Dear all,

The Almshouse Association would like to take this opportunity to thank all our members, trustees, clerks, wardens, volunteers, supporters and donors for all that you have done this year to support the almshouse movement. especially when so many of you have had your own challenges and commitments to take care of.

It is no exaggeration to say that it has been a dreadful year and maybe many people will not be celebrating Christmas. Covid has been such a pain, not just impacting our daily routine, but it seems to have seeped into our very psyche! It has made people ill directly and those it has not touched directly, it has made them scared and miserable. But! We are, however, surprisingly optimistic about the year ahead. It is so often said that you only appreciate “it” when “it” has gone. Friendship and community means everything in the almshouse world and this past year, we have desperately missed the company of others, meeting friends, sharing a chat, tea together, the relaxed atmosphere of a busy friendly pub, parties and celebrations, warm hugs and kisses – the thought of getting that all back is making us so excited. We feel that there really is now a light at the end of the tunnel and it is getting so much brighter and closer. We can actually dare to imagine life getting back to normal. It will be different for a while, we have all been knocked off our feet this year, one way or another, but we know we will really appreciate time spent with others that maybe we were too busy to appreciate before.

And, here at the Association in 2021 we will be celebrating 75 years of supporting and representing almshouses charities, we intend to celebrate the great work of almshouses, all the hard work of the trustees, clerks, wardens, volunteers, sponsors and donors, for keeping the spirit and function of almshouses going and keeping our almshouse residents warm and safe and loved.

We all wish you, your families and residents a peaceful, safe and warm Christmas and a bright, positive New Year!

Posted 16 December 2020