The Almshouse Association was thrilled to receive a call from Channel 5 wishing to run a piece on almshouses in London over the Christmas period.
Our plans, however, were thwarted by conflicting schedules, train strikes and inclement weather. Fortunately, we had furnished the production company with so many captivating stories about almshouses, Channel 5 was still eager to film and we agreed a date for after Christmas.
So on Wednesday 3 January 2024, Almshouse Association CEO, Nick Phillips and PR Manager Gerry Harmon, together with the Almshouse Manager of livery company The Worshipful Company of Mercers, Sarah Oliver, met up with Channel 5 presenter, Natalia Jorquera and her film crew at Trinity Hospital Almshouses in Greenwich. The weather was on our side and they were able to film the stunning architecture and gardens of the almshouses before going inside to take a look at life behind the ornate doors.
During the interview, Nick Phillips talked about the origins of almshouses, their growing demand and how they play a vital role in the provision of community-led affordable housing for people that cannot afford to buy their own house. Residents Geraldine and Terry talked to the presenter about almshouse living and what it meant to them with Geraldine proudly giving Natalia a guided tour.
At the end of the interview Nick Phillips emphasised the crucial requirement for increased philanthropic support so that more almshouses can be built and those that we have can continue to be well run and cost-efficient for many more generations to come.
Our thanks to the residents of Trinity Almshouses, to Sarah Oliver, Almshouse Manager at The Worshipful Company of Mercers and to Channel 5 for helping to raise the profile of almshouses. They also kindly supplied us with a video clip of the news item for everyone to view.
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posted 8 January 2024