The Almshouse Association provided Frederick John Cleminson for Almshouses with a £25,000 grant in 2024 to allow for the refurbishment of the kitchen and bathroom and relocation of the downstairs toilet in Cottage No.3.

If a charity does not have sufficient funds to carry out necessary works to their almshouses, part of the service The Almshouse Association offers its member charities is financial help in the form of grants and loans.

With the project completed the Charity has kindly prepared a case study for us to share with you.

Background

The F.J. Cleminson Trust for Almshouses manages four Grade II listed almshouses in the small rural village of Willingale, in Essex.

Built in the early 1600s these cottages were later donated to the village to provide safe, affordable housing for elderly people in the community, continuing the philanthropic legacy of Frederick John Cleminson (1878–1943).

Each cottage is unique in layout and size, and the buildings retain many original features and are an important part of the village’s heritage. Over recent years, the focus of the trustees (themselves residents of the village) has been on essential external repairs to make the cottages watertight and preserve their historic character.

Identifying the need

The trustees became aware that Cottage No. 3 required urgent attention as the beneficiary was struggling with accessibility due to an outdated bath and poor shower facilities. In addition, the kitchen was extremely cramped, providing restricted accessibility and was outdated compared to the other cottages.

Having invested significantly in external repairs in recent years, the Charity’s remaining funds were committed to maintaining essential operations and reserves. The trustees faced a challenge in addressing the pressing needs of this beneficiary with no surplus available to invest in further repairs or improvements.

Applying for support

The trustees were aware that grants might be available from The Almshouse Association and applied for a grant of £25,000 to cover the required work in this cottage. The Association’s team was exceptionally supportive, guiding us through the application process and ensuring we met all requirements. We were thrilled to be awarded the grant, which made the project possible.

The project

After securing three quotes, we selected a competitive local builder for the project. The plan included:

  • Complete refurbishment of the kitchen, including moving a wall to create more space.
  • Relocation of the downstairs toilet for improved accessibility within the kitchen.
  • Full renovation of the upstairs bathroom to provide safer, easier showering for current and future beneficiaries.

Bathroom, before, during and after

Work began in early July. Due to the scale of the project and the cottage’s small size, our beneficiary was temporarily relocated. As expected with a building of this age, we encountered some unforeseen issues cause by old pipes, uneven floors and ceilings and complex wiring, which extended the timeline.

The original location of the toilet cut into useable kitchen space
Site of relocation (unused end of living area) allowed for extension of kitchen.  
New toilet area

Impact

Despite the challenges, the outcome has transformed the rooms. The improvements have revolutionised daily life for our resident, making her home safer and more comfortable. She celebrated her 80th birthday shortly after returning, proudly showing her family the refurbished cottage.

The kitchen, before during and after

Gratitude and acknowledgements

We are deeply grateful to The Almshouse Association for their generous grant, which addressed our greatest concern and secured the future of Cottage No. 3. Special thanks to Jo Williamson for her helpful visit and to Fenella Hall for her ongoing support throughout the process.

The Almshouse Association would like to thank all the people and organisations who so kindly donate to The Almshouse Association and leave gifts in their Wills. Without their generosity, we would not be in a position to help support almshouse charities with their renovations and new builds.

The Almshouse Association awards loans and grants to our member charities every year. In 2024, £813,667 was approved in new loans and grants totalled £60,000. Charities pay no interest on the loans, just a small administration fee. As they make repayments on the loans over a ten-year period, the Association can continue to offer loans to charities year after year, meaning that your donations continue to support almshouses and their residents in perpetuity.

If you are interested in making a donation to The Almshouse Association or leaving a gift in your Will, please do visit our Support Us pages here.

posted 10 November 2025