Covid-19 update: 12.05.21

The Government has announced that from 17 May 2021, England will move to step 3 of its roadmap out of lockdown.

This will mean a further relaxation of the Covid-19 restrictions that have been in place up until now.

The main changes likely to affect almshouses are:

Up to 6 people or two households will now be able to meet indoors. Where people meet indoors, they should be encouraged to open a window. Meeting outside where possible is still a safer option
Up to 30 people will be able to meet outdoors
Hotels, B&Bs and hostels will now be able to open. Charities with guest rooms will now be able to open these should they wish. This is not obligatory however, and you should carry out a risk assessment first
Indoor hospitality, such as bars and restaurants, can reopen
Other indoor leisure and entertainment facilities will be allowed to open
Travel within Britain and overnight stays will be allowed

The government has also advised that people will be able to make their own personal decision about close contact with friends and family. This means that your residents would be allowed to hug and sit next to a member of their family or friends should they wish to do so. Residents and their guests should be reminded about the risks associated with close contact however. Social distancing rules should be followed in all other contexts.

The rules around international travel will also be relaxed from 17 May. The government has announced a list of green countries which do not require the traveller to quarantine upon their return to England. They will instead be required to have a Covid test prior to returning home and another test upon their arrival home. Those arriving from ‘amber’ countries will be required to quarantine at home for 10 days and take two Covid tests. Those arriving from red list countries will be required to quarantine at a hotel for 10 days at their own expense. A list of green, amber and red countries and the rules for quarantining can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england. Any residents or staff who travel overseas in the coming months should be reminded of these restrictions.

For larger charities with care facilities, the restrictions on care staff working at one location only remain in place and there isn’t a timescale yet for when these restrictions will be eased.

Wales update

Wales remains at alert level three. From 3 May, the following is allowed:

Gyms, leisure centres, swimming pools and fitness facilities can open.
Extended households can be formed with one other household.
Indoor supervised activities for children can take place.
Indoor organised activities for up to 15 adults can take place.
Community centres can open.

Detailed guidance on restrictions in Wales can be found at https://gov.wales/alert-level-3.

Posted 12 May 21

Tackling problem debt – new government scheme

New Government Scheme introduced to tackle problem debt

The Government has introduced a new scheme called Breathing Space to help those experiencing problem debt.

The scheme will provide those experiencing problem debt with 60 days to get their finances back on track without the threat of further debt, letters or enforcement action. They will be supported with professional debt advice, with additional support and protection for those experiencing mental health crisis treatment.

The scheme is expected to support around 700,000 people who are struggling with this issue and may impact on the Set Aside process in almshouses. A Set Aside is likely to be paused while a resident makes use of the scheme, hopefully allowing a resident to get help with their finances so that they may begin to pay back any overdue Weekly Maintenance Contribution and get back to paying on time. The Almshouse Association would recommend that members look into the scheme and consider whether residents currently struggling to pay their WMC may benefit from making use of it.

Additional points to note:

Most debts will qualify for a breathing space, including credit and store cards; personal and payday loans; overdrafts; utility bills, rent and mortgages arrears; and government debts like tax and benefits.
Although interest and fees are frozen, a Breathing Space is not a payment holiday. People entering a Breathing Space will need to keep paying for any debts and ongoing liabilities they have – like their mortgage, rent and bills – whilst they work with a debt advisor to find a sustainable debt solution. If someone in a standard Breathing Space fails to comply with these obligations, then a debt adviser has the discretion to cancel their Breathing Space.

Posted 10 May 21

Perry Almshouses celebrate 170th anniversary!

The residents and trustees of the Perry Almshouses in Winterbourne on the outskirts of Bristol are extremely excited to be celebrating the 170th Anniversary of their beautiful, Grade II listed almshouses as well as the 75th Anniversary of The Almshouse Association this year.

Built and conveyed in 1851 by a local benefactress, Mary Anne Jones, the Perry Almshouses have housed those in need within the Ancient Parish of Winterbourne for 170 years. The almshouses were named by Mary out of respect for her grandfather – the local Squire, William Perry.

A celebratory garden party is being held later this year when a tree will be planted to commemorate this very special occasion.

Almshouse charities smile for Captain Tom’s 100 challenge

Last month, we asked our members to join us with the national campaign as part of an initiative by The Captain Tom Foundation. Our contribution had the aim of raising awareness of our unique form of affordable social housing which has at its heart one of Captain Tom’s key legacies – combating loneliness.

To rise to the 100 Challenge, The Almshouse Association asked members throughout the UK to showcase their work by sharing a photo of trustees, staff and residents outside their almshouses with their biggest smiles!

We are delighted to report that we received a beautiful collection of smiles.

We even received smiles from contractors who are busy building the next generation of almshouses ! And photos are still coming in thick and fast

If you follow us on social media, you will have already seen the happy faces popping up on your phones, pcs and tablets and we will also be showcasing them on our website and in our Almshouses Gazette. Photos are still coming in and we will keep on posting them up for everyone to enjoy!

This huge effort has not only enabled us to celebrate the wonderful work our members do and how happy almshouse residents are across the country, but raised awareness of the almshouse movement as a whole.

An enormous ‘thank you and well done!’ to everyone who took part!

And more smiles! 🙂

CEO guest speaker at Charity Matters webinar

Almshouse Association CEO Nick Phillips will be joining Aberdeen Standard Capital Charity Matters virtual event on Wednesday 12 May 11.00 – 12.00. Also speaking will be legal expert Gordon Reid from Moore Barlow and Julie Hutchinson, Charities Specialist at Aberdeen Standard Capital.

During the session they will be looking at setting aside appointments and will also have a short investment update with market outlook. The webinar includes live Q&A with the panel.

If you would like to register for the webinar, please click here

Practical information
This event will be held on Zoom and you will have the opportunity to interact with our panellists directly. Full details on how to join will be shared with you in advance.

Important Information
Investment involves risk. The value of investments, and the income from them, can go down as well as up and an investor may get back less than the amount invested. aberdeenstandardcapital.com

Policy & Governance update: April/May 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 Apr/May 21 Summary:

Housing

Homes England Showcase Almshouse Renovation – The Almshouse Association was pleased to see Homes England showcasing the renovation of a Grade II* listed almshouse in Sherburn House Charity in Durham, which was helped by a grant from the Government’s Affordable Homes Programme.

Housing Ombudsman publishes Business Plan 2021-22 – The Housing Ombudsman has published its Business Plan 2021-22, which outlines the next steps to grow and improve its service that builds on changes introduced over the last year. The subscription fee for 2021-22 remains the same at £2.16 per unit.

Charity Commission

Investment guidance for trustees – The Charity Commission has published a consultation – closing 20 May – on the clarity of draft revised guidance about adopting a responsible (or “ethical”) approach to investing charity funds.

Adult Social Care

Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for adult social care settings – DHSC has published guidance that outlines the COVID-19 testing available for testing staff, residents and visitors for all adult social care settings. The following are testing guidance for a range of specific adult social care settings:

testing for adult care homes
- testing for extra care and supported living settings
- testing for homecare staff
- testing for personal assistants
- testing for day care centres
- rapid lateral flow testing of visitors in adult social care settings

Coronavirus

Coronavirus guidance for the Charity Sector

The Charity Commission has updated its guidance for the charity sector in relation to COVID-19. Specifically, changes have been made to the section “AGMs and other meetings: postponing or cancelling meetings.”

You can find all our Coronavirus updates here

Posted 4 May 21

Former PM meets with Association

The Almshouse Association held a meeting today (April 26^th) with our local Member of Parliament, Theresa May MP, to discuss issues affecting the almshouse movement and how the Association is looking to tackle them.

We discussed the issue of recognition of almshouses from central and local government, as well as the wider public. We also talked about the potential for new almshouse development being held back due to this lack of recognition.

We were glad to see that Mrs May was well aware and an active supporter of her local almshouses in her Maidenhead constituency.

The Almshouse Association would like to thank Mrs May for taking the time to attend the meeting.

Posted 26 April 2021

Church of England: Coming Home report

The Almshouse Association hosts webinar on Church of England Coming Home Report

The Almshouse Association hosted a webinar on the recently published Coming Home report from the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Housing Commission. The report made one of the most public and high-profile endorsements for the almshouse model in recent times.

The webinar represents the Association’s determination to see the report’s recommendations put into action by bringing together representatives of the almshouse movement and the Church. The discussion proved very useful in helping to scope out what the future relationship between both sides might look like and to plan next steps.

The Almshouse Association looks forward to further engagement between the Church and those now entrusted with enabling the report’s recommendations. We believe that we have a strong foundation due to the historic bond between almshouses and churches across the country.

We would like to say thank you to all those who attended and participated in the event, with a special thank you to our guest speakers: Bishop Graham Tomlin, Revd Jeremy Fraser, Nick Pollock and Michael Siggs.

A full recording of the webinar can be viewed here.

Posted 22 April 21

Webinar Recording: Setting aside – an almshouse toolkit

The Almshouse Association teamed up with Simon Stone, Associate at Stone King LLP, to present a webinar on ‘Setting aside – an almshouse toolkit’ to 87 member charities on Wednesday 21st April.

Setting aside appointments can be a complex and very sensitive area for almshouses. Trustees have to carefully balance the competing interests of protecting often vulnerable residents with the interests of the charity as a whole. The webinar covered key considerations and practical guidance for setting aside appointments, including:

Trustees’ duties
Status of the resident’s occupancy
Letter of Appointment and Residents’ Handbook
Obligations and breaches during the period of occupation
Procedure for setting aside appointments
Recovering possession

Members also put 17 questions to the presenters. Powerpoint slides and a recording of the webinar are now available to all members by clicking into the links below:

Powerpoint slides: Setting aside

Webinar recording: Setting aside

Simon Stone is an Associate Solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team at Stone King LLP. Simon joined the firm in 2014 after relocating from Australia and he has a particular specialism in property matters involving charities.

Over the years Simon has acted for numerous Almshouses in respect of setting aside appointments, both advising on the legal process as well as being acutely aware of charities’ obligations and related reputational issues.

Posted 22nd April 21

“You changed my life” – Colin’s story

Colin, resident, Shepton Mallet Almshouses

Back in 2015, Shepton Mallet Almshouse trustees were midway through a comprehensive refurbishment of their mainly listed almshouses and at the time, their historic “Breadroom” which was serving as office space was also in dire need of attention.

The old ‘breadroom’ that served as offices before becoming the charity’s much needed 12th almshouse

After discussions, it was agreed that this facility would serve a much better purpose if it was relinquished and turned into a much needed 12^th almshouse, much of which would be funded through a very timely grant from the Quaker Housing Trust.

Colin says he is the good looking one on the left

The charity’s area of benefice includes a number of small villages and it was apparent from applicants (for almshouse residency) that they felt very isolated and abandoned because facilities were almost non-existent and there was an acute lack of public transport.

The Charity’s Ex-Officio got to hear about Colin, a retired soldier who rented in one of the villages who did not drive and had to catch two buses a day to get into the nearest town.

Furthermore his nearest neighbour had found that she was no longer able to cope and had taken her own life, leading Colin to feel depressed and alone.

When interviewed for the new almshouse, he emerged as the person in most need and it was decided to offer him a place.

Colin soon settled in, moved in his “library” (he has a great many books) and relishes his access to the town and particularly that he is now more easily able to see his daughter and support the Somerset and England cricket teams as an avid supporter.

Physically he probably lives just 5 miles from where he did but in reality he has moved a million miles.

He said to the trustees,

“Coming to live in an almshouse has changed my life”
Jeff Curtis of Shepton Mallet United Charities responded
“ this is why our trustees do what they do, to know that gives us immense satisfaction and our lives are irredeemably better for it.”

If you are an almshouse resident or family/friend of a resident, or a trustee and you would like us to tell your almshouse story, please get in touch by emailing karenmorris@almshouses.org

[top photos: LEFT Christmas party with almshouse residents; CENTRE Colin (left) with Treasurer Graham Cockill; RIGHT trustees and residents of Shepton Mallet United Charities]