Members' Celebrations Network Event: 29 June 9.30am

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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Policy & Governance update: June 21

Each month, the Association 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 June 21 Summary:

Housing

First Homes – The Government has announced its planned introduction of First Homes, homes which are discounted for purchase by a minimum of 30% for first time buyers. The Almshouse Association is concerned that priority will be given to the new model ahead of homes for social rent. This is the result of local authorities being told to prioritise securing 25% of their affordable homes allocation as First Homes from developer contributions before proceeding to consider alternative models of affordable housing. The Association believes that local authorities should be able to choose the most appropriate model of affordable housing for their local community whether this be social rent, or even supporting new almshouse developments.

Although the levels of new council/social housing has increased slightly in recent years, it would benefit the sector if the Government provided greater support for genuinely affordable homes for rent, rather than continuing to focus on home ownership which even with First Homes will be out of reach for many.

Support for renters continues with longer notice periods – The Government has announced that from 1 June, tenant notice periods that are currently 6 months will reduce to at least 4 months. Fourteen-days notice is required before an eviction can take place. Therefore, no evictions are expected to take place before mid-June except in the most serious circumstances, and bailiffs have been asked not to carry out an eviction if they have been made aware that anyone living in the property has COVID-19 symptoms or is self-isolating. Notice periods for the most serious cases that present the most strain on landlords will remain lower:
- anti-social behaviour (immediate to 4 weeks’ notice)
- domestic abuse in the social sector (2 to 4 weeks’ notice)
- false statement (2 to 4 weeks’ notice)
- over 4 months’ accumulated rent arrears (4 weeks’ notice)
- breach of immigration rules ‘Right to Rent’ (2 weeks’ notice)
- death of a tenant (2 months’ notice)
- notice periods for cases where there is four or more months’ of unpaid rent, will reduce to 2 months’ notice from 1 August. This is to support both landlords and tenants and responds to the greater difference between COVID and pre COVID notice periods for rent arrears.

As with previous guidance, there is not a legal requirement for almshouses to follow this guidance. It is, however, recommended that almshouses follow the guidance as good practice as we continue to deal with the pandemic

Charity Commission

Cyber security training package launched for charities and small businesses – The National Cyber Security Centre has published a free e-learning package to support small organisations, including charities. The training, Cyber Security for Small Organisations and Charities, guides businesses through the actions they should take in order to dramatically reduce the risk of the most common cyber-attacks, such as ransomware and phishing.

Trustee recruitment – Reach Volunteering has launched a website to help charities improve how they recruit trustees and increase their board’s diversity. The Trustee Recruitment Cycle includes guidance, templates, and insight from other charities, with an aim to make it easier to recruit more openly and inclusively. It was created by Reach Volunteering, alongside the Association of Chairs, Small Charities Coalition and Getting on Board. The Trustee Recruitment Cycle takes charities through the recruitment process in six stages and is designed so charities can dip into relevant sections, or work through the whole recruitment process from start to finish.

Adult Social Care

Department of Health and Social Care Consultation on making vaccination a condition of deployment in older adult care homes –
The Government is proposing to amend regulations to require older adult care home providers to deploy only those workers who have received their COVID-19 vaccination in line with government guidance. This will not include those who can provide evidence of a medical exemption from COVID-19 vaccination. The Government also intends to amend the Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections to explain the requirement. They are consulting on this policy and whether it should be extended to include other professionals who visit the care home, for example NHS workers providing close personal care to people living in the care home. There are many other settings across adult social care and health, where people most at risk from COVID-19 are being cared for in high risk, closed settings.

The Government will keep this policy under review on a continuing basis and consider whether in due course it is necessary to extend the policy to other parts of the adult social care and health sectors. Members may wish to respond to this consultation, full details can be found here.

Coronavirus

Care homes residents allowed more out-of-home visits – DHSC has announced that care home residents will be able to have more named visitors and more opportunities to make visits out with no need to self-isolate when they return. As part of Step 3 of the Roadmap, the number of named family members or friends able to visit their loved ones in care homes will be increased from two to five. A maximum of two visitors will be allowed at any one time or on any given day.

You can find all our Coronavirus updates here

Wales

Notice Periods – Notice periods given to tenants from the 26 March 2020 to 23 July 2020 must be at least 3 months for all kinds of notice.

Notice periods given on or after 24 July 2020 to at least 30 June 2021 must be at least 6 months, other than for grounds relating to anti-social behaviour which remained at 3 months until 28 September 2020 but have subsequently returned to their pre-Coronavirus Act 2020 lengths of one month or less, depending on the type of tenancy and ground used.

Furthermore, subject to a periodic 3 week review, bailiffs are not allowed to enforce evictions until the end of 30 June 2021, except in cases relating to, illegal occupation, anti-social behaviour, eviction of perpetrators of domestic abuse in the social sector where the victim is housed elsewhere and where the property is unoccupied following the death of a tenant.

Government extends notice periods

Government extends requirement for longer notice periods until October 2021

The Government has extended the requirement to provide most tenants in England with four-month notice periods from June 1^st until September 31^st 2021. This comes as part of protections for renters during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government have announced that notice periods will return to pre-pandemic levels from October 2021.

The current ban on bailiff-enforced evictions, introduced as an emergency measure during lockdown, will end on 31 May. Bailiffs have been asked not to carry out an eviction if anyone living in the property has COVID-19 symptoms or is self-isolating.

Notice periods for the most serious cases that present the most strain on landlords will remain lower, i.e. in the following cases:

anti-social behaviour (immediate to 4 weeks’ notice)
domestic abuse in the social sector (2 to 4 weeks’ notice)
false statement (2 to 4 weeks’ notice)
over 4 months’ accumulated rent arrears (4 weeks’ notice)
breach of immigration rules ‘Right to Rent’ (2 weeks’ notice)
death of a tenant (2 months’ notice)

Notice periods for cases where there is four or more months’ of unpaid rent, will reduce to 2 months’ notice from 1 August.

Wales

Notice periods given to tenants from the 26 March 2020 to 23 July 2020 must be at least 3 months for all kinds of notice.

Full government guidance can be found here.

Posted 18 May 21

Almshouses: an architect’s view

The word almshouse has two etymological roots: alms comes from the ancient Greek word for compassion; whilst house derives from the Anglian term meaning dwelling or shelter.

Over nearly 1,000 years, almshouses have provided compassionate shelter to many people, but their benefits extend beyond this simple, charitable function because of their unique circumstances as locally constituted organisations with a common purpose of supporting people’s wellbeing. The role of housing in health and wellbeing has always been important, but never more so than during the pandemic. Almshouses have demonstrated the value of local community support as a crucial alternative to the larger providers of supported housing.

In my architecture practice’s work with almshouse charities, we have found that the relationship between each trustee, the residents, and the homes they inhabit to be unique and special, providing a foundation for wellbeing through closely-knit networks. These provide preventative health benefits that keep people socially and physically engaged much longer in life, often focused in and around shared gardens. In designing new homes for these organisations, our aim has been to capture this essence so that almshouses can continue to provide for their residents’ health and wellbeing for the next 1,000 years.

The Almshouse Association provides a crucial means for the great number of almshouse charities across the country to act as a network, learning from each other and representing themselves nationally, without losing their uniquely localised natures.

We look forward to the next chapters in the history of the almshouse.

Roland Karthaus is an architect, researcher and lecturer and is founding director of Matter Architecture. The practice focuses on designing buildings and places that are sensitive to context, enduring and sustainable to improve people’s happiness and wellbeing in the long term. https://matterarchitecture.uk

Feature image supplied by Roland Karthaus : How can housing be designed for greater social benefit – photo of walkway

The Buchanan Trust: Four wonderful new almshouses!

The Almshouse Association is honoured to have received an invite to the opening event for The Buchanan Trust’s new almshouses, specially built for ex-military beneficiaries.

The Buchanan Trust is a charity that was set up in 1918 to support ex-military personnel, in memory of Alan Buchanan who fell in the First World War. Run by a diverse board of voluntary trustees, the Trust still continues to this day with its vital work in supporting veterans with their transition from military to civilian life.

Situated in Herefordshire near the village of Bosbury, the Trust owns The Bosbury Estate, a small rural estate that provides short to medium term residential accommodation for former service men and women and their families. It supports them to readjust after their time in the forces has come to an end. In addition to housing, the Trust also provides veterans with access to work experience, accredited training skills and employment opportunities in the rural and construction sectors. Working with like-minded businesses, other charitable and public sector organisations, the Buchanan Trust is proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and is resolute in supporting the Armed Forces Community.

Recent project – four new Veteran’s cottages

The Trust’s most recent project has been the building of four new one and two bedroom cottages for its ex-military beneficiaries. Some of these units are DDA accessible and able to cater for the beneficiaries’ families. The cottages will be ready to welcome a further four veterans on to the Trust’s country estate, where the houses are being developed in small courtyard clusters where the residents form a small community and can support each other in a safe and secure environment.

This project has been made possible through funding support from both Herefordshire County Council and Homes England, along with other charitable donations from The Hereford Cathedral Almshouse Charity and various businesses, local communities and the general public.

As a registered almshouse charity and members of The Almshouse Association, these cottages will be run as Almshouses, with our veteran beneficiaries of the charity paying a weekly maintenance charge for the upkeep of the properties.

The Trust wishes to acknowledge everyone who has supported this project which has continued despite the challenges of COVID-19, drawing specific thanks to our Principal Contractor, Lane Britton Jenkins who won the contract partly as a result of many of their sub-contractors, who are former service personnel, providing lower prices as they wished to support the project.

The ‘COVID safe’ event takes place on 21st May 2021 and they are delighted to have various local dignitaries in attendance, along with actor, author, presenter and investigative journalist – Ross Kemp.

Posted 13 May 21

CEO blog: May 21

Our pizzas are worth more than care for elderly people …. we all agree? Don’t we?

I think a home is a basic necessity, like water or care for the elderly, and I expect I am not alone in this. So why aren’t we fighting for it? We are normally really good at that aren’t we? It was not so long ago that we supported en masse Uber drivers, pizza delivery riders and sports shop workers because of their appalling pay and conditions.

This was going to be a long blog setting out the various shared elements of the two great frustrations where the same people often find themselves overlooked and/or undervalued. However, there just seems so little point. It is like pointing out that football players are paid more than nurses and much as we love to see a kick around we all know we definitely need one more than the other. This is of course, the stuff of three in the morning teenage debate. It is what it is – get over it!

When I read about the uproar from investment companies backing out of a well-known pizza delivery company because of their bad pay and conditions …. it brought me up sharp again, (Maybe it was three in the morning!) but people were taking notice! Bad pay and conditions for our pizza delivery riders – things must change, it’s not fair! Quite right! But I sigh inwardly when I talked to a close friend who was a carer who expressed how he was only paid for between 30 and 45 minutes work with clients and often has unpaid one hour drive between clients. He then needs to spend at least 75 minutes with some clients to help dress wounds, make a cup of tea or clean them. These were people not pizzas. He eventually had to stop being a carer as it was costing too much of his own student money to support the job.

What does this have to do with affordable housing? It is my view that good housing is linked to a reduced need for social care. We know loneliness and poor housing can lead to mental and even physical illness, depression and the need for medication. If we recognise that as a bare minimum people need a good quality, warm, safe home, a friend and neighbour we could reduce the cost to the health service.

We must start looking at integrating health, social care and housing, closely intertwined areas which all benefit each other. When all three elements work together effectively, the whole system can work better and provide significant cost savings through reduced attendance at A&E and reductions in loneliness and its associated consequences.

Small-scale charitable community homes, like almshouses, can save the health service a fortune and perhaps with that saving the Government could afford to pay our carers at least as much as the guy who brings us our pizza. Bon appetite!

Anniversary Network Event

We had an amazing member networking event on Tuesday 11^th May, with over 40 members attending and talking about their party plans to help us celebrate our 75^th anniversary year!

Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to join us to chat about the fabulous parties that are being planned and already being organised for this summer!

We had some really interesting questions come up during the session and have highlighted these below for reference:

GDPR – Some members were concerned about GDPR issues with residents and members of the public getting involved with their events. There is a photo-release form in the celebration pack that should be signed by anyone attending and also residents before any photos/videos are taken of them and used in any promotional material, or online on websites or social media. There is also a poster that can be printed out and put up for public display too.

Crime Prevention – Some members had concerns about crime occurring on their site during a public event being held at an almshouse. The suggestion was that several trustees could be situated near vulnerable areas and signs made with ‘private – no access’. Within the risk assessments undertaken, these suggestions for prevention need to be included. Also, having a checklist of attendees with email addresses and/or full addresses so people have to provide names and contact details at the entrance to the event may help. Curtains and blinds can be drawn and private doors locked before the event.

Covid restrictions. – A question was asked about Covid restrictions if a public hall was being hired with regards to cleaning before and after the event. It was recommended that we might have to wait until after the 21^st June before we could make any recommendations on what requirements will be needed but a suggestion was made to contact the local council to ask for feedback on health and safety. It is also recommended that the Hints and Tips flyer could help with details of the government health & safety website.

Residents – some members have encountered some opposition from residents to holding a garden celebration which highlights the work of the charity to the wider public. It was suggested that charities speak to their residents to discuss what the charity is trying to achieve and to look at ways residents can get involved in the organisation of the event (e.g. making bunting/ writing out invitations etc.). Where a resident doesn’t want to be involved, suggest that they may wish to go out for a few hours on that particular day and/or close their curtains.

What type of event to have? Some members were deliberating between having a resident only and a joint event. It was suggested that this needs to be decided by the trustees and residents to ensure everyone is happy with the option put forward. If the local mayor or MP is invited to help raise the profile, an option could be to invite them to cut a ribbon to open the event and then the residents can have their party after the dignitary departs. This ensures that focus is only on the dignitary for the first hour or half an hour as dignitaries usually don’t stay at events due to their busy schedules.

Joint events. These were discussed and there was some positive feedback on smaller almshouses getting together.

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 dicuss, please do email gerryharmon@almshouses.org