NEW!!
Short form library | 10 mins | CPD accredited
This bitesize online Communication Skills Training course helps staff build on their existing communication skills by providing guidance on initiating and responding to various forms of communication. It’s suitable for all levels of staff within any type of organisation.
Learning outcomes
Understand the benefits of effective communication skills
Understand how to eliminate communication roadblocks
Build relationships that emphasise trust and respect
This training course is broken down into 2 sections
Section 1: Looks at what communication is, the communication circuit, how we all communicate and some of the barriers to effective communication we might face.Section 2: Looks at how people can overcome barriers to effective communication while at work. This will be broken down into 4 easy steps – active listening, use of non-verbal signals, staying calm and being assertive
Communication Skills Certificate
The course ends with a multiple choice test to measure your knowledge of the material and a printable certificate which includes your name, name of course taken, pass percentage, date of completion and accreditations by recognised authorities.
To access your course
When you click the below login button, you will be taken through to the Training login area.
Type in your email address to log in, select the course you want to complete and follow the onscreen instructions.NOTE – If this is the first time you have logged into the iHasco Online training area, you will be asked for your name, the name of your charity and Almshouse Association membership number. Please type in your first name and last name as you would like them to appear on your certificate.
The Almshouse Association is delighted to announce that Christmas Fund gift vouchers will once again be available this year for almshouse residents* who are 90 years of age or older on 25th December 2025.
*almshouse residents of almshouse charities that are members of The Almshouse Association
The Christmas Fund was established over 70 years ago thanks to the generosity of Major Allnatt , a successful businessman and philanthropist. Working closely with Leonard Hackett, the Association’s founding General Secretary, Major Allnatt wished to provide a small gift to almshouse residents each Christmas Eve. Remarkably, he chose to remain anonymous until his death in 1969.
Today, the Almshouse Association continues to honour his legacy. The funds he left have been carefully invested so that every year, almshouse charities can receive gift vouchers to distribute to their residents at Christmas.
An order form to request the Christmas vouchers can be found in the Autumn/Winter edition of the Almshouses Gazette, which is being sent to all member charities next week.
You can also download the form here to complete and return.
Please submit your completed form to the Almshouse Association via email or post by 21st November 2025 – THE WINDOW FOR SUBMITTING FORMS IS NOW CLOSED
Gift vouchers are issued on a first-come, first-served basis and will be sent to the member contact listed on your form, so they can be handed to residents on Christmas Eve. (Please note: The Almshouse Association will not send vouchers directly to residents. )
We love seeing photos of these heartwarming moments, as almshouse communities come together to celebrate the festive season so please keep sending them in.
posted 30 October 2025
In a world where getting on the property ladder feels increasingly out of reach, more women are rethinking what “home” really means.
For writer Claire Weekes , letting go of the pressure to buy has brought a new kind of freedom – one rooted in choice, not compromise. And for others, like teaching assistant Catherine Turner , that freedom has taken the form of something unexpected: an almshouse .
These centuries-old charitable homes, once thought of as a last resort, are being rediscovered as a modern solution to affordable housing, offering stability and a genuine sense of community. With demand for alternative housing on the rise, almshouses are quietly proving that security doesn’t have to come with a mortgage.
“The building is beautiful and there’s a great sense of community here. It feels like a home for life.” — Catherine Turner
Read Claire Weekes’ full article in Woman & Home [here ]. Our thanks to Woman & Home for kindly providing us with a copy to share.
posted 30 October 2025
NEW!!
Short form library | 18 mins | CPD accredited
This course explores the idea of leadership and provides some tips on how you can improve your own leadership skills.
Learning outcomes
Have explored what it means to be a leader
Understand different leadership styles
Have gained some practical tips that you can use to embrace your inner leader
This training course is broken down into 3 sections
Section 1: Looks at what a leader is and the different types of leaderSection 2: Looks at some of the benefits of embracing leadership and how leaders can implement plans, motivate people, adapt and envision change.Section 3: Conclusion
Introduction to Leadership Certificate
The course ends with a multiple choice test to measure your knowledge of the material and a printable certificate which includes your name, name of course taken, pass percentage, date of completion and accreditations by recognised authorities.
To access your course
When you click the below login button, you will be taken through to the Training login area.
Type in your email address to log in, select the course you want to complete and follow the onscreen instructions.NOTE – If this is the first time you have logged into the iHasco Online training area, you will be asked for your name, the name of your charity and Almshouse Association membership number. Please type in your first name and last name as you would like them to appear on your certificate.
NEW!!
Short form library | 10 mins |
This Writing Effective Emails Training course has been designed to help the learner understand the importance of sending an effective email. It covers a simple four step process to writing effective emails, which can improve a persons writing skills, professional relationships, and productivity. This course has been designed for the use of all levels of employees..
Learning outcomes
Understand the importance of writing an effective email
Understand how you can improve the content of your emails
Learn tips on how to write an effective email
This training course is broken down into 2 sections
Section 1: Runs through the components you can expect to be included in the average email, and also covers email etiquette
Section 2: Covers the four-step process to writing an effective email.
Writing Effective Emails Certificate
The course ends with a multiple choice test to measure your knowledge of the material and a printable certificate which includes your name, name of course taken, pass percentage, date of completion and accreditations by recognised authorities.
To access your course
When you click the below login button, you will be taken through to the Training login area.
Type in your email address to log in, select the course you want to complete and follow the onscreen instructions.NOTE – If this is the first time you have logged into the iHasco Online training area, you will be asked for your name, the name of your charity and Almshouse Association membership number. Please type in your first name and last name as you would like them to appear on your certificate.
NEW!!
Short form library | 10 mins
This bitesize (10-minute) Effective Meetings Training course helps staff to understand meeting etiquette, the different roles and responsibilities people have in meetings, and gives staff actionable tips to help them improve their participation in face-to-face and virtual meetings.
Learning outcomes
Understand what meeting etiquette is
Understand individual roles and responsibilities in a meeting
Learn how to offer and gain value from all meetings
This training course is broken down into 2 sections
Section 1: The first section of the course explores how individuals can contribute to a meeting to help make it effective, what meeting etiquette is and the different roles and responsibilities people may have in meetings.Section 2: The final section of the course looks at a four-step process on how to make the most effective decisions.
Effective Meetings Certificate
The course ends with a multiple choice test to measure your knowledge of the material and a printable certificate which includes your name, name of course taken, pass percentage, date of completion and accreditations by recognised authorities.
To access your course
When you click the below login button, you will be taken through to the Training login area.
Type in your email address to log in, select the course you want to complete and follow the onscreen instructions.NOTE – If this is the first time you have logged into the iHasco Online training area, you will be asked for your name, the name of your charity and Almshouse Association membership number. Please type in your first name and last name as you would like them to appear on your certificate.
NEW!!
Short form library | 10 mins | CPD accredited
This Effective Decision Making Training course has been designed to help the user understand how they can effectively make decisions and how they can improve their decision making. The course offers advice that helps users implement what they have learnt into real world scenarios.
Learning outcomes
Understand what decision-making is
Know the importance of effective decision-making at home and at work
Know how to make an effective decision
This training course is broken down into 2 sections
Section 1: The opening section of the course looks at what decision-making is and why decision-making is importantSection 2: The final section of the course looks at a four-step process on how to make the most effective decisions.
Effective Decision Making Certificate
The course ends with a multiple choice test to measure your knowledge of the material and a printable certificate which includes your name, name of course taken, pass percentage, date of completion and accreditations by recognised authorities.
To access your course
When you click the below login button, you will be taken through to the Training login area.
Type in your email address to log in, select the course you want to complete and follow the onscreen instructions.NOTE – If this is the first time you have logged into the iHasco Online training area, you will be asked for your name, the name of your charity and Almshouse Association membership number. Please type in your first name and last name as you would like them to appear on your certificate.
Awaab’s Law was introduced on 27 October 2025 through an amendment to the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023, in response to the tragic death of Awaab Ishak who died after being exposed to mould at his Rochdale home in December 2020.
In the wake of this tragedy, Awaab’s family has fought to secure justice, not only for their son but for all those who live in social housing.
Awaab’s Law places strict time limits on social landlords who are regulated by the Social Housing Regulator to investigate and repair reported issues of damp and mould.
At the present time (October 2025), Awaab’s Law applies to Registered Providers in England only.
The Almshouse Association is pleased to confirm, however, that following extensive engagement with government officials, almshouse charities that are Registered Providers in England are exempt from the requirements of Awaab’s Law . This exemption recognises the distinct legal and operational status of almshouses, where residents occupy their homes under licence rather than tenancy agreements – and can be seen in the guidance produced by the Government below:
The Almshouse Association will now review and update its policies for all member charities on damp, mould and other housing hazards to ensure residents continue to live in safe, well-maintained homes. These policies will reflect the charitable nature, size and governance of almshouse charities, while maintaining high standards of accommodation and care.
posted 28 October 2025
NEW!!
Short form library | 25 mins | CPD accredited
This IIRSM approved Sexual Harassment Awareness Training course has been designed for everyone and aims to raise awareness of workplace sexual harassment. It provides the necessary tools and information to identify, prevent, and most importantly, remove sexual harassment from the workplace. This CPD Accredited course is suitable for all levels of employees and volunteers and is relevant to all industry sectors.
Learning outcomes
Understand how to prevent sexual harassment at work
Be able to better identify cases of sexual harassment at work
Know how to properly report sexual harassment in the workplace
This training course is broken down into 3 sections
Section 1: Teaches the user exactly what is meant by the term “sexual harassment”, helps the user understand the types of sexual harassment and what negative effects it might have on an individual.Section 2: Presents the user with multiple scenarios where a scenario may or may not be considered sexual harassment. These scenarios focus particularly on the “grey areas” of sexual harassment.Section 3: Teaches the user about the two stages of addressing sexual harassment. Users will learn about the formal route they can take, the legal route and how they can handle uncomfortable situations. The course also offers information on external services that could be of use
Sexual Harassment Awareness Certificate
The course ends with a multiple choice test to measure your knowledge of the material and a printable certificate which includes your name, name of course taken, pass percentage, date of completion and accreditations by recognised authorities.
To access your course
When you click the below login button, you will be taken through to the Training login area.
Type in your email address to log in, select the course you want to complete and follow the onscreen instructions.NOTE – If this is the first time you have logged into the iHasco Online training area, you will be asked for your name, the name of your charity and Almshouse Association membership number. Please type in your first name and last name as you would like them to appear on your certificate.
NEW!!
Short form library | 15 mins
Exploring how to improve your organisational skills with practical tips on how to prioritise tasks, communicate effectively, and organise a workspace
Learning outcomes
Understand what organisational skills are and the benefits they bring
Understand how to improve your own organisational skills
Be equipped with practical tools to put your organisational skills into action
This training course is broken down into 2 sections
Section 1: Looks at the types of organisational skills, why they are important and what they cover.Section 2: Looks at how an individual can improve their organisational skills.
Organisational Skills Certificate
The course ends with a multiple choice test to measure your knowledge of the material and a printable certificate which includes your name, name of course taken, pass percentage, date of completion and accreditations by recognised authorities.
To access your course
When you click the below login button, you will be taken through to the Training login area.
Type in your email address to log in, select the course you want to complete and follow the onscreen instructions.NOTE – If this is the first time you have logged into the iHasco Online training area, you will be asked for your name, the name of your charity and Almshouse Association membership number. Please type in your first name and last name as you would like them to appear on your certificate.