Association visits Amersham almshouse charity

The Almshouse Association CEO Nick Phillips and Assistant Policy & Engagement Officer Jack Baldan were pleased to be invited to visit Amersham United Charites on June 22 2021 by Howard Hughes, Len Tridgell and Simon Partridge, the trustees of the charity.

The visit involved discussions on the various challenges the charity has experienced when maintaining and remodelling a listed building.

The renovations the charity is seeking planning permission for to improve the layout and quality of accommodation on offer involve almost all internal works. Plans include making the dwellings more energy efficient and tackling issues around condensation, and the aim of the improvements is ultimately to improve the quality of life for the beneficiaries of the charity, whilst also futureproofing a grade 2 listed building.

The visit also allowed trustees to discuss hurdles the charity has faced during the process, particularly concerning the position of the conservation officer (HBO). This is an issue that the Association is familiar with and we will endeavour to do our part in seeing this project granted permission so that residents can enjoy warmer, healthier homes.

We would like to thank Amersham Charities for their time. For their generosity in sharing thoughts about lessons learned, condensation issues, conservation approaches and how the Board has remained motivated and focused despite delays.

The visit highlighted the commitment of the trustees to improving living standards for the charity’s beneficiaries, as well as their determination that there be a source of genuinely affordable housing in the community in perpetuity.

Posted 24 June 21

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Diversifying your Charity Board

On Wednesday 16^th June members joined a webinar on diversifying your charity board.

The webinar looked at the current make-up of charity trustees boards across the UK and gave tips for opening up the trustee recruitment process to make it more accessible for a wider range of people. The webinar was delivered by Sophia Moreau from ‘Getting on Board’.

A recording of the webinar, as well as a copy of the slides and Getting on Board’s guide to recruiting trustees can be found below.

If your charity is struggling to recruit trustees, please do contact us at admin@almshouses.org.

DID YOU KNOW? – Only one third of trustees are women, 8% are people of colour and one third are under the age of 50. 59% of charities report that their board does not reflect the communities they serve. And 74% of charities struggle to find the trustees they need. Why is this? What could improved board diversity do for charities? What are the tried and tested practical actions you can take to recruit and retain diverse trustees?

About the Speaker
Sophia Moreau is a multi-award winning policy reformist. She currently runs the Public Affairs and Policy department of the Small Charities Coalition, representing 91% of charities in the UK.

Sophia freelances as an opinions writer and investigative journalist, with clients including the BBC, iNews and Huffington Post. She is Head of Student Rights at the charity Pregnant Then Screwed, a charity working to end the motherhood penalty in work, education and training. She is also a volunteer at SOS!SEN, a charity fighting for the of disabled children. For the past 3 years, Sophia has formed part of the 0.5% of charity directors in the UK under 25.

Posted 23 June 21

Covid-19 update: June 21

Thankfully, the nation’s unlocking from lockdown restrictions has continued, although with a slight delay.

However, there are still requirements in place which members should seek to keep aware of during the final stages of lockdown easing.

For the time being, we remain in Stage 3 of the national easing roadmap, with the next stage not expected until July 19^th, however, the Government has suggested that should progress be made in tackling the Delta variant, this could be brought forward to July 5^th.

Further information on what you can and can’t do in Stage 3 can be found here.

Members may find it useful to consult the government guidance for supported living which can be found here. Particular notice should be taken to the section on risk assessments.

Wales update

In Wales, the Government has extended the six-month notice period for evictions to 30^th September.

Guidance on current Welsh restrictions can be found here.

Posted 22 May 21

Website: Important changes coming into effect

On 14th June 2021 we will be making some updates to the back end of our website.

Although you won’t see any changes to the front end of the website at this stage, the changes will eventually allow us to offer online event booking, accept membership and event payments online, and any changes members make to their web profile will be carried over to our database. This, we hope, will enable members to update their details and manage their membership at a time that is most convenient to them.

For members who are already registered on the website:

‘*_{Forgot your password’ link on Login page}*

You will notice that when you login for the first time from 14th June, you will not be able to login using all your existing credentials.

Although your username (i.e. your email address) has been carried over into the new system and therefore remains the same, you will need to reset your password.

To do this, simply click on the ‘forgot your password’ button at the bottom of the screen. You will then be sent a link by email to reset it.

Anyone registering on the website for the first time (after 16th June)

You can do this as per normal . You should simply fill in the required fields, including your membership number.

Note: There is no restriction to the number of individuals per membership charity that can register on our website, however, each registration must use a different email address.

If you experience any issues when resetting your password or are not sure what you need to do, please do not hesitate to contact us on Tel: 01344 452922 or at almshousesupport@almshouses.org and we will be more than happy to help.

Posted 7 June 21

Mental Health and wellbeing in the charity sector

Charities are adept at doing more with less, and squeezing value from every interaction and every hour of the day. In addition, some frontline charity work is by nature difficult, upsetting and mentally draining. The upshot is that the third sector has long been aware of the mental health and wellbeing challenges faced by trustees, staff and volunteers.

That much was evident in our 2019 Charity Risk Barometer, which placed staff burnout as a top five medium term threat to the sector. Fast forward to the 2020 Barometer and, after six months of Covid, burnout was a more urgent concern, considered the second most serious challenge to charities over the coming 12 months.

For our latest mental health and wellbeing study of 450 charities, conducted over the last two weeks, we wanted to gauge the mental health of the sector after a year or so of lockdowns and remote working, and during the first tentative steps on the road to normality.

The charity sector is large and diverse, and organisations’ experience of the pandemic differed dramatically. While some charities had to pretty much shut up shop for large parts of lockdown, others faced a perfect storm of increased demand and dwindling resources. Meanwhile, everyone had to get used to new ways of working. Unsurprisingly, over half of respondents (56%) said Covid had exacerbated mental health issues in the sector.

The big picture

66% of charities are concerned about staff burnout
44% report an increase in colleague mental health concerns since January
44% of respondents say they might leave the sector because of burnout

Isolated and anxious

Like other organisations, charities were forced to abandon face-to-face service provision in March 2020, along with the camaraderie and support offered by office life. Many moved service provision and core operations online, while others didn’t have that option. This disruption continues to affect the sector in different ways, and has inevitably led to an increase in stress and anxiety for many employees.

As we slowly emerge from lockdown, the sector now faces funding shortfalls, the implementation of long-term remote or ‘hybrid’ working models, and the continued adoption of new methods of service provision. This barrage of change may leave those working in the sector feeling confused and overwhelmed. And as we move into an era of post-pandemic uncertainty, many may be worried for the future of their organisation and the jobs that depend on it.

Covid’s effects on mental health

Where organisations have seen an increase in mental health issues since January, they have been…

Anxiety (71%)
Stress (70%)
Depression (66%)
Suicidal feelings (27%)
Self-harm (25%)

Digging deeper, employees’ biggest concerns include:

Challenges at home (child care, home schooling) – 33%
Health concerns for family or friends – 30%
Concerns about Covid-19 (i.e. variants, vaccination) – 30%
Fatigue of home working – 30%
Feeling isolated – 30%

The impact

Worsening mental health represents a clear and present danger for the sector. As mentioned previously, 44% of respondents are considering leaving the sector altogether. Unsurprisingly, 37% of charities are worried that burnout will lead to staff shortages, while other concerns include recruitment issues (38%), being unable to provide services (36%) and a charity’s liability as an employer (28%).

This situation could be exacerbated by any proposed return to the office. Well over half (60%) of staff are nervous about going back to the office when it reopens.

Concerns around returning to physical premises include:

Catching Covid-19 (57%)
Service users not wearing masks (35%)
Colleagues not socially distancing (34%)
Concerns about extra workload caused by Covid-19 (34%)

What charities can do

Amidst this disruption, communication between trustees, managers and staff is more important than ever. Charities should train managers to identify mental health issues, and timetable regular check-ins with remote staff to gauge stress levels and offer support. Charities also need to put policies in place around working hours and encourage home workers to disconnect from work devices regularly. Anil Champaneri, senior HR consultant at HR and H&S consultancy Alcumus, says that burnout can become more likely when working from home becomes living at work.

“From a HR perspective, organisations need to understand that not everyone can work from home easily. Talk to your staff as soon as possible about your plans for the future and their views on home working or hybrid working. Some staff will have taken to remote working during lockdown, but others may have found themselves starting earlier or finishing later than normal or even working weekends and never truly switching off. That risks burnout.”

Anil Champaneri, senior HR consultant, Alcumus

Organisations should do all this as part of wider health and safety and risk management processes that help capture employee concerns around workload, remote working and stress. They should also include detailed H&S policies around any return to the office.

Some charities are already offering wellbeing support to colleagues. Measures include:

Access to third party helplines – 40%
A wellbeing policy – 39%
Access to a mental health professional – 38%
Introducing mindfulness techniques (e.g. meditation sessions) – 38%
Mental health first aiders – 32%

“One very positive thing every charity can do is train someone to become a mental health first aider, who can then be a first point of contact for anyone who might be struggling. Although a mental health first aider is not qualified to diagnose a mental health condition, they could recognise symptoms, offer support and signpost a colleague to the right resources or people for help. Just having one in the workplace demonstrates to your employees that your organisation takes mental well-being seriously. It also gives the message that it’s OK to open up about mental wellbeing issues.”

Anil Champaneri, senior HR consultant, Alcumus

But more can be done. Every third sector organisation should carry out a risk assessment to see where gaps exist in mental health support. Identifying stress and anxiety early, and reacting appropriately, can reduce the chance of mental health issues leading to poor performance, long term absences and even a claim against your organisation.

Vikki Woodfine, a specialist regulatory lawyer at DWF Law LLP, says that cases linked to mental health are becoming more common. “Over recent years, we have seen that the HSE has started to acknowledge mental health as well as physical health when considering an employer’s duties to protect employees…the increasing recognition in society of the importance of looking after mental health has resulted in the HSE becoming more interested in the topic.”

Don’t forget trustees

In all this it’s easy to forget trustees, who can sometimes seem one step removed from the day to day bustle of charity work.

But trustees are at the heart of the Covid response, with 68% involved in deciding new ways of working, 52% having regular meetings with management and 37% having regular meetings with staff and volunteers. They lead workshops, support new fundraising efforts and use their own skills to support change.

They’re doing far more than might otherwise have been expected. According to one recent survey, 62% of chairs spent four or more days a month on their chairing role compared with 43% before the pandemic.

Trustees face increased workloads and stress, and are making decisions for the future of their organisations in an environment without precedent. Understandably, they may not get every one right. Penny Wilson is CEO of Getting On Board, an organisation that trains and supports potential trustees and charity leaders. She says that charities might find it difficult to fill trustee positions in future, leading to further issues with governance and strategy.

“Trustees and staff alike feel the pressure of the charity being on the knife edge of survival. In particular, the sense of responsibility to vulnerable people who are relying on the charity can be overwhelming. Staff and trustees both have parallel stresses in their personal lives. But some trustees, by definition, also have their own day jobs and other roles where the pressures might be equally overwhelming. Some have therefore had to resign their trustee roles. This, along with the appalling ravages of the virus itself on the trustee body, has left many charities with reduced boards”
Penny Wilson, CEO, Getting on Board

While financial protection may only partly mitigate a trustee’s mental anguish and concern, having a comprehensive Trustees and Management Liability cover in place can help to protect them from any personal liability resulting from decisions they make which may be a reassuring factor.

What help is available?

It’s no surprise that 52% of charities say they need more government support. Whether that will be forthcoming or not is anyone’s guess, but in the meantime practical support for mental health in the charity sector is available.

Stress Indicator Tool

This tool, from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), measures the attitudes and perceptions of employees towards work-related stress.

Mental Health at Work

Mental health charity Mind have collected a wide range of resources to help any organisation get to grips with workplace mental health.

How Ecclesiastical can help

Ecclesiastical’s specialist insurance policies for charities can help protect you against work-related stress claims, but they go much further. Our policies are about support as much as cover, and include:

Telephone counselling service for all employees, volunteers and immediate family members who live with them
Health & safety support and advice to protect employees and volunteers – online, by phone or face to face
A regularly updated website with guidance on managing risk during Covid-19
Our award winning claims service, should the worst occur

We can also provide access to a range of additional services, including:

HR consultancy
H&S consultancy
Trustee recruitment guide in partnership with getting on Board

What next?

The UK has a roadmap out of Covid restrictions, and the vaccination programme continues apace. But the future remains uncertain. Covid recovery could mean Covid austerity as far as charity funding is concerned, and organisations have some big decisions to make around remote working, the return to face-to-face service provision and how much the ‘new normal’ will (or won’t) look like the old. All of this is potentially anxiety-inducing for an already stressed workforce.

That makes it even more important for charities to take mental health into consideration when planning a post-pandemic future. Dedicating time and resources to wellbeing is a crucial investment in your organisation’s future.

Article supplied by Ecclesiastical

New sculpture for Bond’s Lodge almshouses

A new sculpture from a renowned Coventry artist has been unveiled in the courtyard garden of a new almshouse development for the elderly.

George Wagstaffe, famed for such works as The Phoenix and The Naiad, has created the new sculpture named ‘Waters of Separation’ for Bond’s Lodge in Coventry.

He was commissioned to create a centrepiece for the large courtyard garden by Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities, which runs the new £6.8 million almshouse.

Residents, Coventry dignitaries and friends of the charity were invited to a ceremony to celebrate the new sculpture which features two bronze figures linked with a water installation, is joined by a poem penned by Wagstaffe, which can be read on a nearby plaque.

One of the bronze figures is in the image of Wagstaffe’s late wife Beryl, and the roots of the new installation can be traced back to time spent in Wales during the latter stages of Beryl’s illness.

George Wagstaffe said

“The sculpture was originally a painting I did of the same title. The idea is to show separation through, death, illness, divorce or any other means. The water running between the two figures runs away and then also runs together showing how, while separation divides, it can also unify.

The poem came later when I was walking through fields near my studio. I looked into a pond and it was so clear. I could see the clouds and sky mirrored in the calm pool. There was a slight breeze and in that slight breeze, everything shattered. That showed how life can change in an instant.

It’s a lovely setting here at Bond’s Lodge. Very much like The Naiad I did 60 years ago; this sculpture is part of the landscape. It’s a beautiful setting amongst flowers, plants and water.”

Lord Mayor of Coventry Cllr John McNicholas with Lady Mayoress June McNicholas were in attendance for their first engagement since being appointed to the roles. The unveiling event also saw an address from Methodist minister Pauline Warner, who discussed her friendship with Wagstaffe and Beryl.

Pauline said “I work at Abbey Park Methodist Nursing home in Whitley, and it was there that I first met George and Beryl. Her mind was razor sharp and stayed sharp to the end. George has called his work the Waters of Separation and it is the experience of being separated from Beryl that has driven this piece. Everyone who has moved or will be moving into these new apartments carry with them memories of their lives. I’m certain that in this lovely garden there will be more laughter than weeping, as the people from Bond’s Lodge sit here and together share their memories.”

Victor Keene MBE, Chairman of Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities, added “It’s a magnificent sculpture and the perfect centrepiece to the courtyard garden here at Bond’s Lodge. We have an artwork at each of our almshouses in Coventry – which now house over 150 residents. We’re not only looking after the comfort of our residents, there is a spiritual dimension, and the work of art helps to fill that need.

George is a well-known, highly-respected artist and we’re pleased he worked with us on this sculpture. We’re now at full-capacity at Bond’s Lodge and the residents love it here. This new sculpture will only add to that experience.”

PICTURE CAPTION: From left to right – Matthew White, Victor Keene MBE, Pauline Warner, George Wagstaffe, Lord Mayor of Coventry Cllr John McNicholas and Lady Mayoress June McNicholas

Posted 10 June 21

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Members’ Celebrations Network Event: 29 June 9.30am

Share your plans with other members at our next Member Networking Event!

If you haven’t done so already, please do join us on zoom for our Member Networking Events and chat with other members planning their parties. These meetings really highlight the collaboration and unity of our broader almshouse community and are a great platform for conversation and discussion about your planned activities over the summer months.

The next networking event is scheduled for Tuesday 29^th June at 09.30 – 11.30 am. Please register your interest by emailing admin@almshouses.org .

Almshouses feature in LCR publication

An article on almshouses by The Almshouse Association CEO Nick Phillips has been published in this month’s LCR magazine, produced by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC).

NALC works in partnership with county associations to support, promote and improve local councils. We hope that by featuring in this month’s LCR magazine, The Almshouse Association will take a further step forward in achieving our goal to improve the understanding of almshouses at a local council level. This understanding is vital to ensure that members receive support from their local parish or town council. We believe that by creating a better understanding of almshouses within this sector that we can create a number of potential benefits, including increasing interest in trusteeship.

In the article, Nick discusses the role and benefit of almshouses and why local councillors should look to support and learn more about their local charities. Click here for the full article

We would like to thank NALC for allowing us to write for LCR and look forward to further collaborations in the future.

If you are interested in LCR magazine you can find out more and subscribe here.

Posted 8 June 21

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Shrewsbury Drapers Company wins prestigious award

The Almshouse Association was incredibly proud to learn that the Shewsbury Drapers Company has been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

They are among four Shropshire groups to receive the award which is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation. It is the MBE for volunteer groups and is awarded for life. It is awarded to outstanding groups of volunteers whose level of initiative and impact are truly exceptional. Each group is assessed on the benefit it brings to the local community and its standing within that community. Volunteers are expected to be leading its work.

“I am delighted that four Shropshire groups have been awarded, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year. This prestigious award is richly deserved by each of the groups, who have made a real difference to so many people in the county of Shropshire.”
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Mrs Anna Turner JP who will be presenting the awards

The Shrewsbury Drapers provide sheltered housing for the elderly, preserve the heritage of the Guild and their historic Hall and promote a textile design competition. They have been running since 1462. The 52 almshouse beneficiaries are vulnerable elderly people who are selected on the basis of need. The newest block of almshouses, Drapers Place, opened in 2016 and was awarded The Almshouse Association Patron’s Award by HRH The Prince of Wales in 2019. Locals and visitors benefit from Drapers Hall and its contribution to tourism and trade in Shrewsbury. The Textile Design Competition encourages and recognises the work of several hundred students and crafts people.

I am delighted that we have been awarded the QAVS. Not only is this a superb recognition of all the hard work put in by our volunteers year after year, but also I hope that it will make us better known locally, and encourage a more diverse selection of skilled and energetic people to come and help us.
Major General John Crackett CB TD DL, the current Master of the Shrewsbury Drapers Company

Read the full article via Shropshire Live here
Find out more about Shrewsbury Draper Company here

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HRH visits Bond’s Hospital almshouses

The Almshouse Association was delighted to welcome our Royal Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales to Bond’s Hospital Almshouses, Coventry on 25th May 2021, during The Almshouse Association’s 75th anniversary year.

As part of his Royal ‘Away Day’ in Coventry, The Prince of Wales took the time to visit Bond’s Hospital, run by the Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities to meet with residents and trustees, and to cut a cake to celebrate The Almshouse Association’s 75^th anniversary.

Upon his arrival, HRH was greeted by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire, who presented Liz Fathi, Chair of The Almshouse Association, Nick Phillips, Chief Executive of The Almshouse Association, Mr Victor Keene MBE – Chairman of Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities, Mrs Virginia Rigby – Vice Chair of Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities, Mr Richard Kenyon – Chairman of Bond’s Hospital Estate Charity and Matthew White, Chief Executive of Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities.

_{Mr Victor Keene MBE presents HRH with a book}

HRH was invited to sign the visitor book of the charity in the prayer room where he was also presented with a book by Michael Orten. The title of the book is ‘For so long as the world shall endure’ which was a phrase used in the Will of Thomas Bond (the charity’s Founder) in 1506 and relates to the term of the charity that he set up over 500 years ago.

_{HRH, The Prince of Wales chats with Mrs Eileen Nixon}

Prince Charles then went out into the garden where he spent time speaking to the thrilled trustees and residents of Bond’s Hospital and asking them about their interests.

Nick Phillips, The Chief Executive of The Almshouse Association said,

“His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales once again showed his great commitment to the residents of almshouses. He is so interested in what they have to say and their individual stories.

The Prince of Wales has been such a significant support to The Almshouse Association and our members throughout the pandemic, and we were delighted that he took the occasion of the visit to Bond’s Hospital Almshouses to cut the cake celebrating 75 years of The Almshouse Association. The residents, volunteers and staff were so pleased and really enjoyed his company. It was such a boost for them, for us and the 1,600 almshouses in the country.”

_{His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales and Elizabeth Fathi, Chair of The Almshouse Association, share a joke as the cake, decorated with the charity’s logo, is cut to commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the Association.}

In her speech, the Chair of The Almshouse Association, Elizabeth Fathi, said how proud the Association, the trustees and staff were to have the Royal Patronage, and how grateful they are that His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, is so supportive of the historic almshouse model. She said,

_{Head of Member Services, Rosie Sweeney made sure everyone got a slice of our 75th celebration cake}

“It is an honour to welcome His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, to help celebrate the 75^th anniversary of The Almshouse Association – a movement that began a thousand years ago: a thousand years of providing warm, friendly houses for local people. That shows it’s a model that works!”

Residents, staff and trustees all raised a glass to toast this special moment.

The Almshouse Association represents and supports a network of 1,600 independent almshouses across the UK that provide community housing for some 36,000 people in housing need.

Throughout 2021, The Almshouse Association will be celebrating both their 75th anniversary and the achievements of the almshouse movement which spans over a thousand years.

Photos: Richard Gray
Top photographs: 1st image: HRH talks with residents (l-r) Mrs Sheila Tognonato, Mr David Stanley and Mrs Olga Miller; 2nd image: HRH is presented to Nick Phillips CEO of The Almshouse Association and Liz Fathi Chair of The Almshouse Assocation; 3rd image HRH with Mrs Janet Blair-Wilson and Mrs Patsy Keogh.

Posted 1 June 21

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