CEO Christmas message and office opening times
The Spirit of Christmas: A Heartfelt Welcome at the ‘Inn‘
I am, and hope always will be, a huge fan of Christmas. The twinkling lights and the warmth of friendship is heartening but is nothing without some connection to the essence of the Christmas story – a story of, in many ways, overcoming enforced travel from a safe home to an unknown future.
The Seven Works of Mercy were the foundation spirit of the almshouse movement: feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, bury the dead, and provide shelter for the homeless.
These foundational values gave rise to the concept of almshouses, originally established as ‘hospitals’ (rooted in the tradition of hospitality). For over one thousand years, they have served as sanctuaries for those in need of shelter and they continue to fulfil that vital role today.
Almshouses provide not just a warm, safe and secure home, but also a sense of belonging within a community. For those navigating difficult times, they can offer a tranquil place where hope can flourish.
Many residents have faced unplanned enforced journeys through financial pressure or the challenges of homelessness with the structures they relied on disappearing before their eyes, leaving them vulnerable and anxious. For many it is a world of uncertain fearful journeys and in the winter it is so much worse somehow; the dark cold evenings leave many in need of stability and warmth which almshouses provide.
OFFICE OPENING TIMES
Christmas Eve
normal working hours
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Christmas Day – New Year’s Day
Office is closed
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Thursday 2 January 2025
normal working hours
Given the proven benefits of almshouses; the substantial savings in financial and social care costs; the positive impact on health and well-being; their demand far surpassing supply, one must ask, “why more are not being built?”
The need for almshouses extends far beyond the UK; they could offer much-needed refuge and warmth across the globe. In the Middle East I know of one almshouse that, if it still stands amidst the chaos, provides food and shelter to homeless children every day. This almshouse embodies the spirit of the Seven Works of Mercy and, tragically, may now find itself delivering on most of them. Yet, it probably remains just a solitary beacon in a hundred-square-mile expanse of devastation.
Christmas magnifies the importance of having a warm, safe and welcoming home. It’s a time when the absence of this can feel stark and brutal. Within their walls, almshouses offer to those who may have faced life’s toughest challenges, meaningful connections and nurture hope for the future.
For many older people this is often the case, but imagine a young person leaving the care system and entering adulthood with limited resources or support. For them, an almshouse could offer stability and a structured environment where they could develop life skills, gain independence and build confidence. For a single parent struggling to balance the needs of their child with the weight of financial insecurity, an almshouse could become a sanctuary providing a community and a breathing space. For refugees fleeing unimaginable hardship, these spaces could offer a chance to start again.
I feel very fortunate to be involved in the almshouse movement with such dedicated people around me. I am very aware almshouses cannot solve the chaos of the world or resolve every challenge in a person’s life, but I think another 10,000 almshouses in the UK would be a good starting point and goodness knows how many would be needed elsewhere in the world to do the same.
When we think of an ‘Inn’ on a cold winter’s night, we picture a haven of warmth and welcome. While almshouses are not ‘Inns’, they embody much of the same spirit. I am unwavering in my mission to champion the creation of many more of these exceptional homes or “Inns.” My hope is that philanthropists worldwide will be inspired to join our cause and the transformative impact almshouses have on the lives of their residents.
Have a warm and peaceful Christmas and thank you for all you do to keep the fabric and spirit of a warm welcome for residents.
Nick Phillips
CEO | The Almshouse Association