Erica Duckworth, Resident Services Manager, has shared this lovely update following our recent photo competition.
Almshouse residents, Mary and Brenda, whose winning photograph celebrated the joy, connection and sense of community at the heart of almshouse life, enjoyed an afternoon tea at the beautiful Chilston Park as their prize. The winning entry, titled “Tea with neighbours”, was submitted by Cutbush and Corrall Charity in Kent.
The photograph above shows Mary and Brenda alongside Darren, one of the resident service coordinators, who took the original winning photo (below).
We are delighted to hear that they all had a wonderful afternoon and thank everyone involved for sharing this special moment.
posted 3 February 2026
Almshouse resident Peggy, celebrated an incredible milestone on Saturday 24 January 2026, marking her 100th birthday with family, friends and fellow residents.
The celebration was kindly organised by Peggy’s daughter, Sharon, who hosted a party in Chesterfeld United Charity’s communal lounge to honour the special occasion.
Jennette Estevez, General Manager of the Charity, said: “Peggy had a wonderful day and is truly an inspiration to us all.”
Peggy has lived in her almshouse home for over 20 years and we were delighted to receive these gorgeous photos of Peggy celebrating her life and personal milestone.
posted 2 February 2026
Celebrating 80 years of community, heritage and hope
The Almshouse Association was founded 80 years ago by you, our members. Born out of the austerity and uncertainty of wartime Britain, and at a moment when new legislation and emerging models of social housing were placing intense pressure on almshouse trustees, the early leaders of the almshouse movement recognised a vital truth: to survive and to flourish, almshouses needed a collective voice. They needed to come together as a network.
Our predecessors showed remarkable foresight
They understood that the almshouse model was not becoming obsolete; on the contrary, it was becoming more necessary than ever. They recognised that housing provision alone, as envisaged by the new Welfare State, was not enough. People in need required more than a roof over their heads – they needed community. Almshouse trustees, too, needed a community beyond their individual charities, and Government needed to understand that this great national asset had enduring value for both today’s residents and future generations.
We will be using our 80th anniversary to highlight the unique value of almshouse charities, to raise funds to support existing charities, encourage the building of new almshouses, help new charities form, and uphold the founding principle that no resident should ever be lonely in an almshouse.
None of this would be possible without the outstanding leadership and commitment of trustees, clerks, wardens and volunteers across 1,600 almshouse charities throughout the UK.
We look forward to sharing our 80th anniversary with you.
The Almshouse Association team
posted 22 January 2025
Accommodation:
Mid terrace two story cottage one of four units.
- Recently refurbished Ground Floor Shower Room / WC
- New kitchen with electric cooker and fridge
- Sitting room
- Downstairs rear lobby
- 2 bedrooms – one leading into another
- Recent new electric night storage heaters plus open coal fire in sitting room
- Recently redecorated and carpeted
- New water tank
- Small garden back and front
- Peaceful rural location
- Immediately available
Criteria:
- Cottage will suit one or two occupants
- Being an Almshouse Charity applicants are assumed to be of a mature age and able to produce satisfactory references
- Steep cottage staircase suits able bodied occupants only
- Country location car essential
- No pets
- No smoking
Contact:
Apply in writing: William Gurney Charity
C/O MAG Group Building, Vulcan Road South, Norwich, Norfolk, NR6 6AF
Or by email to info@williamgurneytrust.co.uk
On 23 January 2026, almshouse charity, Guildhall Feoffment welcomed their local MP, Peter Prinsley, for a visit focused on the challenges facing almshouse charities.
Discussions centred on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the ongoing failure to recognise almshouses as affordable housing. As a result, almshouse charities can be subject to Selective Licensing, face Section 106 (S106) charges when developing, and are often unable to access Homes England funding or S106 funding. In addition, almshouses are typically excluded from designated planning routes such as Rural Exception Sites.
These barriers create significant obstacles for charities seeking to provide much-needed housing for older people and those in housing need.
Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association, commented:
“It is good to see charities raising the issue of the proposed NPPF. It is so valuable for MPs to hear directly from trustees and clerks about the real-world impact of this uneven policy. Simply put, without change we face a future with fewer almshouses being built and more older people experiencing homelessness and loneliness. It is time to fix this anomaly in legislation.”
posted 28 January 2025
The Association is asking Members to respond to the NPPF consultation and/or write to their MPs to support our campaign to have almshouses recognised as affordable in the National Planning Policy Framework.
Dear Members,
We are pleased to share with you a copy of The Almshouse Association’s draft consultation response to the Government’s proposals for the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Our response aims to ensure that the unique role of almshouses and other charitable housing providers is recognised in national planning policy.
Charitable housing organisations provide essential, long-term, affordable homes to older people, vulnerable households and local communities, often in ways that differ from commercial or mainstream housing delivery.
We have chosen to focus on Chapter 6: Delivering a Sufficient Supply of Homes (of the consultation) only, as this section contains the policies with the most direct impact on almshouses, charitable housing providers and the delivery of specialist and affordable housing for older and vulnerable people.
In particular, the response highlights:
- The need for planning definitions of affordable housing to explicitly include almshouses and charitable providers.
- Concerns about delivery targets, housing land supply policies, and housing mix requirements, and how these affect small-scale, community-led, and charitable housing schemes.
- Support for policies that enhance the provision of specialist housing for older people, adaptable homes, and social and affordable housing, with safeguards to ensure proportionate and sustainable delivery by charities.
- Recommendations for ensuring that commuted sums, off-site delivery, and large-scale development frameworks do not disadvantage smaller charitable providers.
Our NPPF consultation response has been drafted to inform Government consultation and to advocate for policy changes that enable charitable housing providers to continue delivering high-quality, affordable homes. Members are encouraged to review the document to understand the Association’s position and the rationale behind our responses. We have also drafted a letter that you may wish to tailor and send to your local MP.
We hope these will also serve as a useful reference for members engaging in the consultation or discussing the impact of planning policy on charitable housing provision. The deadline for the consultation is the 10 March 2026.
Call to Action
- Respond to Chapter 6 of the NPPF consultation, calling on the Government to properly acknowledge and support almshouses and other charitable housing providers by including them within the NPPF’s Affordable Housing definition.
- Write to your MP urging the Government to make a fair and necessary change to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), so that the vital role of charity-led housing, particularly almshouses, is fully recognised within the definition of Affordable Housing.
Thank you for your continued support in championing the role of almshouses and charitable housing in the wider housing sector.
posted 28 January 2026
Accommodation
A spacious two-bedroomed Almshouse in a community of retired persons is now available at Eden Cottages in Exeter Road, Ivybridge.
The Almshouse is suitable for two persons and comprises a large sitting room, two double bedrooms, upstairs bathroom, downstairs toilet and kitchen.
Criteria
The Trustees invite applications from anyone in housing and financial need but under the terms of our governing document they must be members of the Church of England*.
Applications will not be considered from existing homeowners, nor from established tenants of social housing.
Contact details
Full details and an application form can be obtained from the Secretary to the Trustees
Tel: 07855 830631
email: edencottages.secretary@544gmail.com
*The Eden Cottages charitable scheme states that residents must be “poor persons who are members of the Church of England” and the charities exemption of the Equality Act 2010 therefore permits it to specify that applicants have to be members of the Church of England.
NCVO has announced that they have once again partnered with Big Give and Global’s Make Some Noise to deliver the Small Charity Week 2026 match funding campaign – with applications now open and closing at 17.00 on 11 February 2026.
What’s the campaign about?
The campaign helps small charities maximise donations through match funding, providing vital unrestricted income. Thanks to match funding from Champion funders, including players of People’s Postcode Lottery, public donations made during the campaign will once again be doubled.
Plus, this year, it will expand to support more charities than ever before, including – for the first time – UK-based organisations working internationally, with increased funding also available for eligible charities in Scotland and Wales.
When does the campaign run?
The Small Charity Week 2026 match funding campaign will run from 22–29 June 2026, aligning with Small Charity Week – our national awareness week celebrating the essential role of small charities across the UK.
Who can apply?
Small charities with an annual income between £5,000 and £1 million across the UK, including those working internationally, are encouraged to apply.
How did the campaign perform last year?
In just seven days, the 2025 campaign raised £1.84 million, supporting 189 small charities through 9,208 donations. Through match funding, most charities received higher-value donations and connected with new supporters.
NCVO encourages small charities to take advantage of this opportunity and apply today. Please share with others in your network who may benefit
Leigh Brimicombe, Chief Influencing Officer, NCVO
Registered Charity No. 225922
posted 22 January 2026
Accommodation
We have a one-bedroom property available. It is set within large, shared private grounds with parking, managed by Trustees.
Criteria
Applicants should demonstrate ‘financial or social need’ and live locally to Weston Rhyn
Contact details
Anyone interested should contact Rentals@rogerparry.net, 01743 343343
Accommodation
One bed self-contained bungalow set within a small group of eight almshouses, built in the 1980s. The property offers comfortable accommodation in a quiet community setting. With separate lobby, lounge, kitchen, bathroom and large bedroom suited to a couple. Newly redecorated.
Criteria
Available for a person of limited means, either born in or currently resident in Swanley or Sutton at Hone, Kent.
Applicants must be able to live independently.
Contact details
For further information and an application form, please contact: jeni@witlet.co.uk / 01376 502 500