Association £100,000 loan helps complete £1.946m restoration

Case Study: Fitzgerald Charity restoration of 14 almshouses in Seaford

When almshouse charities face major repair costs or seek to expand provision for people in need, financial support can make the difference between decline and sustainability. As part of its member services, The Almshouse Association provides grants and loans to help charities struggling with funds to maintain and develop their housing.

A £100,000 interest-free loan from The Almshouse Association enabled the Fitzgerald Charity to complete the final phase of a £1.946 million, nine-year refurbishment of 14 Grade II listed almshouses in Seaford.

Background

Fitzgerald Charity in East Sussex was founded in 1858 by John Purcell Fitzgerald, who endowed over 50 properties and land to fund almshouses built in phases between 1864 and 1893. Over time, property sales were converted into investments that supported major renovations in 1959 and 1982.

However, cost-cutting during the 1980s works led to defects, including roof and insulation failures, requiring significant remedial expenditure in the 1990s. By 2016, the trustees committed to a “back to first principles” approach — stripping each unit to its structural shell and rebuilding to modern standards while respecting the historic fabric.

The Project (2016–2025)

The refurbishment was delivered in four phases under professional supervision, addressing:

Structural reinforcement (including wall ties in early “bungaroosh” construction)
Full insulation and damp-proofing upgrades
Roof and chimney restoration
Modern services and improved layouts

Total cost: £1.946 million
Average cost per unit: c. £139,000

Despite careful financial planning and use of reserves, Phase 4 created a £52,000 shortfall. To avoid reducing specifications and compromising quality, the trustees applied for a £100,000 loan from The Almshouse Association.

Approval was granted within weeks (December 2024), providing essential assurance and enabling reinstatement of key heritage features — including a prominent four-pot chimney that restores architectural balance to the building.

Resident experience

Between 2021 and 2025, works were ongoing while residents (aged 66–93 at the outset) remained in occupation through managed decants. Despite dust, noise and disruption, not a single resident was lost during the programme. Several moved twice in order to return to improved homes – a testament to their attachment to the almshouses.

Impact of the loan

The Association’s loan:

Prevented specification cuts
Safeguarded heritage features
Removed the need to consider selling a detached block
Enabled completion of works to a consistent standard

Without this support, the trustees may have been forced into asset disposal, fundamentally altering the charity’s long-term sustainability.

Outcome

Completed in October 2025, the scheme now provides high-quality, affordable housing in central Seaford. Recent applications demonstrate strong demand, with new residents drawn from those facing homelessness via the local authority. Vacancy turnaround has averaged just one week.

More than 165 years after its foundation, the Fitzgerald Charity continues to fulfil its benefactor’s vision of providing a humane alternative to the workhouse, now with buildings restored to a standard that will serve future generations.

The £100,000 loan from The Almshouse Association was the critical final piece that ensured this ambitious and carefully executed restoration could be completed without compromise.

The loan from The Almshouse Association was crucial in enabling the Charity to complete the £1.946m restoration of 14 almshouses and continue their provision of affordable housing in the local area for people in housing need.

We 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 2025, £1,198,500 was approved in new loans and grants totalled £50,000. 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 March 2026

Strong foundation, strong future

We were delighted to welcome some familiar faces to The Almshouse Association this month. General Anthony Leask – respected author and former Director of The Almshouse Association – along with Heather Greaves, former Deputy Director.

The were both impressed with the new office and commented on The Association’s momentum in addressing today’s challenges for almshouse charities. CEO Nick Phillips emphasised that our progress is built on the strong foundation created by former leadership and hard work.

A wonderful visit and a valuable reminder of the legacy that shapes our future.

From left: Heather Greaves and General Anthony Leask with Nick Phillips, CEO, Mike Drake, Head of Finance, and Julian Marczack, Head of Member Services

Arthur Norfolk Battersby Trust

Position: Clerk/Treasurer to the Trustees.
Location: Arthur Norfolk Battersby Trust. Old Hall Drive, Offerton, Stockport SK2 5UA
Hours: Part Time, Variable hrs
Salary: £18-£23 per hour to suit a self-employed person. (depending on experience)

About the Charity
Arthur Norfolk Battersby Trust is run by a small board of Trustees who manage a legacy left by Arthur Norfolk Battersby. The aim is to provide independent living for the elderly in 20 bungalows of single/double occupancy

The Role
The present Trustees are looking to appoint a Clerk/Treasurer to provide administrative support to the Chair and Trustees.

Responsibilities would include preparation of agendas, papers for meetings.
Maintain policies, procedures, a risk register.
Review and revise governance document and advising on best practice.
Ensure compliance, Safeguarding, GDPR, data security, retention procedures, risk management.
Liaise with auditors, legal advisers, preparation of accounts for trustees and annual report.
Oversee insurance renewals and claims.
Complete annual returns and filings with Charities Commission.
Manage complaints correspondence and resident communication.
Manage application processes. Manage Almshouse Association engagement.
Manage banking, bookkeeping, cashflow and reserves.
Support independent examination of accounts.
Monitor contributions, arrears, propose annual contribution reviews, also produce annual budgets.
Commission repairs planned maintenance and contractors contracts.
Support Trustees in overseeing major works and compliance surveys and compliance documents are up to date.
Maintain asset registers, property records and up to date resident records.
Manage moving in/out processes.
Liaison with Site warden, receiving reports on welfare, day to day repairs and site issues.
Provide support and act as a point of contact, ensuring warden duties align with governance and compliance standards.

The Applicant should have the ability to work independently, have good communication skills, good standards of confidentiality and integrity.
A professional approachable manner and respect when dealing with older residents.
Experience working with almshouses, charities or similar organisations.

How to Apply
Applicants should submit their CV and a brief outline of their suitability for the post.
Applications should be sent to joycegarside2@gmail.com
Closing date: 13th April 2026
Interviews: w/c 27th April 2026

Policy and Governance update: March 2026

MARCH 2026: A summary of the latest UK Government policy changes and news.

1. New Homelessness Grant

The Government has recently published its new Homelessness Strategy, accompanied by a £50 million investment package to support councils and organisations working to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. The funding is intended to target those people and places facing the greatest pressures.

The investment will be delivered through two principal programmes. Of the total, £37 million has been allocated to the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund. This fund will support projects, staffing and capital improvements aimed at expanding sector capacity, strengthening community networks, and developing long-term, trauma-informed approaches to ending rough sleeping.

Two of the three programme objectives may be of particular relevance to members:

Objective 1: Community-Based Support

This objective focuses on prevention and early intervention. The Government is particularly interested in initiatives that:

Strengthen community-led networks and referral pathways to prevent people from entering or returning to rough sleeping
Facilitate and enhance volunteer-led support offers
Provide early support to prevent individuals reaching crisis point
Deliver single-unit accommodation that meets a clearly defined local need

Objective 3: Recovery

This objective seeks to improve support for individuals once they have moved into settled accommodation, with an emphasis on embedding support within the local community. The Government is looking for proposals that:

Provide long-term support to help sustain tenancies, develop skills, and secure and maintain employment
Deliver mentoring or befriending-style relational support that builds resilience, social networks and a sense of belonging
Establish peer support programmes and activities for individuals transitioning from rough sleeping into accommodation

Eligibility

To apply, organisations must be part of the voluntary, community or faith sector (VCFS), operate in England, and be established for charitable, benevolent or philanthropic purposes.

Eligible organisations include:

Charitable companies limited by guarantee registered with Companies House and the Charity Commission (or exempt charities)
Charitable Incorporated Organisations (CIOs) registered with the Charity Commission

Members who provide small-scale accommodation, volunteer-led support, or community-based tenancy sustainment work may wish to consider whether this fund aligns with their charitable activities and local partnerships.

If helpful, we can provide further information or discuss potential opportunities.

2. Supported Housing Guidance Update

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published statutory guidance for English councils on preparing and delivering local supported housing strategies under the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 which may be of interest to members. The strategy sets out the overarching vision and direction for the Local Supported Housing Strategy undertaken by the various local authorities across the country.

3. Charity Commission Fundraising Guidance Update

Recently, the Charity Commission published a significantly revised version of its guidance on charity fundraising – ‘Charity fundraising: a guide to trustee duties (CC20)’. The Commission has also amended guidance on ‘Charity fundraising appeals for specific purposes’ and ‘Get funding to start a charity’. Members can also refer to the Code of Fundraising Practice for more practical guidance on what is expected of your charity when fundraising.

Charities should:

Bring the new guidance to the attention of the trustees and schedule some time to discuss it at a trustee meeting;
Review their fundraising policies and procedures to consider whether any changes should be made;
Consider whether this might be a good time to do some training for trustees and fundraising staff, in light of this new guidance from the Charity Commission and the new Code of Fundraising Practice published last year.

4. Reminder: National Planning Policy Framework consultation deadline of 10 March 2026.

Our work to secure recognition of almshouses as affordable housing therefore continues. Please see our short video and our campaign here – 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. Thank you to everyone who has already contacted their MP – please do get in touch if you would like support or require follow up material to give to your MP.

Are you, or someone you know in the Netherton area, over 60 and needing low-cost accommodation?

An Almshouse unfurnished bed sit has become available in Netherton which is suitable for a single person/couple (sorry no children). Must be able to live independently.

The properties were left as a gift to the residents of Netherton, South Crosland and Beaumont Park in need of low-cost rental accommodation for people with limited financial means. The total payment is the weekly maintenance contribution, which is £325 each quarter, payable in advance.

Contact details

If you feel you fit the criteria, please contact our Secretary Gillian on 01484 665777 or Chair Martyn on 01484 666325 for more information and an application form.

Applications to be received by Friday 10 April 2026.

The Lanyon Charity – Truro, Cornwall

Accommodation:

The Lanyon Charity are seeking a new resident for one of the almshouses in Halvarras Road, Playing Place, for occupation from the start of April onwards.

Criteria:

Potential residents need to be over 65, in receipt of Local Housing Allowance and live in or near the parish of Kea. They will also need to be single, non-smokers with no pets.

Contact:

For more information and expressions of interest, please contact the charity Clerk at info@lanyoncharity.org.uk

Watkinson’s Almshouses – Lightcliffe, Halifax

Accommodation

One property available – a two bedroom semi-detached bungalow.

Criteria

Available for one or two persons of limited means, either born in or currently resident in the parishes of St Matthew’s (Northowram and Lightcliffe) and St John’s (Coley).

Applicants must be able to live independently.

Almspeople will be required to contribute a weekly sum towards the cost of maintaining the Almshouses of the Charity.

Contact details

For further information and an application form, please contact: jessica.greiff@ramsdens.co.uk / 01484 848987 prior to the 27^th March 2026.

FIRST FLOOR FLAT – LEICESTER- AYLESTONE

Accommodation

Unfurnished one bedroom first floor flat, lounge, kitchen, bathroom with WC
Contribution £434 per calendar month

Criteria

Single lady over 45 years of age ‘in need’ to occupy
Further conditions apply.

Contact details

The Trustees of the ‘George Townsend Charity CRN’ invite applications.
Tel: Sturgis Snow and Astill LLP 0116 2555999.

The Richmond Charities – Full Time Caretaker / Handyman

The Richmond Charities owns and manages 162 almshouses across 14 sites in Richmond, Twickenham and Mortlake and we are currently recruiting for a full-time caretaker / handyman to replace the incumbent who retires after a 30+ year career with the Charity.

This is a varied role, and we are looking for an individual with a proactive approach to property maintenance who will provide a visible hands-on presence across all estates to ensure that our beautiful buildings, communal areas and grounds are safe, clean, well maintained and welcoming for residents and visitors.

The successful applicant will work Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:00pm.

The position can be residential or non-residential.

The salary range is £30,000 – £35,000.If you would like to have an informal chat about the role or obtain a copy of the full job description please contact our Chief Executive, Emma Halford by email at e.halford@richmondcharities.org.uk or by telephone on 020 8948 4188

Trust Chaplain – Ewelme Almshouse Charity, Oxfordshire

Trust Chaplain (8 hrs per week – flexible – stipend)

The Ewelme Almshouse Charity is seeking a part-time Trust Chaplain to provide pastoral care
and spiritual guidance to its residents, and to proffer spiritual counsel to Trustees and staff
across the breadth of the Charity’s operations. We are looking for a people-person, someone
who is compassionate, and attuned to the particular needs of older people. The ability to drive
is essential as we have almshouses in Ewelme, Oxfordshire and Marsh Gibbon, Buckinghamshire.

The successful applicant will:

Be licensed or otherwise authorised within the CofE, or hold an equivalent office and be in good standing within a denomination recognised by Churches Together in England.
Be sensitive to the faith needs of a community, with experience of ministering to a community within or outside the Church of England;
Be mindful of the challenges older people may face;
Through spirituality and prayer promote the caring tradition of the Charity;
Have a clean driving licence, own a car, and be willing to travel between our almshouse locations.

The closing date is: Friday 10th April 2026

For an Information Pack containing further details of the role and how to apply, please contact
the Trust Manager: trustmanager@ewelmealmshouses.org

For further details of Ewelme Almshouse Charity, please visit: www.ewelmealmshouses.org