Latest News | The Almshouse Association

Yorkshire & Lancashire Regional Meeting Highlights

Nick Phillips was invited to attend the recent Yorkshire and Lancashire Regional Meeting hosted by The Peter Birtwhistle Trust.

The event brought together a highly engaged group of trustees who contributed to a lively and thoughtful discussion throughout the session. Attendees raised a wide range of thought-provoking questions, reflecting both their commitment to good governance and their interest in sharing experiences across the region.

One of the most significant concerns voiced during the meeting was the challenge of succession planning, both in terms of recruiting new trustees and ensuring continuity in clerking services. The conversation highlighted the importance of long-term planning, knowledge transfer, and supporting the next generation of governance professionals.

Sincere thanks go to Sue, Alison, and Alan (Chair) for their warm hospitality and for organising such an informative and stimulating event. Their efforts created a welcoming environment that encouraged open dialogue and meaningful exchange among all participants.

posted 17 November 2025

Heritage Heroes Awards

Please nominate your volunteers!

The Heritage Alliance is entering the final stretch for nominations to their prestigious Heritage Heroes Awards, proudly sponsored by Ecclesiastical.

With just two weeks left until nominations close on 30 November, now is the perfect moment to put forward the outstanding volunteers who power your work. If you haven’t submitted a nomination yet, we strongly encourage you to shine a spotlight on those who truly deserve recognition.

For more than a decade, the Heritage Heroes Awards have honoured the exceptional contributions of volunteers across the UK’s heritage sector, celebrating individuals and groups who go above and beyond to safeguard and champion our shared heritage.

This year, the Awards are recognising excellence in two categories:

Heritage Heroes 2025 Award – Celebrating exceptional contributions by an individual or group of volunteers.
Young Heritage Hero Award – Highlighting volunteers under 30 who have made an extraordinary impact.

Key information

Nominations close: 30 November 2025
Submit a nomination: bit.ly/HeritageHeroes2025
Winners announced: Heritage Day 2026.
pdf of all the important information

Take this opportunity to put forward the volunteers who’ve shown exceptional dedication and gone the extra mile throughout the year!

posted 17 November 2025

Picture-perfect moments of community spirit

📸The results are in! 📸

Our latest photography competition has showcased the warmth, joy and connection that make almshouse life so special.

Residents captured wonderful moments across themes including Over the Garden Fence, Tea with Neighbours, Friendship, Garden Days and Community Spirit. Judges, including our award-winning professional photographer, Richard Gray, praised the exceptional standard, saying, “They were all winners in their own way.”

After much deliberation, the panel selected:

🏆 Winner: Cutbush and Corall – “Tea with Neighbours”
🎖️ Runner-up: Chubbs Almshouses – “Community Spirit”

The winner will receive a luxury afternoon tea voucher (£150) and framed certificate, while the runner-up will take home a £50 M&S voucher and framed certificate.

From lively garden chats to tea shared with neighbours, each entry told a heart warming story of friendship and community spirit.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the competition!

posted 11 November 2025

£100 million for Affordable Housing

£100 million for Affordable Housing – Let’s make sure charitable providers benefit too

The Almshouse Association welcomes the news that major UK house builders will contribute £100 million to support affordable housing schemes across the UK, following the Competition and Markets Authority’s investigation.

We believe it’s vital that charitable housing providers, including almshouses, are included in this investment. The charitable housing sector, including almshouse charities, provides genuinely affordable, community-based homes for people in need.

Almshouses – such as Appleby Blue in Southwark, winner of the 2025 RIBA Stirling Prize – show how thoughtful, people-centred design can transform lives while offering long-term cost savings to the public purse through reduced loneliness, better health outcomes, and strong community support.

We urge policymakers to recognise the proven social value and efficiency of the almshouse model – a tradition that continues to deliver modern solutions to today’s housing challenges. Let’s make sure charitable housing has a place in this investment – for communities that care, and homes that last.

posted 6 November 2025

Christmas fund vouchers for almshouse residents aged 90+

The Almshouse Association is delighted to announce that Christmas Fund gift vouchers will once again be available this year for almshouse residents* who are 90 years of age or older on 25th December 2025.

*almshouse residents of almshouse charities that are members of The Almshouse Association

The Christmas Fund was established over 70 years ago thanks to the generosity of Major Allnatt, a successful businessman and philanthropist. Working closely with Leonard Hackett, the Association’s founding General Secretary, Major Allnatt wished to provide a small gift to almshouse residents each Christmas Eve. Remarkably, he chose to remain anonymous until his death in 1969.

Today, the Almshouse Association continues to honour his legacy. The funds he left have been carefully invested so that every year, almshouse charities can receive gift vouchers to distribute to their residents at Christmas.

An order form to request the Christmas vouchers can be found in the Autumn/Winter edition of the Almshouses Gazette, which is being sent to all member charities next week.

You can also download the form here to complete and return.

Please submit your completed form to the Almshouse Association via email or post by 21st November 2025 – THE WINDOW FOR SUBMITTING FORMS IS NOW CLOSED

Gift vouchers are issued on a first-come, first-served basis and will be sent to the member contact listed on your form, so they can be handed to residents on Christmas Eve. (Please note: The Almshouse Association will not send vouchers directly to residents.)

We love seeing photos of these heartwarming moments, as almshouse communities come together to celebrate the festive season so please keep sending them in.

posted 30 October 2025

Update: Awaab’s Law

Awaab’s Law was introduced on 27 October 2025 through an amendment to the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, in response to the tragic death of Awaab Ishak who died after being exposed to mould at his Rochdale home in December 2020.

In the wake of this tragedy, Awaab’s family has fought to secure justice, not only for their son but for all those who live in social housing.

Awaab’s Law places strict time limits on social landlords who are regulated by the Social Housing Regulator to investigate and repair reported issues of damp and mould.

At the present time (October 2025), Awaab’s Law applies to Registered Providers in England only.

The Almshouse Association is pleased to confirm, however, that following extensive engagement with government officials, almshouse charities that are Registered Providers in England are exempt from the requirements of Awaab’s Law. This exemption recognises the distinct legal and operational status of almshouses, where residents occupy their homes under licence rather than tenancy agreements – and can be seen in the guidance produced by the Government below:

1.5 Which type of housing does Awaab’s Law apply to?
Awaab’s Law does not apply to temporary accommodation, supported accommodation, or other housing that is occupied under a licence. [taken from Awaab’s Law: Guidance for social landlords – Timeframes for repairs in the social rented sector]

The Almshouse Association will now review and update its policies for all member charities on damp, mould and other housing hazards to ensure residents continue to live in safe, well-maintained homes. These policies will reflect the charitable nature, size and governance of almshouse charities, while maintaining high standards of accommodation and care.

posted 28 October 2025

2026/27 Specimen Outline Budget

Every year, it is important that the trustees of almshouse charities review the weekly maintenance contributions (WMCs) their charity sets for their residents.

To assist members in setting their residents’ WMCs , The Almshouse Association has produced its annual Specimen Outline Budget.

As a first step members will need to consider two elements when setting their WMC:

the financial viability of the charity,
the avoidance of hardships on the residents.

Increases in WMC are necessary so charities can maintain financial viability and continue to provide support to residents and the wider community. Any increase, however, should consider the wellbeing of the residents who must be able to afford the WMC without being caused hardship. Striking a balance between these two demands will help to ensure that the WMC is set at an appropriate level.

The Association recommends that wherever possible members increase their WMC in a way which is sympathetic to the needs of the charity and its residents.

Those of our member charities who are Registered Providers of Social Housing are obliged to abide by the rent formula set by the Regulator of Social Housing i.e., CPI plus 1%. The CPI figure for September 2025 was 3.8% and hence the maximum WMC increase for the period 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 is 4.8%.

We are also aware that some members will be able to absorb some of the burden of increased costs for their residents. However, it is vital that charities, when considering increasing the WMC, seek to maintain stable foundations not only for the foreseeable future, but for the years ahead.

Our Specimen Outline Budget for 2026/27 can be accessed via the below links:

posted 22 October 2025

In Memory of Christopher Ray

We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Christopher Ray, Chairman of The Frederick Ray Trust. His loss is felt profoundly — both by his family and by all within the almshouse movement.

Christopher’s company was always a joy, his wisdom generous and freely shared. We remain truly grateful for all he did to champion almshouses and enrich the lives of their residents. It was a privilege to have known him, to share conversations about his thoughtful vision for almshouses, and to hear his fond recollections of the Trust’s long and remarkable family history.

The almshouse community is immeasurably poorer without Christopher’s warmth, humour, and tireless enthusiasm. He will be greatly missed and long remembered with admiration and affection.

Among the obituaries Christopher left behind was one he wished to see published with us. It is our privilege and honour to share his words here:

Chris Ray died at the age of 66, after a brave journey with Prostate Cancer for over 12 years. He became a trustee at the age of 22 in 1982, serving for 43 years, the last 10 of which were as Chairman. In the summer of 2024 he presented to the guests at The Almshouse Association seminar at Charterhouse in London, describing the establishment of the charity, by the Will of his grandfather Frederick, for the benefit of his retired employees in 1945.

During his time as a trustee, the properties at Rays Close grew from six to eighteen. In May 2018 there was a church service in Bedford, followed by tea on the lawns of Rays Close, and the unveiling of a sculpture by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant. This was to commemorate 100 years since the death of Frederick Lee Ray of the First Bedfordshire Regiment, in whose memory the charity was established.

The next generation of family trustees are already in place, with his daughter Phoebe succeeding him as Chairman. It is a duty that is willingly undertaken to honour both the settlor and his son, who made the ultimate sacrifice in 1918. Chris’s experience and knowledge will be greatly missed.

21 October 2025

Rethinking affordable, community-led charitable housing

Appleby Blue, United St Saviours Charity – RIBA Award Winner

Congratulations to Appleby Blue: A triumph for modern almshouses!

Appleby Blue has won the RIBA Stirling Prize, the UK’s most prestigious architectural accolade. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), founded under a royal charter in 1837 and recognised internationally, champions design excellence and innovation. This award celebrates Appleby Blue’s success in combining stunning architecture, social purpose, and economic impact, setting a new benchmark for sustainable, transformative housing.

Almshouses are making a powerful comeback. For over a thousand years, they have blended design with altruism, creating homes that foster dignity, connection, and belonging. At their best, they are civic architecture at its finest, an exemplar model of community-led housing.

Momentum is growing. New almshouse charities, including one in Budleigh Salterton, Devon, show this historic model thriving today. More than just homes, they are in-perpetuity legacies, sustainable, community-led housing designed to serve generations.

Appleby Blue proves that architecture with social purpose can be beautiful, enduring, and transformative, demonstrating that almshouses are not just a link to the past, but a vital solution for the future.

Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association, explores why almshouses are experiencing a modern revival…

“The remarkable news that one of our flagship almshouse member charities, United St Saviours Charities has won the internationally recognised RIBA Stirling Prize for their flagship almshouse Appleby Blue, has once again placed community-led charitable housing firmly in the spotlight.

You may wonder what persuaded the judges to honour Appleby Blue? We think the answer lies in a unique combination of history, innovation and social purpose.

Beneath the headlines is a thousand-year-old model of community-led charitable housing, seamlessly integrated with contemporary architecture to create spaces of tranquillity, security and connection. Appleby Blue did not emerge from a single idea but from centuries of the tried-and-tested almshouse model, guided by the courageous leadership of the CEO, planners, visionary architects and trustees.

Its almshouse design features, thoughtfully retained and reinterpreted for a modern city setting, have inspired architects and planners across the UK and as far afield as Japan.

What is the “magic” of Appleby Blue?

Is it the shared entrance, fostering neighbourly encounters? The communal benches and tranquil courtyard, alive with trees, water, and greenery? Or the vibrant community, where residents share recipes, art, sewing, and connections with the wider Southwark community?

As one resident recently said, “It’s paradise. I just love living here. I feel very lucky.”

Like many almshouse developments, it is difficult to pinpoint a single feature. The success lies in the holistic combination of architecture, social design, and community.

Standing on the shoulders of centuries of almshouses, Appleby Blue demonstrates that this model is the exemplar of community-led charitable housing, both architecturally and socially.

It is time for almshouses to be fully recognised for their contributions to society. Once in the shadows, they now shine, proving that architecture with social purpose can be beautiful, enduring and transformative. Appleby Blue is quite rightly in the headlines but for the last decade or so, new almshouses have been built round the country at a rate of many hundreds a year.

As charitable legacies, almshouses are gifts to both present and future generations. With new, often smaller almshouses being created, this enduring model continues to evolve, not as a link to the past, but as a vital, forward-looking solution to the housing challenges of our time.”

Further reading

posted 20 October 2025

Recording the next ‘Alms Around’ podcast at Ewelme Almshouses

Nick recently met Jeremy Porteus, Founder and Director of Housing LIN, at the historic ‘Cloisters’ Ewelme Almshouses in Oxfordshire to record the next episode of our “Alms Around” podcast series.

They were joined by Angharad Saunders (Trust Manager) and John Brannan, a resident of the almshouses, for a wide-ranging and colourful conversation exploring the enduring legacy of almshouses, the influence of Chaucer, and the timeless importance of being a good neighbour.

Our sincere thanks go to Dr Tim Wilson, Trustee of the Ewelme Almshouse Charity, for providing such a stunning and atmospheric setting for the recording.

The “Alms Around” podcast series will launch in 2026, as part of The Almshouse Association’s 80th anniversary celebrations, shining a spotlight on the rich history and modern relevance of almshouses across the UK.

_{posted 16 October 2025}