The inaugural meeting of the London Almshouse Group, held on 6th February 2020, at The Charity of Elizabeth Jane Jones and David Henry Waring Home was well attended and enjoyed by all.

CEO Nick Philips gave an update on the work of the Almshouse Association highlighting the below:

  • Proactive awareness-raising campaign on the value of almshouses.
  • Work undertaken with ministers in recognising almshouses.
  • New systems at Billingbear to improve service to members.
  • Flagging up the issue of almshouses not being recognised as valid recipients of section 106 funds from local councils and in many cases members having 106 levy placed on their own developments.
  • Confirmation from the Charity Commission that the legal definition of almshouses had been approved in principle and referenced for internal use but it was yet to be announced or updated in their guidance.  The date for updating the guidance has not been given.
  • Members who had engaged in the annual survey were thanked.

The other items discussed were:

  • Managing residents with dementia/memory loss. 
  • Setting weekly maintenance contribution.
  • Equalities Act – landlords are required to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate residents that have disability needs. 

The Almshouse Association’s involvement in organising the LAG meeting was a one-off to kick start the group.  The meeting agreed that LAG should continue, meet quarterly and that there should be annual rotating responsibility for co-ordinating, administrating and organising future meetings. Deborah Prescott, from Lygon Almshouses, has very kindly volunteered for the first year. 

Keep an eye out for the date of the next meeting date which will be posted here