Christmas Fund now open !
Christmas is once again almost upon us and we are very happy to be able to announce that requests for Christmas vouchers for almshouse residents are now being taken.
As many of you are aware, every year at the bequest of a late benefactor, The Almshouse Association is able to offer Christmas vouchers to almshouse residents of member charities who are (or will be) 90 years old or older on the 25th December 2021.
Member charities will need to apply for Christmas vouchers by completing and sending in our Christmas Fund application form .
Please be aware that the closing date for applications is 12th November 2021 and because the fund is limited, vouchers will be issued on a first come, first served basis*.
*We politely request that if your charity is able to afford a small gift to your residents that you do not apply .
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 our founding General Secretary, Leonard Hackett. It was important to Major Allnatt that his gift remained a secret until his death, many years ago now, but his legacy lives on in the form of a gift to every almshouse resident over 90 every Christmas .
Posted 20th October 2021
(Above photo: Member Services Officer Susan Brooks Christmas 2020 posting Christmas gifts)
The Almshouse Association Statement on Rising Energy Costs Members of The Almshouse Association have been in touch to ask what support might be in place for charities who are facing significant increases in the cost of energy. Many are concerned about the impact this may have on WMCs and how this may affect residents.
Unfortunately, almshouses, and charities generally, do not benefit from any special rates when it comes to energy. We would normally advise members to switch providers for a cheaper deal, but currently it is extremely unlikely that switching would achieve a lower tariff.
The appropriate time to review costs is at your annual WMC uplift date.
The Association would currently advise that members evaluate the financial position, the current WMC and their residents’ ability to pay without hardship. This should help you decide. The guidance from various sources is that costs will remain high and may climb higher.
What are our options to balance the books?
These might include adjusting WMCs if there is capacity to do so without causing financial hardship, or potentially exploring using charity funds to subsidise the increase in the short term. Trustees should decide what is the most appropriate solution for their individual circumstances. It would be advisable to discuss your circumstances with your energy provider to see whether additional support may be available to the charity or residents.
The Association is looking to work with the Government to call for charities to receive safeguards from future price fluctuations.
Posted 18 October 21
The Almshouse Association regularly posts a news summary of the latest Policy and Governance legislation that could impact / requires action from our member charities, with links to further information where applicable. Please find below our latest summary :
Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
The Almshouse Association has advised its members to follow this guidance throughout the pandemic when considering Setting Aside an appointment. Members in England can now return to pre-pandemic procedures.
Charity Commission
Charity Fraud Awareness Week 2021 – The Charity Commission has announced that Charity Fraud Awareness Week 2021 will take place the week commencing 18 October 2021. The purpose of the week is to raise awareness of fraud and cybercrime affecting the sector and to create a safe space for charities and their supporters to talk about fraud and share good practice. Wales
Six-month notice periods extended until end of 2021 – The Welsh government has announced that six-month notice periods will remain in place until at least the end of December as part of COVID-related protections.here .Previous Policy and Governance updates: Policy & Governance: 31.08.21 update | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance update: 16.08.21 | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance: 02.08.21 update – 2 August 2021 Summary Policy & Governance update – 19 July 21 Summary Policy & Governance update: 5 July 21 Policy and Governance update – June 2021 Summary Policy and Governance update – May 2021 Summary Policy and Governance update – April 2021 Summary Policy and Governance update – March 2021 Summary Policy & Governance update – February 2021 Summary Policy and Governance update – January 2021 Summary Policy & Governance update – December 2020 Summary Policy and Governance – October 2020 Summary Policy and Governance – September 2020 Summary Policy and Governance – July/August 2020 Summary Policy and Governance – June 2020 Summary Policy and Governance – May 2020 Summary Policy and Governance – Apr 2020 Summary Policy and Governance – Mar 2020 Summary Policy and Governance – Feb 2020 Summary Policy and Governance –Jan 2020 Summary
Posted 15 October 21
The Sir Josiah Mason Trust sent us in some absolutely fabulous photographs of the parties they held as part of the Association 75th anniversary year.
Residents at Mason Cottages Over a two week period, they invited residents from their three main sites, Mason Cottages, Mason House and Mason Court to join in the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of The Almshouse Association.
Residents and staff were all treated to a delicious afternoon tea and live entertainment.
Residents listening to Ruby Ann Sing at Mason House 2021 Chief Executive David Healey Mason House residents 2021 Residents at Mason Court being served by the Housing Manager Debbie Westwood. In the background David Healey and Akram Shan the Wellbeing Support officer 2021 Chief Executive of the Trust, David Healey (seen above) said
“This was a much needed an long overdue opportunity for residents across our 3 main sites to come together with each other and staff and enjoy afternoon Tea and Live entertainment.”
Thank you to everyone at Sir Josiah Mason Trust almshouses for joining in our celebrations and for sending in these fabulous photos. It looks like you all had a really great time!
More photos can be viewed on the charity’s website here
[top photo: Sir Josiah Mason Trust – Residents dancing at Mason Cottages 2021]
2021 ALMSHOUSE ASSOCIATION AWARDS ARE NOW OPEN FOR ENTRIES! We are delighted to announce the opening of our 2021 Almshouse Association Awards!
* Has your charity completed a major refurbishment or new build project during 2021? *
If so, we want to hear from you and are very pleased to invite entries for…..
Please click here for details of our submission format, tips and design guidance, Patron’s Award design brief and information about previous award recipients.
Please send your submissions to admin@almshouses.org
The deadline for entries is Friday 14th January 2022
Inside Housing has recently published an indepth article on almshouses and how we are experiencing a groundswell of interest in almshouse development .
Almshouse Association CEO Nick Phillips was interviewed for the piece together with a number of other leading figures in the almshouse and building sectors, including Dr Alison Pooley and Anne Taylor, chief executive of Thorngate Churcher Trust.
“Almshouses: a few, often centuries-old homes dotted around the country. Blink and you might miss them. Or will you? The numbers may be small: 30,000 almshouses across England and Wales provide low-cost housing for around 36,000 people who are mainly, but not exclusively, older. Yet in recent years, these charity-owned homes, the oldest dating from the 10th century, have been steadily growing in number .Records are patchy, says Nick Phillips, chief executive of umbrella organisation The Almshouse Association, but he estimates that almshouse charities are today building between 700 and 800 new homes a year, up from just a few hundred annually 20 years ago. He wants to sustain that momentum. “We would like to support almshouses to build another 5,000 between now and 2030,” he says. So what is behind the trend, how are today’s new almshouses taking shape – and being paid for – and are they offering something that other affordable housing providers do not?” INSIGHT 13.10.21 BY CAROLINE THORPE
To read the article in full, please click here please click here
Posted 13 October 21
On Saturday 11th September celebrated 150 years of the Walpole Almshouses in Freethorpe and 75 years of the formation of The Almshouse Association.
Chair of the Trustees, Tony Tibbenham contacted us about their day and sent us in some photos of their special celebration commenting,
“The weather was lovely and sunny and we all had a most enjoyable afternoon. Former trustees were invited as special guests and Revd Greenland carried out a rededication of the plaque which takes pride of place on the front wall of the almshouses.”
“Residents, trustees and guests enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea and a special celebration cake.”
Thank you for sharing your day with us Tony!
Mind the Gap! The Almshouse Association joins Hornby in supporting World Mental Health Day on the 10th October 2021
The Almshouse Association has a special collaboration with Hornby. The launch of their new Almshouse Model, earlier in 2021, really highlights the increased awareness that no village, town or city landscape is complete without at almshouse! However small!
Hornby will be hosting a virtual event to raise awareness of mental health and the positive impact that hobbies have on supporting mental health. Click here to find out how you can get involved .
The Almshouse Association is delighted to be involved in this event. Our CEO, Nick Phillips, has recorded a short message highlighting the community spirit of almshouses and how they bring residents together to enjoy group activities that alleviate isolation and encourage hobbies that support mental health.
Click in the link below to view.
VIDEO
If you would like to share a story about your special hobby or have your own modelling set, please let us know! Send us your photos and a paragraph or two about the positive impact of your hobby and we will share it on our website and social media channels over the coming few weeks to encourage others to join in and start a hobby and reap the benefits.
We look forward to hearing from you!
At The Almshouse Association’s 75th Anniversary Garden Party, held on 8th September 2021 at Bucklebury House in Berkshire, our Chair, Elizabeth Fathi was honoured to be able to introduce a very special video message from HRH The Prince of Wales, who has been the Royal Patron of The Almshouse Association since 1992 and instigated the annual Patron’s Award to recognise outstanding almshouse projects in 2000.
” Ladies and Gentlemen, the 75th anniversary of The Almshouse Association is a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate the achievements of all the member charities and the work of the Association over the decades. For this reason, I am only so very sorry I am unable to join you in person during your celebrations, but I will be thinking of you and raising a toast to you all!
Now, as Patron of The Almshouse Association since 1992, I know from my many visits to almshouses that your work in managing these extraordinary homes is of such great value, not only to the residents, but also the local community and to the wider society…”
Please click here to watch the video of HRH The Prince of Wales.
Posted 29 September 2021
Our seventieth Annual General Meeting took place virtually on 29 September 2021 at 10am .
Main Business of seventieth AGM:
Address by the Chair of The Almshouse Association, Elizabeth Fathi Approval of minutes of sixty ninth AGM held on 1st September 2020 via webinar. Election of Board Members was voted on by members and the following trustees were re-elected/elected:Meryl Aldridge Paul Mullis Tricia Scouller Adam Sedgwick Richard Waite Clive Cook (new) Presentation and Approval of 2020 annual report and accounts by Simon Ling, Honorary Treasurer of The Almshouse Association. Update and thanks from Chief Executive of The Almshouse Association, Nick Phillips. All members were cordially invited to attend the webinar. The nominated representative for each member charity was invited to cast their vote with one vote per member charity.
To view a recording of The Almshouse Association 70th AGM held on 29 September 2021, please click here .
To read the address by The Almshouse Association Chair Elizabeth Fathi, please click here.
To read the address by The Almshouse Association CEO Nick Phillips, please click here .
To view a recording of The Almshouse Association’s 69th AGM held on 1st September 2020, please click here .
29 September 21