a services provider is an unpaid volunteer, that person will not need to gain a relevant qualification.“

However, the provision of the Act may still require a clerk to hold a qualification: A Senior Housing Executive or Senior Housing Manager of a registered provider will be classified as a Relevant Person.

This consultation will point to who that person is in most cases. For our members that may not be so easy to identify, particularly as part of the inclusion is that a significant portion of the person’s time is spent on the housing activities. If a person is in a part time role the requirement for qualification is unclear but likely to include a Clerk working more than a few hours. This section from Appendix B1.

“ A ‘significant portion’ should be taken to mean that these responsibilities are an important and substantial aspect of their role: in many (but not all) instances they will take up more than half of that individual’s working time.“

Do have a look at the consultation and let us know your thoughts. We will arrange a zoom meeting to discuss your thoughts about this and other consultations.

At present our view is that trustees must be exempt. We are also proposing that if a staff member of the membership body, The Almshouse Association, gains the appropriate qualification, member charities of The Almshouse Association with under 100 units should be exempt from the qualifications associated with the Competence and Conduct Standard for Social Housing. But you may not agree?

We look forward to our discussions with you.

posted 12 February 2024

The Zoom will take place on 22 February 2024 at 12.30. Please click here to access. Please contact angelawaters@almshouses.org for further details.

St John’s Foundation Celebrates 850 Years of Service

On 1 February 2024 Her Majesty The Queen visited St John’s Foundation to mark the 850th anniversary of St John’s Foundation in Bath.

HRH Queen Camilla began her visit to Bath by meeting St John’s almshouse residents for tea and cake in the charity’s chapel, St Michael Within.

“It was an absolutely delightful day. Her Majesty exuded kindness towards each of us. She took a genuine interest in our lives, talking to us all individually and asking thoughtful questions. To have such a personal interaction with her was quite honestly was a cherry on the cake for my life.”
Islay, resident at the St. John’s Foundation almshouses

HRH then made her way through the centre of Bath to arrive at Bath Abbey where she was greeted in the courtyard by over 600 school children from five of the local schools that St John’s works with.

Within the Abbey, over 600 guests gathered for a Service of Celebration that paid tribute to the history and impactful legacy of St John’s Foundation over the last eight and a half centuries. Attendees included many of the charity’s direct beneficiaries, including older adults residing in the charity’s almshouses and local school children supported by its initiatives.

Guests heard a performance of ‘A Million Dreams’ and ‘Sing’ from the Voices for Life choir. The choir which was made up of 90 year 4 pupils from the local schools St John’s works with, was created specifically for the occasion.

Following an address which outlined St John’s future ambitions, CEO David Hobdey invited Her Majesty up to unveil the charity’s commemorative 850th plaque. The plaque will be laid within St John’s city centre courtyard, a place which has been the charity’s home for the last 850 years. Her Majesty, as Duchess of Cornwall, became Patron of St John’s Foundation in 2009. Her Majesty last saw the work of St John’s Foundation during a visit in February 2022 to Roundhill Primary School.

Reflecting on the service, David Hobdey says:

“It was an honour to have Her Majesty The Queen join us today to celebrate our 850^th anniversary. Her Majesty’s attendance made a very special day even more poignant, and we are so grateful to her for taking the time to meet our residents and join our Service.

It’s an incredible achievement to reach 850 years and humbling to think of all the historic events and upheavals that St John’s has survived. We are thankful to everyone who attended to help us mark this occasion. St John’s Foundation’s mission is to keep driving forward to continue addressing the needs in our community and changing lives, for good, for the next 850 years.”

Guests were invited to remain in the Abbey for a reception following the Service, where they heard from Executive Head of St Michael’s Church Junior School, Clare Greene, who spoke about the impact St John’s Foundation has had on local under-served pupils.

St John’s Foundation will be hosting several events later in the year to continue the 850th celebrations. These will aim to involve as many people in the community as possible, especially the charity’s direct beneficiaries, and raise awareness of St John’s work in Bath and North East Somerset.

About St. John’s Foundation

Established in 1174, St John’s Foundation is the oldest charity in Bath and 11th oldest in England. For 850 years, St John’s Foundation has been changing people’s lives, for good. As one of the UK’s oldest charities, they are proud to serve Bath and the surrounding area.

But they are still facing many of the same problems today as we have been throughout the centuries. It’s a dilemma that prompted the charity to launch the Foundation Fund in 2020. This work focuses on making sure every child under 12 has the chance to grow up as a healthy, happy, and educated member of our community; that they have the support they need to lead fulfilling, independent lives beyond school and into older age. St John’s is determined to narrow the primary school educational attainment gap, which is particularly acute in the BaNES area. Alongside this, they continue their long-standing work providing older people with housing and outreach services. With older adults now outnumbering younger people in the region, it’s more important than ever to foster an age-friendly community, promoting independent living for longer.

By addressing the needs of under-served young people, they believe they can change the direction of their lives, so that when they’re older, they won’t need us. The city and the neighbourhoods around it are beautiful and age-old. However, divisions and inequalities are concealed behind the veneer of Bath stone and rural beauty. St John’s work to address these modern challenges, forging connections with like-minded charities and donors to boost our impact. It’s a long-term strategy, but they’re unwavering.

posted 8 February 2024

Top photo credits: Beata Cosgrove Photography and Anna Barclay

£20m funding round now open for charities

The Ofgem Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme (Energy Redress Scheme) is now open to applications (as of 30 January 2024) for its seventh funding round.

Charities and community energy groups, including community interest companies, co-operative societies and community benefit societies, can now apply for a grant through one of four funding streams, with a total of £20 million available.

Projects will be considered if they support households most at risk from cold homes and high energy bills, develop innovative products and services related to domestic energy use, or address carbon emissions reduction, across England, Scotland and Wales

The deadline for applications to this funding round is 5pm on 20 February 2024, via the Energy Redress website. Before applying, organisations need to pre-register by visiting the Energy Redress registration page.

Organisations that haven’t yet registered with the scheme must do so 10 working days before the relevant fund closes to allow time for eligibility checks to take place.

For full details, please click here

posted 31 January 2023

2024 Seminars

The Almshouse Association is pleased to confirm that the first two Almshouse Association seminars for 2024 are now open for bookings.

The aim of all our seminars is to provide information on topical issues and to establish useful links between trustees and clerks, scheme managers and wardens with the staff at the Association. There is an opportunity to gain insight into different views and experiences during the open forum and to keep up-to-date with recent developments in the almshouse movement. Seminars run from 9.30am to 3.30pm and the cost is £95 per person including teas, coffees and lunch

Please click on the links below to see full details and download booking forms:

Trustees and Clerks Seminar
Oxford
Wednesday 6 March 2024

Scheme Managers/Wardens Seminar
Leicester
Thursday 2 May 2024

We strongly advise you to book early as the seminars are often oversubscribed.

posted 29 January 2024

Almshouse Census Update – date for completing extended

Dear Members

A HUGE THANK YOU to all member charities who have already completed The Great Almshouse Census.

You represent over 41% of our membership and normally that would be a brilliant response for a survey. But, for The Almshouse Association and the movement to be in a position of strength – so that we can influence local and national government to treat almshouses as a very worthwhile and valuable service to the community, or for Trusts and donors to choose almshouses to be beneficiaries of their funds – we will need many more almshouse charities to complete the census.

Our hope is that the census will give us the tools we need to be able to speak with confidence and clarity to people of influence about the current status of the almshouse movement and those it serves today.

I know how busy you are, but please spend a few moments completing the survey and help us protect the character and status of almshouses so that we can all ensure they continue to provide warm, happy and safe homes for people in need for many more generations to come.

Please access the census by clicking in the below link:

The Great Almshouse Census – click here

Your help in completing the census will be invaluable. Thank you in advance for your time.

Warmest regards

Nick Phillips
CEO of The Almshouse Association

Association’s inaugural Research Conference, London

The Almshouse Association holds its first Research Conference

In January 2024, Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association, hosted the inaugural Almshouse Association Research Conference at Mercers Hall in London, inviting 25 prominent researchers, funders, architects and almshouse managers from across the UK and Europe.

The event opened with a review of the significant studies undertaken in the field so far, with attendees presenting their research focus and findings. Discussions followed exploring forthcoming priorities and building awareness of the almshouse movement.

In the last decade, interest in the almshouse model has surged, prompting researchers to delve into a better understanding of the almshouse model while gauging the positive impact almshouses have on their residents.

Whilst other related research has probed social housing, private elderly rented housing, living in historic buildings and co-housing, incorporating elements of the almshouse model, the primary focus of this conference was the assessment of the almshouse model itself, extending the focus to identify pivotal factors contributing to the impact of almshouses on residents and the community, encompassing architecture, community scale, governance and societal changes.

“It was a really insightful day and fantastic to meet other academics and share findings…”

The garnered insights will serve to prioritise areas for future research, potentially steering the almshouse model and similar models towards enhanced community housing solutions.

Special tours took place on the second day of the conference. Firstly, Hopton’s Almshouses, one of the most iconic almshouse dwellings belonging to Association members, United St Saviours Charity, then onto Appleby Blue, its polar opposite and the Southwark charity’s most recent innovative almshouse development. These tours aimed to underscore the striking parallels between the old and the new, firmly rooted in the timeless architectural design principles of almshouses—emphasising community, neighbourliness and compassion, all of which are integral aspects of their heritage which spans a millennium.

Post-tour, the group exchanged experiences from each almshouse and contemplated how these insights could positively shape the future of almshouse development.

“As interest grows in the past research and developing recognition of the success of the model it is more important than ever that we understand the human and built environment aspects that make the greatest difference. It was a pleasure to see interest from the UK and Dutch leading universities.”
Nick Phillips, CEO, The Almshouse Association

posted 29 January 2024

Latest changes to Charities Act 2022

– Charities Act 2022

Yesterday, on 23 January 2024, the Government published notification of the latest changes being introduced early 2024 by the Charities Act 2022 (the Act), which amends the Charities Act 2011 .

Members may wish to look at Selling, leasing or otherwise disposing of charity land. The following provisions, which were due to come into force on 14 June 2023 but did not, will be coming into force:

provisions relating to disposals by liquidators, provisional liquidators, receivers, mortgagees or administrators
provisions relating to the taking out of mortgages by liquidators, provisional liquidators, receivers, mortgagees or administrators
changes about what must be included in statements and certificates for both disposals and mortgages

Other amends include making changes to governing documents, charity mergers and further enabling the Commission’s involvement in some trustee related scenarios.

Click here to access the gov.uk webpage which provides short summaries of the changes that are due to come into force in early 2024 and links to their updated guidance for the changes that came into force on 14 June 2023 and 31 October 2022.

An overview of the full changes can be found on this page: Charities Act 2022: implementation plan.

24 January 2024