As a member of The Almshouse Association, you are invited to proudly display The Almshouse Association Member Logo on your website, social media and any promotional materials or stationery.
The Almshouse Association Member logo represents a shared sense of community, connecting all members. It reflects your commitment as an almshouse charity to excellence and embodies the pride we take in our collective mission:
Creating affordable, warm and safe homes in friendly communities for people in housing need, preserving the legacies of the almshouse movement and protecting our national heritage.
Why branding is important
Should you encounter any issues, please don’t hesitate to contact us at karenmorris@almshouses.org . We would be more than more than happy to assist.
posted 11 November 2024
The Almshouse Association 1-day interactive learning training course is a great opportunity to meet your counterparts in the almshouse network and underpin your knowledge of almshouses and how they operate.
It is aimed at ‘new to the role’ CEOs, clerks and trustees as well as members that are looking to consolidate their knowledge. It has been CPD accredited (Continuing Professional Development) and attendees will receive a certificate at the end of the course.
Objective To provide almshouse charity CEOs, clerks and trustees with essential training and to enable you to adopt best practice in fulfilling your duties and furthering the success of your almshouse charity .
The Almshouse Association is so very pleased to be able to offer Christmas fund gift vouchers again this year to almshouse residents who are 90 years of age or older on 25th December 2024 .
The Almshouse Association Christmas Fund derives its origin from a generous legacy left to the Association over 70 years ago by Major Allnatt, a successful businessman and philanthropist who worked closely with and supported the Association’s founding General Secretary, Leonard Hackett.
His wish was for a small gift to be handed to almshouse residents on Christmas Eve and until his death in 1969 he wanted to remain anonymous.
The Almshouse Association invested the funds he left so that every year we are able to honour both his name and legacy in the form of a gift voucher that is sent to almshouse charities to give to their residents* at Christmas.
You’ll find an order form to apply for the Christmas vouchers in the Autumn/Winter Almshouses Gazette click on this link to download the form
Please complete and return to The Almshouse Association by email or post before the 22 November 2024.
All gifts are issued on a first come, first served basis and will be sent to the member contact detailed on your form in time to be given to your residents on Christmas Eve (The Almshouse Association will not send vouchers directly to the resident).
We love to see photos of the heart-warming occasions, so with your residents’ permission, please do keep sending them in to us!
28 October 2024
* Almshouse residents of member charities who are 90 years old or over on 25 December 2024. Vouchers must be applied for by the Charity using the official Christmas fund booking form and received by The Almshouse Association by the deadline on the form. Vouchers are sent to the designated contact at the member charity. There are limited vouchers available which are issued on a first come, first served basis.
Navigating energy bills continues to be something of a daunting task, especially when finances are limited. The Association has put together some practical advice and suggestions on the subject to help alleviate the pressure of high energy bills which we hope will be helpful for our member almshouse charities and their residents.
Warm Home Discount energy grants or support services. If you are receiving pension credit or certain other benefits, you could qualify for the Warm Home Discount which is a one-time payment of £150 to help with your electricity bill. If you’re eligible and your supplier participates in the scheme, the discount is usually received automatically between October and March.
Winter Fuel Payment Winter Fuel Payments and the process now involved in applying for this, but for those aged over 60 it is still worth enquiring whether you are eligible for this payment from the government of up to £300 that helps cover energy costs during the chilly winter months.
Cold weather payment payment kicks in when the temperature drops below 0 degrees for a whole week. You could get £25 for each qualifying week between November and March.
The Priority Services Register (PSR) register .
Each supplier has its own process for those in difficulty with energy bills, so it’s best to speak to them when you need help.
Practical tips to help save energy
Upgrade appliances with those that have good EPC (energy performance certificate) ratings to reduce energy consumption.Replace old incandescent bulbs with energy efficient LED bulbs which use less energy and have a longer lifespan.Seal drafts: Check around windows, doors, and vents and seal them with weatherstripping or caulking. This helps prevent heat loss in winter and keeps cool air inside during summer.Set your thermostat to energy efficient temperatures of between 18-21 degrees. The lower the setting the higher the savings.Curtains: During sunny days, open curtains or blinds to keep the home warmer. Close them at night to retain heat.Deal with faulty insulation or inefficient heating, let your landlord know.Limit hot water usage: Use energy efficient showerheads, take shorter showers, and wash clothes in cold water to reduce energy consumption associated with heating water.Install a smart meter which is free. This shows you exactly how much energy you’re using and when so you can spot any energy guzzling habits and make changes to save money. Laundry tips : Wash clothes at 20-40°C to save energy and money. Avoid using the tumble dryer and instead, dry clothes outside whenever possible. Don’t dry clothes directly on radiators as it disrupts the warm airflow in the room.Water usage: Spend less time in the shower aiming for just 4 minutes and consider swapping baths for showers. Avoid overfilling the kettle, only boiling the amount of water you need.Dishwasher usage: Fill your dishwasher with a full load and use the eco setting if available to save energy.
posted 29 October 2024
In September 2024, the Earl of Southampton Trust enjoyed a wonderful day celebrating the official opening two new almshouses.
A spokesperson for the almshouse charity expressed their huge thanks to Cllr. Connie Hockley and Paul Holmes MP for taking part in the official opening, ensuring another two homes were now available for local people in housing need.
A spokesperson for the Trust said,
“Despite the the rain, we truly appreciate everyone who attended and showed their support.
They shared with us a great video of the day that can accessed by clicking below:
What a stunning finish!
We are looking forward to reading the Trust’s case study on the project which they tell us they are busy working on to demonstrate how funds were spent and lessons learnt. Firstly though, we hope they are all enjoying a well earned rest!
posted 28 October 2024
Many Happy Returns of the Day from The Almshouse Association Phil!
Municipal Charities celebrated Phil Sweet’s 100th Birthday Party on 25 October 2024 . at the Town Hall in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Phil Sweet, a resident of one of the Municipal Charities Almshouses in Stratford-upon-Avon was involved in the D Day landings on 6 June 1944.
Phil’s family were joined by almshouse residents, trustees and staff of Municipal Charities and members of the Stratford URC Church to celebrate his 100th Birthday party. The Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Tim Cox and the Deputy Lieutenant Simon Miesegaes was also there to celebrate the event along with the Mayor of Stratford Jason Fotjik.
The High Sheriff of Warwickshire Mrs Rajvinder Kaur Gill sent her greetings “Wishing Phil a wonderful 100th birthday celebration.”
The MP for Stratford Manuela Perteghella said “I hope Phil has a wonderful time.”
The Chair of Municipal Charities Andy Smith said “Phil has been one of our residents for over 21 years and we are delighted to be able to join with his family and Stratford Town Council to celebrate Phil’s 100th birthday.”
Phil recalls the following about his war time experience:
“I was sent to a place called Lochailort in the Highlands where I did six weeks of hefty nautical and ability training. Those six weeks were the toughest I have experienced in my life both physically and mentally. At the end of each week you had exams and if you were not good enough you would be dropped. But I lasted and was appointed an officer then sent to Troon for officer training for another six weeks and then appointed to a tank landing craft ready for the D-Day landings.
The war had been going for quite a considerable period of time for my training was in readiness for the D-Day landings the time of which we did not know then.
I was part of the initial wave that landed at the village of La Rivière as part of the Gold Beach landings. I was in a flotilla which were the first to go into the beach with two tanks on top of each other on the landing craft so that they could bombard the beach with shells as they were coming in to land. We didn’t lose anybody that day although the landing craft was damaged by the underwater objects as we were going in.
Then following the landing we were offloading equipment to the beaches and whilst doing so I had to go to the tented hospital at Bayeux with suspected peritonitis which turned out to be appendicitis.
I was sent to Plymouth to HMS Foliot, running all the movement of landing craft. We were tropicalizing (adding refrigeration and air conditioning) landing craft ready for the Far East but of course that collapsed because they dropped the atomic bomb.”
posted 25 October 2024
Our Friends Tour of Morden College Unveils a Rich Tapestry of History
On a crisp and sunny October morning in Blackheath, final preparations were in full swing for our Friends of The Almshouse Association who would be joining us for an exclusive tour of Morden College. Steaming pots of tea and freshly brewed coffee were being organised, awaiting the arrival of our special guests.
Founded in 1695 by Sir John Morden , this historic institution was built on 11 acres of Wricklemarsh Manor to provide board, lodging, and pensions for struggling traders.
John Morden was born in the City of London, apprenticed at age 20 to his uncle, Sir William Soame, and sent to Aleppo to work as a factor. He becomes an international trader and member of the Levant (Turkey) Company and the East India Company, returning to London in 1660 having amassed a substantial fortune.
In 1669, seven years after his marriage to Susan Brand, daughter of merchant Sir Joseph Brand, of Edwardstone, Suffolk, John Morden purchased the Manor of Wricklemarsh in Blackheath (for £4200), a 250-acre estate, to become their home. Morden College was built in 1695 on the north-east 11 acres of Wricklemarsh Manor to provide board, lodging and a pension for traders who had fallen on hard times.
Sir John, who passed away age 86, is buried in the chapel crypt and statues of John and his wife, Dame Susan, still grace the western front of the College, added in 1717.
Under the terms of John Morden’s will, College trustees are drawn from the Turkey Company, and should it fail (which it did in 1834) from the East India Company, and should that fail then from the Aldermen of the City of London, who have provided the Charity’s trustees since 1884. A centenary plaque installed in the main entrance in 1984 commemorates the Aldermen’s association.
Over the centuries, the site has expanded, with the latest addition being the John Morden Centre – a beautifully designed hub that includes a medical centre, restaurant, workshops and more. Now bustling with activity, it serves both residents and the local community.
Credit: Mae Architects
Credit: (centre and right)Morden College
“It was a fantastic day and it was wonderful learning about the history of such an iconic almshouse.”
The tour offered an intimate look into the building’s history, revealing its many layers and hidden corners as our Friends were taken back in time to learn about the life of Sit John Morden and his legacy.
More tours will be held in 2025, and we eagerly anticipate welcoming our Friends back.
Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association said, “We are immensely grateful to Morden College for inviting us to take a look around their wonderful almshouses and grounds. They represent an exemplar model of almshouses and stand as testament to the generosity and vision of their philanthropic founder.”
If you’d like to join our Friends of Members, please click here —friends and family are also welcome.
posted 24 October 2024
Some of our members have informed us of difficulties they are experiencing in accessing the website of the Charity Commission which the Association has referred to the Commission.
We have been informed that the problems have arisen due to the high volume of users accessing the system and efforts are being made to resolve the issues as soon as possible.
Please do not be concerned if the current technical issues are delaying you filing your charity’s annual return.
The Charity Commission has confirmed the following:
“We are aware that there are intermittent problems with our systems that may be affecting our customer’s ability to submit annual returns and work is being done to try and resolve these issues as soon as possible.
In the interim, we will backdate any submissions that are delayed because of the IT issues and are advising customers that if any technical issues delay the filing of the annual return, once trustees have been able to file the annual return, they can email us at changefilingdate@charitycommission.gov.uk to let us know that they have filed.
We will then ensure that the public register shows that they have filed on time. “
posted 24 October 2024
According to recent reports, “the Government’s National Wealth Fund (NWF) will provide financial guarantees for two high street banks to deliver £1bn in funding to support the retrofit of social housing in the UK”.
Following the headlines about a new fund for refurbishing social housing, members have been asking questions about when and how to access the new £1bn social housing fund for refurbishment.
The Almshouse Association spoke with Homes England yesterday (23 October 2024) and as yet, even senior contacts at Homes England are not clear on when and how the funds will be distributed. Our contact, however, has said it is likely to be available to Regulated Providers only. This is not confirmed but anticipated.
For those seeking to remodel please remember that The Almshouse Association offers interest free loans, and in some cases grants. It is also possible to access remodelling grants from Homes England even if your charity is NOT REGISTERED (Regulated). The Almshouse Consortium Limited (ACL) offers support for this fund.
Click here for more information on Loans, Grants and other funds.
posted 24 October 2024
An update on the latest policy, governance and political engagement news from The Almshouse Association.
National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
Almshouses making headway with a change of definition in NPPF .
18.10.24: Question in Parliament: The Association was pleased to see another question asked in Parliament this week on behalf of the almshouse movement:
Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrats) (Stratford-upon-Avon): (8305) To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will make it her policy to bring almshouses into the definition of affordable housing.
Matthew Pennycook (Labour) (Greenwich and Woolwich): Our consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework sought views on whether changes are needed to the definition of ‘affordable housing for rent’ to make it easier for organisations that are not Registered Providers, including almshouses, to develop new affordable homes.
UPDATE: 26 November 2024 – A further question was asked by Neil O’Brien Shadow Minister (Education)
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether she plans to amend the National Planning Policy Framework to allow almshouse charities that are not registered providers to receive Section 106 funds for the provision of affordable housing.
Matthew Pennycook Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) responded with ‘I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave to Question UIN 8305 on 18 October 2024.’
Letter from Matthew Pennycook, Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) – Following your effective campaigning, many of your MPs have written to Matthew Pennycook to ask for his support in the change in definition of almshouses in the NPPF. Receiving so many letters (we believe over 100) encouraged Matthew Pennycook to write to Nick Phillips at the Association (again) this week to express his thanks for the many letters and to confirm that the matter is being given attention during the review of the NPPF consultation.
MP Engagement
Member charity engagement has led to many MP visits to almshouses.
Association CEO, Nick Phillips has not been able to attend all of the visits but he will be holding a ‘drop in’ session at Portcullis House in Westminster in December to meet any MPs that he has been unable to meet. The purpose will be to discuss almshouses and our drive to see the planning issue amended. The date in December is currently being finalised. Members will be informed as soon as possible.
National Federation and The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
Nick Phillips has been working with the National Federation of Housing and MHCLG regarding the qualification requirement for Registered (Regulated) almshouse charities.
The Association has put forward a strong case to exempt all trustees and to recognise a minimal scale/size of almshouses where it would be impractical to have a requirement for clerk or warden to gain the qualification. Members will be updated as as soon as we hear more.
Regulated Housing Provider Check List
The Association is working with a number of partners with the challenge of interpreting the requirements of Regulated returns. We will shortly be introducing a simple check list of the up-to-date requirements for Regulated Housing Providers.
posted 22 October 2024 , updated Dec 24