A case study on the refurbishment project of Sheppard’s Almshouses in Amport, Hampshire.
The Almshouse Association provided a £100,000 loan to support the phased refurbishment of Sheppard’s Almshouses. The trustees of the Charity have kindly prepared the case study below to share their experience with fellow members and interested parties.
Introduction
The Sheppard’s Almshouses comprise six one-bedroom single-person cottages in a listed building aged over 200 years.
The cottages were in need of significant upgrade to modernise the kitchen and bathroom facilities, and to provide protection from the weather in the form of damp protection and insulation, as well as fitting new double-glazed windows at the rear of the building.
The project remains in progress at the time of writing. It has taken the trustees over three years to reach this stage. Four cottages (out of six) have now been refurbished.
If a charity does not have sufficient funds to carry out necessary works to their almshouses, part of the service The Almshouse Association offers its member charities is financial help in the form of grants and loans.
Background information on the charity
Sheppard’s Almshouses were founded over 200 years ago by Mrs Sheppard, who was the wife of the vicar of Amport, to provide accommodation for the poor widows of this rural parish. The almshouses are now owned and run by a registered charity (the Trust) and provide for those over 50 in need of housing in the parish or neighbouring areas.
A low historic maintenance charge made the homes affordable but left the trust unable to build reserves for major work. The charge is now aligned with fair rent guidelines.
New dormers
Project details
In 2021, respected local designer, Charles Liddell, was commissioned to draw up plans for refurbishment that would future-proof the cottages.
Listed building consent was granted in November 2022.
Key features include moving the bathrooms upstairs into new dormers, thereby increasing light and space.
Refurbishment has taken place two cottages at a time, as residents need to vacate temporarily. Harpoint Builders, a local firm familiar with the property, began the first phase in April 2024.
Challenges
Funding – The biggest challenge has been funding. No work could proceed until money was available. The Trust can only currently afford to complete four of the six cottages. No government or local grants were available, and VAT relief was not granted despite the listed status.Logistics – Trustees also faced logistical challenges in housing residents during the works, often relying on family support or temporary vacancy arrangements.
Resident impact
New kitchens
Residents and their families have been supportive throughout the process. Though temporary relocation has been disruptive at times, their cooperation has been invaluable. Trustees are grateful for their understanding and flexibility.
Minor issues have been resolved promptly by the Trust and contractors.
Loan from The Almshouse Association
The Trust secured a £100,000 loan from The Almshouse Association, which was critical in allowing the first phase to begin.
This provided a much-needed financial boost and enabled work on the first two cottages. Without it, the trustees believe the project would have been severely delayed or scaled back.
Other sources of funding
Local individuals have generously contributed donations, though applications to larger funding bodies have not yet yielded results. Now four cottages have been completed, the Trust are showcasing the work done to encourage further support from the community.First residents move back to historic village almshouses | Andover Advertiser
Unexpected challenges
As expected in a 200-year-old building, structural surprises emerged. The trustees, designer, and builder anticipated some complexity and managed issues pragmatically as they arose.
Reflections and advice
Looking back, the Trust would have benefitted from earlier communication about the need to raise the maintenance charge and build reserves. More proactive fundraising efforts earlier in the project might also have accelerated the timeline.
Advice to other almshouse trusts: build financial resilience early and take full advantage of support networks like The Almshouse Association.
Architects and builders
New bathrooms
The Trust is pleased with both the design and execution of the work.
The local knowledge of both Charles Liddell and Harpoint Builders proved a great advantage and they would be recommended to other local projects.
Listed building considerations
The project included extensive work on a listed building, requiring close coordination with the local authority and specialist design and materials.
Resident feedback
Overall feedback has been extremely positive. A resident recently commented,
“It feels like I’ve been given a brand-new home, but it still has all the warmth and history I loved about the old one.”
Community recognition
The project has been well received locally, with good feedback received from the Borough Councillor (see below). The Trust plans to engage further with the wider community.
Opening event and looking ahead
The Trust hopes to host an official opening once all six cottages are complete. This will be a celebration of perseverance, community support, and the legacy of Mrs Sheppard’s original vision.
Maureen Flood – Test Valley Borough Councillor, comments
“I been involved on the periphery, helping, in a small way, the Trustees of the Sheppard Cottages who have undertaken the demanding task of renovating these almshouses. It is a challenge bringing these historic buildings up to modern housing standards whilst retaining their traditional character and I commend those who undertake the task. It is good news to see these historic, lovely homes given a new lease of life. I have learnt that almshouses are a part of the modern housing offer and provide much needed and in the true sense of the word, ‘affordable’ housing for those who might otherwise be left without adequate housing. Almshouses, one of the earliest forms of social housing, address housing inequalities. As a Borough Councillor I particularly appreciate they provide affordable, comfortable housing in an increasingly difficult market for those who might not qualify for traditional social housing options.” Maureen Flood – Test Valley Borough Councillor
The Almshouse Association would like to thank all the people and organisations who so kindly donate to The Almshouse Association and leave gifts in their Wills. Without their generosity, we would not be in a position to help support almshouse charities with their renovations and new builds.
The Almshouse Association awards loans and grants to our member charities every year. In 2024, £813,667 was approved in new loans and grants totalled £60,000. Charities pay no interest on the loans, just a small administration fee. As they make repayments on the loans over a ten-year period, the Association can continue to offer loans to charities year after year, meaning that your donations continue to support almshouses and their residents in perpetuity.
If you are interested in making a donation to The Almshouse Association or leaving a gift in your Will, please do visit our Support Us pages here.
posted 22 September 2025