Charity Commission: annual returns guidance update

The Charity Commission has updated its guidance for charities due to submit their annual returns in the coming months, as well as those that are subject to a filing extension as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Commission is still requesting that charities submit their annual returns on time wherever possible. For those charities that are due to submit their annual return between 1 July 2021 and 30 September 2021 and are unable to meet their filing obligations for a Covid-19 related reason, an application can be made for a filing extensions. A fixed three month extension from the date of application will be granted.

For those charities that already have an extension in place, the Charity Commission will contact you shortly. These charities will need to submit their annual returns by 30 September 2021.

To view the Charity Commission’s updated guidance, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-the-charity-sector. This guidance also contains information on holding trustee meetings and AGMs over the coming months.

Posted 5 July 2021

Celebrations Networking Event

We had another amazing member networking event on Tuesday 29th June with members talking about their very special plans to have a garden party to help us celebrate our 75th anniversary year!

Thank you to everyone who took part and shared their plans – as well as their challenges.

A special thank you to Bob Needham of Wivenhoe Almshouses, who started the meeting by talking about his proposed 1940s style party and all the ins and outs of planning a garden party. This really helped the other members with ideas and what they needed to think about when organising an event.

We had some really interesting feedback and comments during the session and have highlighted these below for reference:

What it takes to organise a party – Bob highlighted the many aspects of organising a party, large or small including everything from gazebo’s to toilet facilities and Covid-19 requirements.  Whether organising a large or small event, certain criteria needs to be met and to help you with these, we have a great Hints & Tips Flyer in our Celebration Pack, that can assist you to identify the main points to consider and create a workable check list. 

Smaller more intimate events – Some members had concerns about their parties being too small or insignificant during our 75th anniversary year and we assured them that any gathering that induces happiness and camaraderie is special and signifies the essence of almshouses, which is a community spirit and neighbourliness. That is what the 75th anniversary year is all about. We would be delighted to hear about any small, intimate parties taking place, whether this is simply the residents sharing a cup of tea and a piece of cake to larger events. Every event is special, regardless of the size and every photo or story we receive of an event will be welcomed with delight.

PR doesn’t have to be intrusive – Some members were discussing the concerns about PR in their local communities as they wanted to respect their residents and also keep the media from inadvertently visiting without prior warning. They were reassured that PR inclusion can be kept to a minimum and managed in a way that isn’t intrusive and can be directed or focused on one major project or area.

We will share details for our next networking event as soon as they are finalised. In the meantime, if you have any questions or ideas you would like to discuss, please do email gerryharmon@almshouses.org

Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund

The Almshouse Association would like to make members aware that from autumn 2021, members who are Registered Providers of Social Housing will be able to submit bids for the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.

The fund seeks to help raise the energy standards of social housing as part of the government’s plans to reach Net Zero. The fund provides a good opportunity for members who are considering improving the energy standards of their current dwellings.

Further information on the bidding window will be published later this summer, but it is worth members starting to consider whether they would like to make a bid now so that you are ready when the window opens.

As part of this bid it will not be possible to make a direct bid through your charity as you are required to apply as part of a local authority bid. Consequently, it might be good practice to contact your local authority and see what scope there is to collaborate. 

The Almshouse Association will share further guidance once it becomes available.

Posted 29 June 21

Wivenhoe Housing Trust: paving the way to celebrations

Trustees of The Wivenhoe Housing Trust are looking forward to joining in with the national celebrations to mark 75 years of The Almshouse Association.

This almshouse charity, based in Essex, is responsible for the provision of thirteen properties over two sites in Wivenhoe. The Mary Ann Sanford Almshouses (1873) and Jonathan Feedham Almshouses (built 1974 from a legacy bequeathed 1718)

A Celebration Garden Party is set for Saturday 18th September 2021 in the newly re-vamped courtyard at Jonathan Feedham Court. The location is most appropriate as the area has recently undergone significant improvements. The courtyard now benefits from a new drainage system. Significantly, improved access to the garden and floral beds has been achieved by raising the paved ground surface level across the yard to meet with that of the front door levels of the bungalows. The courtyard is now a much nicer space for residents to socialise enhancing opportunities for improved health and wellbeing and promoting a greater interest in plants and gardening.

The garden project had taken a few years to achieve and plans were afoot to hold an opening ceremony in 2020. Alas, pandemic restrictions meant that this couldn’t go ahead.

Now, an excellent opportunity awaits the Wivenhoe Housing Trust. A Grand Celebration Garden Party will enable combine their opening ceremony with marking the 75th anniversary of the formation of The Almshouse Association. A 1940s themed afternoon will see all residents from both almshouse locations attending to enjoy afternoon tea with The Town Mayor of Wivenhoe, The Trustee Board, Representatives from The Wivenhoe Society, Wivenhoe Helping Hands and the two local schools. (A drawing competition is under way for local school children on an almshouse theme and awards will be presented at the garden party).

If available, a 1940s gramophone will play records of the era and entertainment is scheduled from The Hoolies, Wivenhoe’s Sea Shanty Crew and the Colchester Town Crier is on hand for any special announcements.

Words by Robert Needham. To read more about the renovations project, please click here .

Contacts
Robert Needham  01206 824446 noisybeggar@btinternet.com     Peter Hill  01206  823073 peter@toadhall2.co.uk   Chair of Trustees
Further information   www.wivenhoehistory.org.uk 
Searches:   1) Almshouses  2) Major Project at Jonathan Feedham Court

June 21

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Giving Something Back

by Chris Morton, Chairman of Louisa Lilley Almshouses

‘Giving Something Back’ to society was something that really came to fore in my life a few years ago when I was considering retirement from being a Commercial Accountant.

I felt that The Lilley Homes Almshouses was something I could “contribute” to and, as they say, “bring something to the table”.

The Trust is over 90 years old and Miss Louisa Lilley, who died in 1930, was part of a Shoe Manufacturing Family in the local town who bequeathed an amount in her estate to establish the Trust which now looks after after 20 one bedroom bungalows built around large gardens with residents ranging from 60 to 93 years old.

After attending a few of the trustee meetings, I felt I could contribute and was encouraged to put forward my ideas. My first proposal was a PPM (planned, preventative maintenance) regime that was welcomed by the Board, benefitting both the residents and trustees, then 2 years ago, the Chairman of Trustees asked me if I would take over as Chairman (he was in his 90s and had been Chairman for 40 years).

I was honoured to accept, and decided that this would fill in the “work” gap when I retired. The Louisa Lilley Trust has a history that needs to be protected and enhanced, so as we look forward, I believe the trust needs to make sure all our properties are kept in a condition suitable for the 21st Century, but keeping the vision that Louisa Lilley portrays in her will, which is still our ” bible.”

We have a Duty of Care to all our residents, and as such, we make sure that they are as safe as possible with the use of a call care system and our paid secretary visits all residents on a fortnightly basis.  

We encourage a community spirit and intend to hold an Open Gardens event for a local charity this summer. We will give all residents a “Tea Party” on the same day and combine this with The Almshouse Association 75th Anniversary.

We are also looking at our carbon footprint along with sustainability, in everything we do, and one of the things we are currently exploring the possibility of putting solar panels on all our properties, although we are mindful that we if we do so, it must not spoil the “look” of the almshouses. Once Covid 19 restrictions have been lifted, we will be improving our roof insulation and we have also put natural water butts in both our complexes to reduce our reliability on tap water for our gardens.

The Trust is also looking at building new housing in our current grounds, to increase the number of almshouses we have to offer. These will be replicas of the ones we already have, but designed specifically, for the elderly, in the 21st Century.

June 21

click here to see all ‘Almshouse News and Stories’

Almshouse charity steps in to help

A retired Uppingham couple who risked becoming homeless have moved into a newly created flat in Oakham owned by Rutland’s oldest charity, St John & St Anne (SJSA).

The almshouse charity stepped in to help Terence & Mary Gaythorpe after they were given notice to quit their previous home by their landlord. The two-bedroom flat, formerly the charity’s office was transformed into a home, with the help of a grant from Homes England and a loan from The Almshouse Association.

Mr & Mrs Gaythorpe have lived in the county for 50 years. Their flat brings SJSA’s housing stock for retired people to 103 properties spread over five sites in Oakham & Uppingham.

It is so pleasing that this new property will ensure that a local couple can now continue to enjoy their retirement years without having to repeatedly navigate the private rental market.

St John and St Anne Almshouses CEO Paul Martin

The Almshouse Association is so pleased to hear that an Almshouse Association loan has helped to make this possible for the charity and for these newest almshouse residents. With the help of our supporters and generous donations, we hope to be able to offer many more grants and loans to charities in need to that they may continue to provide safe, warm homes to people in need in their community.

If you would like to find out more about supporting almshoue charities or making a legacy in your will, please do contact our Head of Fundraising at susanvanleest@almshouses.org

You may also like to visit our Leave a legacy | (almshouses.org) page.

click here to see all ‘Almshouse News and Stories’

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 16th 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 19th, however, the Government has suggested that should progress be made in tackling the Delta variant, this could be brought forward to July 5th.

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 30th 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.

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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