A huge thank you to everyone who helped make Members Day 2025 such a memorable and meaningful event! We are especially grateful to our generous sponsors – Charity Bank, CCLA, M&G and HCR Law, without whom the day simply wouldn’t have been possible.

With the mercury soaring to 31°C outside, the atmosphere inside was even warmer – full of energy, ideas and shared purpose.

A day of connection, inspiration and celebration

The day began with coffee, cakes, and a buzzing room full of conversation. It was a joy to reconnect with long-standing members, welcome new faces, and finally put names to faces in person.

Annual General Meeting and opening address

Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association, officially opened our 74th Annual General Meeting, setting the tone with a welcome that underscored our mission and the power of community. Outgoing treasurer Simon Ling took everyone through the numbers and voting  took place on the financial accounts, re-election of trustees and election of new trustees and reappointment of our auditors (minutes of the 74th AGM will be posted shortly).

We also said goodbye to some amazing contributors to the almshouse movement

Margaret Stewart stepped down from The Almshouse Association board of trustees after 21 years
Simon Ling stepped down as Honorary Treasurer after 8 years
Tricia Scouller stepped down as Chair of the Leonard Hackett Memorial Trust

An inspiring lineup

We were honoured to welcome a distinguished group of speakers who brought fresh insights and thought-provoking ideas:

Paul Excell | Court Assistant, The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists
Artificial Intelligence and its role in shaping the future of charities

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David Holdsworth | CEO, The Charity Commission
A critical look at the Charity Commission’s strategy and the current challenges facing the almshouse movement.
Jeremy Porteus | CEO, Housing LIN
Exploring the future of housing through the lens of community wellbeing and the Good Neighbours model.
Nick Phillips | CEO, The Almshouse Association
Presented ‘The Exemplar Model – Knowing Our Place’ as a blueprint for future development.
Panel Q&A with Association Consultants
An open and engaging discussion with expert insight on key member questions.
Willie Hartley Russell | Chairman, The Almshouse Association
Shared ‘The Way Ahead’, outlining a clear and passionate vision for our future, including a sneak preview of The Almshouse Association’s new coat of arms!

A particularly special moment was the introduction of Brother John of The Hospital of St Cross almshouses, who shared his incredible journey travelling the entire UK by bus, raising both funds for his almshouse charity and awareness of almshouses nationwide.

Brother John delights the audience

Celebrating Excellence – The Almshouse Association 2025 Awards

We were thrilled to present the 2025 Almshouse Association Awards, recognising our outstanding member achievements, and were delighted to welcome our award winners onto the stage to receive their Awards. [Watch out for full details on their projects will be posted on our website shortly]

Gardens and People Award Winners

The Municipal Charities of Dover
Weston Consolidated Charity

Lady Hewley’s Almshouses
The Sloswicke’s Almshouse Charity

Innovation for Living Award Winners

The Earl of Southampton Trust
The Walton Charity
Girton Town Charity
Robert Hudson’s Almshouses
Barnstaple Almshouses
Kendal Almshouse Charity

Inspirational Homes Award Winners

United St Saviours Charity
Ufford Charities (Non-Ecclesiastical)
The Richmond Charities
Uxbridge United Welfare Trust
The Anthony Gell and The Anthony Bunting Almshouse Charity
Simon Pott

…and The Almshouse Association Community Award went to The Charterhouse in London – a special recognition for meaningful local impact

Simon Pott, Chair of the Awards Panel, commended all our Award winners for their outstanding dedication and hard work.

He also emphasised that every one of our members is a winner, recognising their unwavering commitment to providing warm, safe, and welcoming homes for those in need within their local communities.

Congratulations to you all!

Looking to the future

We were deeply moved by George Courtauld, Director of Courtauld and Co. Ltd, who delivered a heartfelt speech as part of our Tomorrow’s Philanthropists programme, reminding us all of the essential human need for a place to call home.

George Courtauld
Penny Smith with Nick Phillips

The day concluded with a compassionate talk by Penny Smith – journalist, presenter, and newsreader – on Ageing Well: The Role of Friends, Neighbours and Community.

We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us, spoke, contributed, supported and inspired. Members Day 2025 captured the spirit of the almshouse movement at its very best – a community rooted in history and ready for the future.

Sponsor: CCLA
Sponsor: HCR Law
Sponsor: M&G
Sponsor: Charity Bank

Photography by Richard Gray

posted 26 June 2025