Almshouse Resilient Communities (ARC) for the Future project

The Almshouse Resilient Communities (ARC) for the Future project enhances research on the resilience of the almshouse model, providing further evidence of its positive impact on residents’ well-being. It highlights why almshouses excel as community-led housing, showcasing elements that make them life-changing homes among supportive neighbours.

The Association encourages members to read the findings (click here to access ARC project) for its valuable insights and consider it alongside the growing body of independent research available (click here to access The Almshouse Association Library of research).

Almshouse Resilient Communities (ARC) for the Future project.

In a world facing increasingly severe threats, including climate change and pandemics, we need to build resilient communities.

ARC for the Future was a 30-month research project, working with seven community partners who provide high-quality accommodation for older residents.

From these almshouse communities, some of which have been in place for hundreds of years, we can learn much about resilience, not only for almshouse communities but for society more generally. The project explored three perspectives: community, built environment and organisational resilience.

Themes
ARC for the Future found 30 themes which contribute to almshouse community resilience. The 30 themes are grouped into 4 key themes:

To access all links related to the project, please visit ARC for the Future – United St Saviour’s Charity (ustsc.org.uk)

The project was led by University College London (UCL) . Who funded the Work?: The project was funded by The Dunhill Medical Trust (DMT). Beyond a constantly supportive presence, DMT took no direct part in this research. How to cite: Callahan, E., Murtagh, N., Pannell, J. & Pooley, A. (2024) The Knowledge Hub on Resilience in Almshouse Communities. https://www.ustsc.org.uk/arc-for-the-future. The partners were United St Saviour’s Charity, London, Sir Josiah Mason Trust, West Midlands, Durham Aged Mineworkers’ Homes Association, County Durham, Whiteley Homes Trust, Surrey, Southwark Charities, London; Legacy East Almshouse Partnership, East Anglia, Bristol Charities, Bristol. The partner project team members: Alison Benzimra (UStSC); Zoe Richardson (SJMT); Sue Taylor, Lisa da Silva and Laura Cole (WHT). Residents Advisory Group members: Andy Rosholm-Olesen, Kim Baxter, Liz McIlduff, Maggie Andersen, Nick Henderson, Pat Medina, Roger Hoare, Sid Guichard, Viv Guichard, and other almshouse residents. Professional Advisory Group members: Martyn Craddock, United St Saviour’s Charity; Rachel Hill, Whiteley Homes Trust; David Healey, SJMT; Paul Mullis, DAMHA; Chris Wilson, Southwark Charities; Julian Mines, Bristol Charities; Nick Phillips, The Almshouse Association; Charlotte Cook, Winckworth Sherwood Law; Lois Beech, Housing LIN; Sarah Davis, Chartered Institute of Housing; Paul Gayler, Chelmsford City Council; Chris Jones, Erosh (Midlands)/Wyggestons Almshouse Charity; Anne Taylor, Thorngate Churcher Trust; Althea Howarth, Ridgeway Associates; Mushtaq Khan, Housing Diversity Network; Oliver Soutar, Dunhill Medical Trust

posted 29 July 2024