£870,000 refurbishments to almshouses in Sutton Coldfield completed .
A second phase of work has been completed on Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust’s Almshouses, which have undergone an £870,000 refurbishment to upgrade the residents’ facilities, the Guest Room and the Wardens’ accommodation.
The almshouses are a combination of bungalows and maisonettes located at Lingard House in Walmley, Sutton Coldfield and are typically designed for individuals over 60 years old. Currently, the properties house a total of 52 residents and create a safe and welcoming environment for both single and married couples.
The project has been fully funded by the Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust and has provided the refurbishment of 46 homes in total. During the refurbishments, residents were moved into the vacant estate properties whilst Logmoor, the contractor, undertook work on the kitchens and bathrooms.
Pam Johnston MBE JP, Almshouse Manager at Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust, said: “We are delighted to announce the completion of the second phase of the Almshouse refurbishments and for the residents to be able to settle back into their properties. The Trustees are consistently looking to maintain the Estate to the highest quality and the provision of upgraded kitchens and bathrooms will allow our residents to have a functioning, yet welcoming space to call home. ”
The purpose of The Renters’ (Reform) Bill* that was introduced to Parliament this week, sets out the government’s plans to fundamentally reform the private rented sector, including abolishing section 21 “no fault evictions”.
While of course the devil is always in the detail, on this 1st reading , the Bill is specifically directed at landlords in the private rented sector and is not relevant to almshouses which, of course, operate under charity law.
We will, however, continue to monitor Government Bills such as this whilst maintaining good communication with MPs and Civil Servants and we will, of course, keep you advised of changes that may impact your almshouses.
*Long title “A Bill to make provision changing the law about rented homes, including provision abolishing fixed term assured tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies; imposing obligations on landlords and others in relation to rented homes and temporary and supported accommodation; and for connected purposes.”
Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities
posted 18 May 2023
On occasions the Association is asked by our member almshouse charities to provide letters of support to their local authorities which we are happy to do.
These often entail matters such as requests for funding, planning applications or issues concerning residents’ claims for benefits.
It is often found that councils need to be informed about the unique nature of almshouse charities and the way in which they operate in order that such requests may be fairly considered. To this end a letter from the Association (click here to view ) has proved to be beneficial, so please do not hesitate to contact us should you have need.
We will, of course, be happy to adapt and expand upon the contents of the letter to allow for specific circumstances.
posted 18 May 2023
Kiran Sajan, reporter for the Andover Advertiser recently wrote an article on the renovations taking place at Andover Acre Almshouses.
ALMSHOUSES in Andover are undergoing renovations nearly three years after the last resident departed.
The Acre Almshouses in Adelaide Road are being brought up to the standard which is suitable for people to live in after plans to replace the building with a flat complex were rejected.
In 2012, Andover Charity Trustees, which operates the almshouses, had proposed plans to demolish the current four-home building and replace it with a new complex that would treble the number of available flats.
But these plans were scrapped in 2019 when Test Valley Borough Council rejected the application, despite the site being in very poor condition.
Now, the Andover Charity Trustees has begun the renovation of the Victorian-times building, which has “consistently been a very damp property”.
Andover Charity Trustees chairman Cllr Nick Lodge said the building is very old and the building fell into such disrepair that the charity could no longer allow people to live there.
“It took a lot of work to establish the things that needed to be done. It’s a very substantial renovation for the building. And then we had trouble finding builders during the pandemic. So it’s been a long time, but work has begun now. DH Property is doing the work for us and it will be a complete refurbishment. Even the walls, the ceilings and the floors are going to be restructured inside and we’re aiming to have it finished by about July. The four flats, which would suit one or two persons, will be ready by then and we’ll be letting them as almshouses as soon as we possibly can.”
The councillor said the charity had to wait until the last person had left to begin the renovations. But during the pandemic years, the trust found it hard to get builders.
“It was a much longer period than we’d really expected but we’re pleased to be doing the work now. By about July we hope to be advertising for new residents.”
Andover Charity Trustees is an independent charity that has 19 almshouses in Andover.
Besides the four in Adelaide Road, the charity has another 14 almshouses in Borsberry Close.
SEE ALSO: Andover History: Almshouses on the Acre
24th March 2023, Andover Advertiser
Question time in Parliament is bringing to the fore the increased government focus on the Social Housing, Affordable Housing and Private Rented Sector.
MPs are seeing a rise in complaints from tenants about housing conditions that they must act on (see recent example of a Q&A at the end of this article). Almshouse charities could find themselves in the position of receiving a letter of complaint from their local MP on behalf of a resident, to which they must respond.
We are in no doubt that members will always respond in their usual positive and courteous way, however, we have been asked to give a quick bullet point check list that some may find useful.
If you receive a letter from your MP acting on behalf of a complainant:
Respond quickly – a speedy response often takes the frustration out of a situation and allows the MP to see that you are treating it as a priority.
If you need time – respond positively but say you will investigate thoroughly and respond by …………. Give a date you are confident you can meet.
Investigate the complaint or ask further questions of the MP.
Once investigated, if the complaint is already resolved, check with all parties concerned and be brief but clear in your response, thanking the MP for their interest.
If the complaint is fair and as yet unaddressed, try to resolve the situation, then, once you have done so, inform the MP that it is either being resolved or has been. Giving a brief outline of the situation if needed.
Remember, when you receive a letter from an MP, they are doing their job, taking up cases on behalf of their constituency and they may not be aware of the detail or fully understand the situation relating to almshouses. Your response may reassure and impress them and this may actually be a good opportunity to engage with your MP. In the moment, it does not feel like a positive situation but inviting the MP to the almshouse to meet you and meet your residents may have a beneficial long term outcome.
If you are concerned – if the complaint is genuine and you don’t have an answer – please call us and we will work with you on a solution.
Business Questions: Social Housing Providers Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD): Many of my constituents have written to me with concerns about unsuitable living conditions in properties owned and run by Sanctuary. My casework team has written to Sanctuary many times and I wrote to the chief executive six weeks ago, but there has been no response. I know that many other MPs and councils have raised concerns about the unresponsiveness of that organisation. Can we have a debate about the responsiveness of social housing providers, who do, after all, provide a very important public service?Penny Mordaunt : I thank the hon. Lady for her remarks. The moral of the story is that when the chief execs of such social housing providers receive letters from Members of Parliament, they would do well to reply to them in good time, otherwise Members of Parliament will come to the Floor of the House and name the social housing provider, and the Leader of the House of Commons will be forced to write to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to make sure that they have heard Members’ concerns. I wish the hon. Lady well and we stand ready to assist her in getting the matter resolved for her constituents.
posted 15 May 2023
We have some wonderful photos coming in from our members of their Coronation celebrations!
Above and below, residents, trustees, family and guests were joined by the Mayor of Newbury, Councillor Gary Norman as well as the Garston Gallopers Morris Dancers at Donnington Hospital Trust’s Coronation Tea.
At Winnocks and Kendalls Almshouse Charity , the Coronation was celebrated with a lunch for residents.
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At Thomas Watson Cottage Homes in Barnet, Hertfordshire they marked the occasion with a Coronation tea and the planting of two trees by Mrs. Jenny Harrold, Chairman of Trustees, and Mrs Yvonne Kelly, one of the almshouse’s longest-serving residents.
And residents and staff of Wyggestons and Trinity Almshouses Charity celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III with a day of events at Lancaster House, Leicester.
The charity provided a hog roast to over 100 residents of the almshouses and care home along with specially commissioned cupcakes and refreshments.
Despite the poor weather the residents enjoyed the music from a local jazz band and watched the Coronation in the new Lancaster House facilities including in the impressive Duchy Lounge, named to honour the Charity’s unique relationship with the Crown through the Duchy of Lancaster.
We look forward to receiving more of your stories and photos !
The Almshouse Association sends the warmest of wishes to His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort on their Coronation this weekend.
We hope you all enjoy the bank holiday weekend and we look forward to seeing all the photos of your own celebrations!
Our office will be closed on Monday 8th May 2023 and will reopen at 9am on Tuesday 9th May.
Have a fun-filled weekend!
Click here to find out how you can get involved
posted 4 May 2023
Webinar: Risk Assessments Date: Thursday 18 May 2023, 10am Host: John Lewis – Integral Safety Ltd Duration: 1 hour
The Almshouse Association is delighted to welcome John Lewis, Managing Director of Integral Safety Ltd and Almshouse Association Panel Consultant to host a webinar on the subject of Risk Assessments .
15 years’ experience working with social housing and almshouse charities, John set up Integral Safety Ltd three years ago to specialise in auditing, training, policy and document creation and review. In this webinar, John will discuss why risk assessments are important, how to complete a risk assessment and provide further information a charity will need to be compliant in this area. There will be an opportunity at the end of the webinar to ask any questions.
To register for this webinar please click below :
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After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The webinar recording and slides will be available here after the event.
Webinar: Risk Assessments Date: Thursday 18 May 2023, 10am Host: John Lewis – Integral Safety Ltd Duration: 1 hour
The Almshouse Association is delighted to welcome John Lewis, Managing Director of Integral Safety Ltd and Almshouse Association Panel Consultant to host a webinar on the subject of Risk Assessments .
John set up Integral Safety Ltd three years ago to specialise in auditing, training, policy and document creation and review and has 15 years’ experience working with social housing and almshouse charities.
In this webinar, John will discuss why risk assessments are important, how to complete a risk assessment and provide further information a charity will need to be compliant in this area. There will be an opportunity at the end of the webinar to ask any questions.
To register for this webinar please click below :
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After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
The webinar recording and slides will be available here after the event.
posted 27 April 2023
People all across the country and the Commonwealth are invited to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort over a weekend of special events on 6–8 May The Almshouse Association has enjoyed a long and proud connection with King Charles who, as the former HRH The Prince of Wales, became the Royal Patron of the Association in 2000 and introduced the highly acclaimed Patron’s Award which encourages and celebrates architectural excellence in the almshouse model.
On the website for the Coronation of His Majesty The King & Her Majesty The Queen Consort , many ideas have been suggested so that we can all join in the celebrations. Take a look at the website via the link above or via the links below:
There are lots of ways to get involved ..Coronation Big Lunches
The Coronation Big Lunch (6-8 May) brings neighbours and communities together to share friendship, food and fun. Be part of history by joining millions across the UK with a Coronation Big Lunch celebration in your community.
Sign up to receive your Coronation Big Lunch pack for all you need to get started with ideas, top tips, practical advice and loads more.
Order a Coronation Big Lunch pack
Coronation Concert
Taking place in the grounds of Windsor Castle, the Coronation Concert (Sunday 7 May) will bring together music icons, contemporary stars, a world-class orchestra and art performances.Find out more about the Coronation Concert
The Big Help Out
From rolling up your sleeves to help a local group, to supporting some of the UK’s best-known national charities, the Big Help Out on Monday 8 May will give everyone an opportunity to join in.
Hundreds of activities are planned for the day by local community groups, organisations and charities including The Scouts, Royal Voluntary Service, National Trust and RNLI.
Run a charity and want to get involved? Find out more and join a range of national and local charities already signed up .
Find out more at the Big Help Out website
Coronation Creative Challenge
From making your own street party bunting to designing a royal invitation or creating a recipe fit for a King, get creative with Angellica Bell in our #CoronationCreativeChallenge .
How to enter
Coronation Toolkit
The government have put together a range of useful templates and materials to help you with your Coronation celebrations, including homemade bunting ideas, recipe cards, kids’ activity sheets, a party playlist and the official Coronation emblem.Explore the Coronation Toolkit
To find out more, please click the links below:
Please send in your photos and stories on how you celebrated the Coronation; you may have a story about when you met His Majesty The King. The Association will be very happy to post up your story on our website for everyone to enjoy.