Vacancy: Charity Support Officer – The Almshouse Association, Windsor

Role Title: Charity Support Officer, Member Services
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: £31,000 p.a. (depending on experience)
Hours: 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday
Location: Windsor

28 days holiday, plus bank holidays | Contributory Pension Plan | Life Assurance cover

Open to internal and external candidates. 

For over 1,000 years almshouse charities have been providing a unique form of safe, secure, warm homes for people in need. Far from being a relic of the past, however, the almshouse movement remains vibrant and The Almshouse Association, which was established in 1946, continues to be the sole support organisation for over 1,600 member almshouse charities throughout the UK, which, collectively, provide accommodation for approximately 36,000 residents.

At the heart of the Association, which is a charity in its own right, our member services team provides an advocacy service to the trustees and clerks of our members both by telephone and email. This is in addition to the guidance we offer through our guidance manuals and website.

An opportunity has now arisen for an additional member of staff to join the team to provide specific support to our members, including those who are facing specific challenges. The role requires an individual who is committed to providing an excellent standard of ‘customer’ service based on professionalism, accuracy and promptness in response.

The post involves the following:

  • Responding to member enquiries by phone or email and recording all support given on our CRM.
  • Working with specific member charities to complete a Charity Health Check form that covers all aspects of managing their almshouses, ranging from governance issues, health & safety, the properties, residents etc.
  • Supporting charities in difficulty, especially those charities most in need, whilst maintaining communication at all times with our Head of Member Services and the wider team.
  • Helping identify those charities where direct support is required.
  • Helping establish a web- based service for responding to accommodation enquiries.
  • Monitoring the Members Forum and alerting the team to issues where an Association response is required.
  • Coordinating our Panel of Consultants, checking their credentials and maintaining relationships.
  • Providing administration support and assisting with arrangements for events including our training course for trustees, seminars for trustees and clerks, and our Members Day.
    The nature of the role is such that the individual may be asked to undertake additional or alternative tasks and duties as the needs of the Association dictate.

Full training will be given but an understanding of almshouses and almshouse management, whilst not essential, would be an advantage.

NOTE: The role may involve extensive travel to the Association’s member charities across the UK. Therefore, the successful applicant will need to be a car owner and possess a clean driving licence. Expenses will be paid. On occasions overnight stays may be necessary.

Requirements

  1. Knowledge of Outlook, Word and Excel is essential.
  2. Knowledge of Subscriber CRM would be preferable.
  3. Knowledge of PowerPoint preferable.
  4. Experience in managing events/projects preferable.

How to apply

Please send your CV and a covering letter to angelawaters@almshouses.org. Closing date for applications is 31 March 2026.

posted 23 February 2026

Updated FAQ: Heat Networks

The Heat Networks (Market Framework) Regulations 2025

We would like to draw members’ attention to a new guidance page on The Almshouse Association website regarding the Heat Networks (Market Framework) Regulations 2025.

These regulations introduce a new regulatory framework for heat networks, with implications for organisations that own or operate communal or district heating systems. The page outlines the key points of the legislation, what it may mean for almshouse charities, and links to further resources.

We encourage members to review the information and consider how the changes may affect their schemes.

You can read the full update that is listed in our FAQs page by clicking in the link below:

If you have any questions or would like to share feedback, please do get in touch.

See also: Heat Networks – Are you prepared? – Free webinar – 26 Feb 2026|

posted 23 February 2026

Housing & Estates Manager

Salary: £35,000–£40,000 (dependent on experience)

Full-time: 37.5 hours per week

Location: Bournemouth

Founded in 1935, our charity supports 75 self‑contained homes set within attractive grounds, with a strong focus on resident wellbeing, independence, and belonging. We are governed by local volunteer Trustees and supported day‑to‑day by a small, committed staff team. That’s where you come in…

We are seeking a Housing & Estates Manager to lead the operational management of our estate, ensuring residents live in safe, secure and well‑maintained homes. This is a newly created role that reflects the evolving needs of our charity and offers a rare opportunity to shape how our housing, compliance, and estate functions operate.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will manage all aspects of housing operations, health & safety compliance, lettings, property and estate services, facilities, and office administration. You will also play an important role in resident support—working closely with our Community Assistant to deliver a warm, responsive and professional service.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with strong housing, compliance or estates experience who wants to take a step up into a broad management role within a small, values‑driven charity.

About the role

As our Housing & Estates Manager, you will:

  • Oversee day‑to‑day housing management across 75 almshouse homes.
  • Manage voids, resident onboarding and property standards across the estate.
  • Lead on all statutory and regulatory health & safety compliance, including fire safety, risk assessments, legionella, electrical/gas safety, repairs reporting and contractor oversight.
  • Liaise with outsourced contractors for maintenance, grounds, cleaning and compliance work.
  • Support residents through clear communication, problem‑solving, and timely issue resolution.
  • Manage Hall facilities, office operations and administrative processes that keep the charity running smoothly.
  • Maintain accurate records, data and documentation that support governance, audits and Trustee reporting.
  • Uphold our commitment to safeguarding, dignity, independence and resident wellbeing.

About you

We are looking for someone who is:

  • Experienced in housing, estates, facilities or compliance management within a residential or housing environment.
  • Confident managing health & safety responsibilities and contracted works.
  • A strong organiser, able to juggle competing priorities in a small team.
  • An excellent communicator who builds trust with older residents, contractors, colleagues and Trustees.
  • Calm, practical and solutions‑focused.
  • Able to work independently with good judgement and attention to detail.
  • Competent with Microsoft Office and confident maintaining accurate records.
  • Motivated by the values of an almshouse charity and the difference we make to older people’s lives.

Salary & benefits

  • £35,000–£40,000 per annum (dependent on qualifications and experience) 
  • Private healthcare
  • Free life assurance
  • 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (based on 37.5 hours per week)
  • Auto-enrolled workplace pension scheme
  • Annual pay review
  • Free Eventide Homes branded clothing
  • A welcoming, supportive and community‑focused working environment

How to apply

To apply, please return your completed application form back to us before the closing date.

For more information about the role, or an informal conversation, please contact:  Joe Waters – Charity CEO. Telephone: 01202 515399 

Closing date: 12 March 2025.

1st stage interviews: 19 March 2025.

2nd stage interviews: 26 March 2025.

Nautilus Welfare Fund – Wallasey, Merseyside

Accommodation:

Apartments, flats and bungalows

Criteria:

Applications for accommodation at Mariners’ Park will be considered from retired, ex seafarers and other (former) maritime professionals and their dependants/partners who are aged 55 and over with service in the maritime industry.

Contact Details:

www.nautiluswelfarefund.org

Association loan supports vital roof restoration at Watkinson Almshouses

Case Study: Watkinson Almshouses roof restoration

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.

The Watkinson Almshouses in West Yorkshire recently benefited from this support, receiving a £25,000 loan to help fund the re-roofing of their four almshouse bungalows – essential works that would not have been possible without external assistance.

Historical Background

The four almshouses were built and endowed in the early 20th century by Emma Watkinson (1850–1923). Emma established the almshouses in memory of her parents, George and Jane Watkinson.

George Watkinson and his family were wool staplers, playing a key role in the regional textile economy by collecting and sorting fleeces and supplying raw materials to worsted manufacturers, carpet weavers, and knitting wool producers. Jane’s family were maltsters, supplying malt to local brewers. Together, the Watkinson family were part of the industrial success that shaped their community in the 19th century.

Despite the wealth generated in the region, Emma recognised that many hardworking individuals struggled to provide for themselves in old age. In response, she founded the almshouses to offer free accommodation, equipped with the modern conveniences of the time, for:

  • Former employees of the Watkinson family
  • Their descendants
  • Others from the local parish in need

Financial evolution and challenges

In the early 20th century, the almshouses were generously endowed. Each resident even received an annual allowance of £4.20 to assist with nursing costs – a significant sum at the time (equivalent to approximately £500 today, given that £1 from that era equates to roughly £120 today).

However, as decades passed:

  • Maintenance costs increased
  • Building standards evolved
  • The value of the original endowment diminished

Eventually, the endowment was exhausted. To ensure long-term sustainability, the Trust deed was amended to allow residents to make modest contributions toward maintenance costs.

Throughout this period, the Watkinson family has continued to oversee and care for the almshouses, maintaining Emma’s founding principles of community support and dignity in later life.

The Challenge: Essential roof replacement

By 2025, the roofs of all four bungalows required urgent replacement.

The scale and cost of the works placed significant strain on the Charity’s limited reserves. Without intervention, the condition of the buildings and the comfort and safety of residents would have been at risk.

The Solution: Almshouse Association loan support

The Almshouse Association stepped in with a £25,000 loan, enabling the Charity to proceed with the full re-roofing project.

This funding:

  • Protected the structural integrity of all four properties
  • Safeguarded residents from water ingress and future deterioration
  • Preserved the long-term viability of the almshouses
  • Ensured continued provision of quality homes for current and future beneficiaries

Impact

Thanks to The Almshouse Association’s support:

  • The four almshouses now have secure, weatherproof roofs
  • Residents continue to live in safe and comfortable homes
  • Emma Watkinson’s original charitable vision remains alive more than a century later

This case demonstrates how targeted financial support from the Association enables small almshouse charities to address critical capital works, sustain historic housing, and continue serving vulnerable members of their communities.

Conclusion

The Watkinson Almshouses are a powerful example of enduring philanthropy. While the financial landscape has changed dramatically since the early 1900s, the underlying need for secure, affordable housing remains constant.

Through partnership with The Almshouse Association, Emma Watkinson’s legacy continues, ensuring that those she intended to help still have a safe place to call home, over 100 years on.

The loan from The Almshouse Association was crucial in enabling the Charity to restore the roofs of their 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 February 2026

Kytson Cottages almshouses: Thermal upgrade project

CASE STUDY: The Charity of Sir Thomas and Lady Kytson

If a charity does not have sufficient funds to carry out necessary works to their almshouses or support their plan to provide more almshouses for people in need in their area, part of the service The Almshouse Association offers its member charities is financial help in the form of grants and loans.

The Almshouse Association provided the Charity of Sir Thomas and Lady Kytson in Suffolk with a £25,000 grant and £29,000 loan to support the thermal upgrade and general renovation of their three almshouses covering external doors, chimneys/fireplaces, roof void insulation, lime rendering walls, timber frame repairs, electrics, plumbing and thatching.

The Charity writes:

“Twenty years ago the Guildhall Feoffment took over administration of three charming, thatched cottages which formed part of the Tudor estate of Hengrave Hall and had been dedicated as almshouses some time probably in the 19th century.

Our Kytson Cottages, each around 350 years old, combine historic charm with the welcome and security of traditional almshouses. A recent programme of sensitive renovation has ensured that the cottages remain not only beautiful, but warm, healthy and fit for the future.

The work at Kytson Cottages has achieved our goals of careful conservation, use of traditional skills and modern technology, and will now secure the future of our historic homes for generations to come.“

Background

Kytson Cottages relied on electric storage heaters supplemented by open fires. With thin doors, no wall insulation and one chimney in poor condition (leading to two condemned fireplaces), residents regularly reported being cold in winter despite high energy bills.

Scope of Works

The Property Committee commissioned a survey to identify ways to improve thermal efficiency and provide warmer, more comfortable homes. Carter Jonas recommended:

  • Doors: Replacement with insulated, better-fitting doors
  • Wall Insulation: Installation of insulation panels
  • Fireplaces: Renovation and installation of stoves, including chimney adjustments
  • Exterior: Removal of concrete render, application of lime render and pargetting
  • Electrical: Installation of high-heat-retention (HHR) radiators and optical smoke/CO₂ detectors
  • Plumbing: Removal of cold-water tanks and installation of pressurised cylinders
  • Thatch: Ridge renewal planned in ~3 years

The Committee prioritised urgent works first, deferring the thatch and plumbing works for a later date. EPC modelling shows the cottages achieving a “C” rating once all the radiators are upgraded.

Listed building consent

Thurlow Architects submitted a Listed Building application, which was granted on 8 May 2025, with conditions relating to the fireplaces and pargetting.

Project approach and costs

To maximise value, individual contractors were engaged rather than adopting a turnkey solution, with Guildhall Feoffment coordinating logistics, site facilities, and health & safety. Feoffee and builder, Graham Mothersole was an invaluable source of expertise and information, providing essential guidance and contacts.

Where possible the Charity specified sustainable and natural building materials and invested in local craftspeople to provide bespoke fittings and finishes, which have preserved and enhanced the integrity of the buildings in their prominent village setting.

Estimated cost: £120,000 (or £100,000 excluding the plumbing and thatching). Pellet stoves were chosen over wood-burning stoves for safety, sustainability, and convenience.

Funding

As at 31 December 2024, Kytson Trust had available funds of circa. £70,000 (£53,000 investments, £16,000 cash) and with annual outgoings of around £15,000, this left a funding shortfall of £55,000.

Funding solutions:

  • Grant of £25,000 from The Almshouse Association
  • Interest-free loan of £29,000 from The Almshouse Association
  • £40,000 of Kytson Trust investments realised

Completed works (by end of 2025)

  • Electrical: All the internal works including new radiators, optical heat, smoke and CO₂ detectors (fully certified)
  • Plastering & Insulation: Concrete render removed; lambswool and Hereklith insulation installed; lime render and pargetting completed with Heritage Officer approval
  • Doors: Seven new insulated doors installed
  • Fireplaces: Wood pellet stoves installed, fireplaces renovated and new hearths added.

The final cost slightly exceeded estimates by £4,000, largely due to heritage-related plastering requirements and additional insulation. Savings were made with the hearths which were donated by Mothersole Buildings and Opulence Stoves agreed to ‘donate’ the additional work required in reinstating the fireplaces.

Future work & funding

Kytson Trust reserves will be around £30,000 – 40,000 post-project. Further works (thatch and plumbing) will require rebuilding reserves through WMC increases and/or fundraising. The Almshouse Association recommended reviewing WMC levels in 2026, based on Valuation Office guidance.

Residents’ feedback

Residents are delighted with their warm, comfortable homes and take pride in the improved appearance of the cottages.

The grant and loan from The Almshouse Association was crucial in enabling the Charity to make essential repairs and improvements to ensure they continue to provide 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 February 2026

Housing Ombudsman update 12 Feb 2026

FAO: Registered Providers and those that have registered with the Housing Ombudsman voluntarily to assist with the completion of annual submissions.

Please see below update from the Housing Ombudsman

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Housing Ombudsman Service
Welcome to your monthly update from the Housing Ombudsman, featuring the latest news and insights on complaint handling. You can now book your place at the March 2026 landlord forums!
New streamlined investigation process for low-risk cases

From March 2026, we are trialling a new approach for simple, lower-risk complaint cases. We will review cases in advance to check if we have enough evidence to investigate, or if we need a small amount of additional information from you.

Benefits of this approach:

– faster resolution for residents and landlords clearer
– more targeted evidence requests
– full decision reports continue as normal
– less paperwork for you

If we need specific evidence, we will make this clear in our request. You will have the opportunity to submit any additional critical evidence relevant to your complaint.

We will review the trial in May or June 2025. If you have questions about this change, please raise them at our March landlord forums.

Read more about our investigation process   a graphic of a row of houses
New resources
Updated information
How we assess and prioritise complaints

We have updated this webpage to explain what happens when we receive a complaint. We assess each case to understand the risk to a resident and others in the home, and decide what action to take.

Read how we assess cases

New guidance
Compensation
We have released new compensation guidance alongside our severe maladministration report. Created with input from landlords and residents, it sets out clear, fair principles to encourage greater consistency across the sector. This guidance takes effect from 1 April 2026.

Read the compensation guidance
Celebrating good practice
Housing 21 – Learning from complaints webinar
In this webinar, Housing 21 share how they learn from residents’ complaints, took steps to reduce their maladministration rate, and improved their approach to complaint handling.

Book your place on the webinar

Magenta Living – Learning from complaints webinar
In our Annual Complaints Review 2024-25, Magenta Living achieved a 44% reduction in maladministration findings. Magenta Living will share how they used learning from complaints to drive this improvement. There will be time for questions at the end.

Book your place on the webinar
Get involved
Landlord forums are back in March 2026
Register now for the opportunity to hear the latest updates from the Housing Ombudsman, ask any pressing questions, and interact directly with us to shape our service. You will also be invited to join Landlord Connect, a new digital community for landlord forum delegates. 

– Landlords with over 1,000 homes, Wednesday 4 March 2026, 11am to 12.30pm
– Local authority landlords, Wednesday 18 March 2026, 11am to 2.30pm
– Landlords with under 1,000 homes, Wednesday 25 March 2026, 2pm to 3.30pm  

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Stay compliant with complaints
Awaab’s Law – New podcast
In this episode, we cover what triggers the law, the role of the Housing Ombudsman Service, how we decide if a complaint falls under us, and what orders and recommendations we may make. We also explain how the law links to wider repairs and maintenance.

Listen to the podcast

STAIRS consultation – Have your say
We have opened a consultation on how we will handle complaints under the Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements (STAIRS). This will shape how we work with Private Registered Providers on these complaints. We want to hear from landlords, tenants, and anyone interested in social housing in England. 

Take part in the consultation
Pass it on
Let residents know about our online webform To make things quicker, we are asking residents to use our online complaint form to bring a complaint to us. We will no longer accept new cases by email.

If residents cannot use the form, they can call us on 0300 111 3000 and our team will support them. Please signpost residents to the online form first, as this helps us capture all the information we need.

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Centre for Learning
New microlearning: Safeguarding
Discover the key components of safeguarding in social housing. This short course takes around 10 minutes to complete. It is part of the additional resources under our Attitudes, Respect and Rights programme.

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Virtual workshops: repairs and maintenance
Join our CPD certified virtual workshop on the Spotlight report on repairs and maintenance. We’ll discuss the implementations of the recommendations from the report and explore case studies.
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About the Housing Ombudsman Service
We are a free and impartial dispute resolution service. We investigate complaints from residents and leaseholders of member landlords (housing associations and local authorities) and voluntary members (private landlords and letting agents). Our vision is to improve residents’ lives and landlords’ services through housing complaints.

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posted by 16 February 2026

Almshouse Warden – Barton & Royle Homes Turvey, Bedfordshire

Registered charity number 200097

15 hrs per week – Salary in the range of £15 – £18 per hour (depending on experience)

Due to the retirement of our current Warden, Barton & Royle Homes are seeking a part-time Warden to support the residents living in our lovely semi-rural community of 26 properties in Station Road, Turvey. The role is centred around enabling older people to live as independently as possible while enjoying their lives to the full.

We are looking for someone who enjoys working with people and is compassionate, self-motivated, flexible and attuned to the needs of older people.

If you would like an informal chat about the role please contact the Clerk, Sue Newman on 07354 691552.

Contact:

For an information pack containing further details of the role and how to apply, please contact Sue on sue2109newman@gmail.com

The closing date for application is 16th March 2026, and it is anticipated that interviews will take place in the week beginning 23rd March 2026.