Charity Commission Covid-19 Fact Sheets

The Charity Commission has published guidance for the charity sector on how to run your charity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Information includes:

Charity objects: understand if you can help with coronavirus efforts
Government financial support for charities
Using reserves and restricted funds
AGMs and other meetings: postponing or cancelling meetings
Holding meetings online or by telephone
Reporting serious incidents to the Charity Commission
Keeping people safe
Working with a company or business to help with coronavirus
Charity SORP guidance
Information from other organisations

Click for latest Charity Commission Covid-19 Fact Sheets

Posted 16 April 20

CEO Message 16.04.20

Dear Members

It is looking likely that we will all be facing a further three week “lock-down” and I don’t know if you feel the same, but I am astonished that it has only been three weeks so far …. it seems a lot longer. It appears we have quickly come to deal with the constraints and created our own “normal” way of working. I am aware that for many members a further three week period will become increasingly hard to cope with. Getting the delicate balance of protecting residents and respecting their independence means a lot of consultation and discussions and, as individuals, we all have our own interpretation.
I recently took part in a teleconference with the Regulator of Social Housing and was able to get a wider insight into the challenges that other small housing providers are experiencing. Along with our own members, some providers have residents that are older and vulnerable and they too are concerned that their organisation will miss out on either PPE or testing equipment when it becomes available. I wanted to assure you that the Association is making the case to the Government for almshouses ( that need it) to be recognised and included so that they are able to access PPE and testing equipment, along with any other support available to the sector. As reflected amongst our members, many small housing providers are trying to maintain their regular maintenance and safety checks where they can without putting residents at risk and there is a sense of trying to develop a ‘business as usual’ environment in a complicated world. It was clear that, along with our members, the threat remains, and systems for prevention are harder to maintain over the long term than to introduce.
I will update you on responses from Government and other partners. Our information updates regarding Covid-19 are reviewed daily for any changes in guidance, funding and support so do keep revisiting the website. From my conversations with trustees and Clerks it is clear that your patience, professionalism and care for residents is second to none and I know you will treat another three weeks lock down as another step in the road.
Do call us or email if there is anything specific we can help you with, even if it is to ask how others are dealing with a common issue. Do check our links on Covid-19 updates here.
Best regards
Nick Phillips
CEO|Almshouse Association

Posted 16 April 2020 12.10pm

Key Decisions: Board Meeting 11 Mar 2020

Key Decisions made at the most recent Almshouse Association Board Meeting are posted on ‘Latest News’ on our website for all registered member charities to access.

At the Board Meeting held on 11th March 2020 at the NCVO in London, the following Key Decisions were made:

Delegated authority was given to NP to cancel or continue events based on evidence at the time.
The Board approved/adopted the Annual Accounts for 2019 and the Annual Report subject to minor amendments discussed. The Board approved the letter of representation to Buzzacotts.
Delegated authority was given to board members to register the name change from ’The National Association of Almshouses’ to ‘The Almshouse Association’ with the Charity Commission in advance of the filing with Companies House.
Authority was given to recruit regional champions for 9 months and to roll out nationally in 2021.
The new branding and logo was approved and endorsed by the Board. Roll out timing as CEO sees fit.
Following demand for loans and grants exceeding funds budgeted the Board approved an increase in the budget available to provide restricted funds for the provision of loans up to £1,000,000 and grants up to £250,000 for 2020.

A record of all Key Decisions made at Board Meetings (from June 18 onwards) can be found in ‘Current Issues’.

Posted 14 April 2020

It is reported that there are 1.2 million chronically lonely older people in the UK and that the number of over-50s experiencing loneliness is set to reach two million by 2025/6. This will undoubtedly be exacerbated by COVID-19 with people experiencing increased social isolation and loneliness due to the current pandemic.

Arranged into 6 key topic areas below, Housing LIN has recently posted new pages on their website showcasing relevant guidance and policy instruments, useful research findings and examples of services and innovative projects that offer practical solutions in combating loneliness and reducing social isolation.

With thanks to The Mercers Charitable Foundation, the resources listed below deal with the impact that housing and support services can have on responding to these types of need amongst older people.

Click in the link below to access the Housing LIN web pages on loneliness and isolation:

https://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/loneliness-and-isolation/

Posted 14 April 2020

In the event of the death of a resident

What to do if one of your residents dies

Unfortunately, with the outbreak of coronavirus, you may find yourself having to deal with the death of a resident. We have summarised the information in Standards of Almshouse Management and Support and Care to guide you through what to do in this situation.

Please note: This guidance was published on 7 April 2020

When a Resident Dies

When a resident dies, it is the next-of-kin who is responsible for dealing with all the affairs associated with the death unless the death is intestate (there is no next of kin).

If the death is intestate, it would need to be referred to the local Social Services office who will deal with all the issues: funeral, financial, wills and clearance of the flat, subject to funds in the estate.

On death, the legal title to all of the resident’s property passes automatically to their personal representative(s), meaning their executor if they made a will, or their administrator under the law on intestacy if they died without a will.

Notifying and Registering the Death

The GP has to be informed immediately when a resident dies in the accomodation whether suddenly or following a period of illness or palliative care. The GP will certify the death and provide the appropriate death certificate and, where specified, a cremation form. If there is any doubt about the cause of death, the GP may summon the Coroner’s Officer to investigate before issuing a death certificate. If it is not possible for the certificate to be issued immediately, the next of kin will need to collect the certificate from the surgery.

If the charity is a registered or nursing care provider, the Registration Authority needs to be informed of the death, including time, date and cause of death and any referral to the Coroner.

The next of kin should be informed as soon as possible if they were not present at the time of the death.

The death has to be registered by the next of kin with the local Registrar within five days, see link:

https://www.which.co.uk/later-life-care/end-of-life/what-to-do-when-someone-dies/registering-a-death-akmbc3g27psq?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIha2Yk96h6AIViK3tCh0jmgUXEAAYAiAAEgJhEvD_BwE

The charity may also have its own internal procedure for informing the Trustees or the Clerk/Chief Executive.

Advising Staff and Other Residents

There should be a system in place to notify staff, volunteers, as well as other residents, when a resident dies.

If you believe the resident died as a result of coronavirus, you will need to contact your local health protection team to organise a deep clean of the property. You can find your local health protection team at:

www.gov.uk/health-protection-team

Clearing an Almshouse Dwelling of Personal Possessions

Usually the licence for a deceased resident officially ends when the keys have been returned and the dwelling is cleared of all possessions. Until such time, the WMC and heating charge is still charged to the deceased resident’s estate. The Trustees may wish to reconsider this during the Covid-19 outbreak and one option may be to freeze the WMC at the time of death and review it once it is safe for the dwelling to be cleared. Alternatively, trustees may opt to defer this altogether and carry this as a void loss.

The dwelling should remain locked until the ‘executor’ is able to remove the personal possessions, clear the flat of all furniture and hand over the keys. By ‘executor’, it is meant the next of kin or if the resident died without a valid will, their administrator as appointed under the rules on intestacy.

Any information held by the charity in relation to the resident’s pensions, benefits should be passed over to the executor/administrator to assist them in winding up the deceased resident’s affairs. The charity will find it useful to note the details of the executor/administrator or family members involved should there be a need to contact them in the future.

Once the government lockdown restrictions have been lifted, it is reasonable for a charity to ask that the accommodation be cleared of personal possessions within one month and all outstanding arrears, WMC & heating charge, be paid out of any money that is left in the estate.

If access is required to the accommodation prior to the keys being handed over, for example emergency repair, it is advisable that two people (trustees or staff) should enter the property and a photo inventory is taken to safe guard the charity against allegations of theft. The executor/administrator should also be informed of the entry: the names of the two trustees/staff who entered the accommodation, the time, date and the reason for the entry.

Where a resident’s death is intestate and following social services involvement, confirming that there are no funds in the estate to pay for the accommodation to be cleared, the charity will have to undertake this task at its own expense.

Who else to inform

The charity should inform the local authority in order to claim exemption from paying the council tax on the vacant flat for up to 6 months – Class B of the Council Tax (exempt dwellings) Order 1992; the benefits agency; other community organisations that the resident may have been involved with and remind the executer/administrator to inform the utility companies and instruct the post office for mail redirection.

For Further Information

Cruse Bereavement Care – www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk

NHS – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/coping-with-bereavement/

Hospice Information Service at St Christopher’s: www.stchristophers.org.uk

Macmillan Nurses: www.macmillan.org.uk

Age UK – https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsevSxfij6AIVB7DtCh2qawCWEAAYASAAEgJS3vD_BwE

Posted 7 April 2020 12:45

Coronavirus: What are our members doing?

Feeling overwhelmed with all of the advice you are reading and hearing and wondering how to put it into practice ?

The Association went out to some of our members to see what processes they’ve put in place to deal with the Covid-19 outbreak.

We received over 20 responses and have summarised some of the feedback below. At the end of this article, you can also access a pdf of full responses from some of our contributors. We hope you find it useful.

How are you supporting your vulnerable residents at this time?

Our members are making regular calls to residents either by telephone or through their call system. Those residents who prefer not to be called are contacted by text or email. The frequency of calls depends on needs of the resident – most respondents said they were calling more vulnerable residents on a more regular basis. Some of our members are also keeping in touch with friends and next of kin of their residents.

Through calls with residents and next of kin, members are prioritising their most vulnerable residents and providing additional services to them, including shopping and collecting prescriptions.

Some members are managing external services, such as newspapers and milk deliveries, to prevent the need for residents to leave their homes too often and to limit the number of delivery people accessing the site.

Some members are putting together packs of wordsearches, crosswords and quizzes to help those in isolation. Others have launched newsletters and are regularly updating their websites to keep their residents up-to-date on what’s going on.

Some members have reported that residents are also supporting each other, particularly in schemes where there is a mixture of ages where younger residents have offered to help the more vulnerable with tasks such as shopping.

What action have you taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19?

The majority of members who responded have closed their communal lounges/kitchens and are undertaking daily cleaning of other communal areas with a particular focus on door handles and rails. Where contracted cleaning staff are no longer able to attend, other charity staff have taken on this responsibility.

The majority of almshouse staff are now working from home where possible. Phones have been diverted to mobile phones so that residents can still contact staff. Where staff numbers have reduced due to illness, emergency calls are being diverted to Careline (or similar facilities).

Some of our members have chosen to lock down their almshouses and are not allowing visitors in and, in some cases, are asking residents not to go out. If your charity is looking to take a similar approach, we would suggest consulting with your residents first and addressing any concerns they might have. You should also consider whether your lockdown can be enforced bearing in mind the government restriction announced in March and the law. You should also communicate with residents regularly on the status of the lockdown. We have written about this in more detail here.

Are you residents respecting the social distancing measures? If not, how are you dealing with these?

Initially quite a few of our members found that their residents were unwilling to abide by the social distancing rules. Since the Prime Minister’s announcement on 23 March, however, the situation seems to have improved.

Many are experiencing instances where individuals are not following the government guidelines. They are reminding their residents of the importance of following the measures, though it is difficult to enforce the rules when the majority of staff are working from home.

In some extreme instances, some of our members have contacted the police to speak to individuals who are not following the measures.

How are you handling property maintenance and essential safety checks?

None of the members we received responses from are carrying out anything but emergency repairs and have communicated this to their residents. Where emergency repairs are needed, residents have been asked to stay in another room whilst they take place. Contractors are being reminded to follow social distancing rules and wear gloves/facemasks where possible. One of our members is providing their contractors with PPE packages when they’re onsite, including face masks, foot coverings, aprons and gloves.

Routine safety checks are still taking place where possible and many of our members are following the guidance published by the Regulator for Social Housing and the National Housing Federation.

www.gov.uk/government/news/rsh-statement-on-coronavirus

www.housing.org.uk/news-and-blogs/news/safety-checks-and-coronavirus/

Please note: These guidance provided by the Regulator for Social Housing and National Housing Federation were up-to-date at the point of publication (6 April 2020). Members should continue to check both websites for regular updates.

How are you maintaining contact with your residents?

Our members are making regular contact with residents by telephone, newsletters, and alerts on their websites. Where wardens are still working, some are also knocking on their residents’ windows to check that they’re ok. One of our members has said that they’re looking into the possibility of using videoconferencing tools such as Zoom and Houseparty, for their more tech-savvy residents.

How are you/or your residents interacting with community groups?

Some of our members’ residents are interacting with community groups and other support services. The most common ones mentioned were the local church, Age UK, Covid Mutal Aid and community hubs being run by the local authority. These groups are being used to help with shopping where needed and for befriending phone calls where offered.

Many of our members are handling shopping and regular contact with their residents themselves or in conjunction with their residents’ next of kin and so have not needed to use these services so far. Some are considering using them as a back-up if an individual resident’s support network is unable to provide help for whatever reason.

How are your residents managing to maintain fitness?

Residents are being encouraged to walk around the almshouse charity grounds where they exist but at different times of the day and keeping to the social distancing measures. Some charities have provided their residents with some simple chair-based exercises. The majority of member charities that responded, however, are not involved in their residents’ fitness routines during the pandemic.

How are your residents getting shopping?

Where residents are able to, they are getting their own shopping either by going out or having it delivered. Those who are not leaving their homes are having shopping delivered by friends, family, almshouse staff or local volunteers. Those who are dropping off shopping are being asked to either leave it at the resident’s doorstep or at the gates of the almshouses if they would need to access communal areas to reach the resident’s property.

One almshouse charity has set up a shop, which is being run by residents, so that they don’t need to go out for their shopping. Other charities have organised deliveries of some basic essentials to reduce the need for their residents to go out.

What are you doing to ensure you can maintain your charity and services during an extended period of lockdown?

Many of our members are continuing as usual with members of staff working from home where possible. Some already had or have put contingency plans in place to ensure the continued running of the charity in the case of staff or trustee absence due to sickness or self-isolation.

The main concern expressed by our members was around cash flow and the long term loss of income from investments and vacant properties. They are looking at what effect this is going to have on their services and what action they may need to take to mitigate this (e.g postponing cyclical maintenance work in 2020)

Some of our members are holding regular meetings with staff and trustees by phone or videoconference. This allows them to discuss potential issues and take action where possible.

A Big Thank You to everyone who has participated in this project . If you would like to share your experiences or any tips with our members, please contact Rosie Sweeney at rosiesweeney@almshouses.org.

To read the responses of those members who are happy to share their feedback publicly, please click here

Posted 6 Apr 2020 16:12; last updated 14 April 2020 13:45

Looking after your residents during the Covid-19 lockdown

This is a very challenging situation for all and many almshouse trustees and clerks are working through the difficult balance of protecting residents through reiterating guidance and advice and respecting independent living.

The Association would like to offer some guidance to help work out that balance and avoid stress to staff, residents and potential negative publicity.

We are aware that our members have taken a number of different approaches to protecting their residents, from simply reminding them of the government guidelines of social distancing, shielding and self-isolation, to full lockdowns where only a limited group of people are allowed to enter the almshouse complex.

Where an almshouse charity chooses to implement a full lockdown, we recommend that you do this in consultation with your residents and keeping in mind the current government guidelines which state that individuals are allowed to leave their homes to:

Go shopping for basic necessities and medicine as infrequently as possible
Take one form of exercise a day alone or with a member of their household
Attend a medical appointment, donate blood or provide care to vulnerable person
Travel to work if they are unable to work from home

If your charity chooses to implement a lockdown which places more stringent restrictions on your residents without their full support, you may struggle to enforce these and, where you do, you may not have the support of the courts if the matter is taken further. The only instance where your charity may be able to take action against a resident is if they are deliberately endangering others within the community or their actions fall under the terms of your letter of appointment as anti-social behaviour (e.g. they are inviting friends or family into the almshouses) and any action has to follow the usual procedures. If your residents are going out for shopping or to take some exercise, you cannot prevent them from doing this – you can only encourage them to do this in reference to the government guidelines.

We recommend keeping an eye on government guidance around social distancing and continually remind your residents of the restrictions in place. If you feel that your residents are deliberately ignoring the restrictions and you feel are putting others at increased stress and risk then you could consider reporting them to the police who will be able to speak to the resident and take further action if needed.

Members have been sharing with the Association what practices they have put in place. If you would like to read about what other almshouse charities have found is working for them, please click here

Posted 6 April 2020 15:10

Coronavirus Information and Useful Links

For the most up-to-date coronavirus news, please visit:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

These websites are updated daily with the latest government guidance and should be your first port of call for coronavirus information over the coming weeks. The BBC also offers a good overview of the latest developments at:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers.

Please note: This guidance was first published on 24 March 2020. We will be updating it as and when government advice changes or when we find new resources that could help your charity over the coming months.

Shielding, Self-isolation and Social Distancing

The government has now announced a complete lock down with severe limits to people’s day-to-day activities. You are now only allowed to leave your home:

To purchase essential supplies. This should be done as infrequently as possible
For medical reasons or to support a vulnerable person
For one form of exercise a day (this must be alone or with one other member of your household)
To travel to and from work but only if this is absolutely necessary

Non-essential shops have been closed and the police now have the power to disperse gatherings of more than two people and impose fines on those flouting these rules. These measures will apply initially for a period of three weeks (23 March to 13 April) but this could be extended.

Stricter measures are still advised in the following categories.:

Shielding

Shielding is for those who are at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus (Covid-19) because of an underlying health condition, regardless of their age. This includes:

Solid organ transplant recipients
People with specific cancers, e.g. lung cancer, leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma (please check government guidance for more details)
People with severe respiratory conditions including cystic fibrosis, severe asthma and severe COPD.
People with rare diseases and inborn errors of metabolism that significantly increase the risk of infections (such as SCID, homozygous sickle cell).
People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infection.
Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired.

People who fall into this categories will be contacted by their GP by letter no later than 29 March 2020. They are strongly advised to stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact for a period of at least 12 weeks from the day they receive their letter.

Self-isolation

If one of your residents or someone in their household has symptoms of the coronavirus – a dry cough and/or a high temperature – then the Government requires everyone in that household to self-isolate at home. This means avoiding all social contact, remaining at home and only allowing essential visitors, such as NHS or care workers. If your resident need to have something delivered or if family and friends are bringing shopping or other essentials, then they should drop them to the doorstep.

The current advice is to self-isolate at home for 7 days for anyone who is displaying symptom or 14 days if it is another member of the household.

Key Workers (statement from The Almshouse Association as at 25 March 2020)

We have been asked by members to give an interpretation of the government guidance on the status of almshouse staff and volunteers as key workers.

Following recent guidance from the Government to registered providers, we have interpreted the definition of key worker in relations to almshouse staff as follows:

Almshouses provide accommodation for residents to live independently in individual units of accommodation. There would not normally be a consistent and continuous need for a staff member to provide front line support and care for residents. Therefore, almshouse staff and trustees are unlikely to meet the current guidance and description of key worker as now set by Government.

If the organisation or individual has a role that differs from that above and/or the role of warden as stated in Standards of Almshouse Management (Ch2.) then the definition of key worker would need assessing on its own merit. For example, a care home or dedicated CQC staff team where residents may be under greater risk from communal living and the carer is front line. In these circumstances the definition as key worker may be appropriate.

We have asked the Government for clarity and will amend this guidance if necessary.

What Almshouse Charities should be doing

These measures will have a significant impact on you and your residents. We have put together some guidance on things to consider during this period:

Almshouse staff may continue to go to work if they fit with the definition of a key worker (see statement above). .

You should avoid holding any resident events or outings and close any common rooms. You may wish to keep communal gardens open but remind residents to keep at least 2 metres apart when in it.

If you or a member of staff regularly check-in on residents, you should consider contacting them by phone instead. This will allow you to check that they’re ok but limit your contact with them.

Friends and relatives of your residents should be following government advice around social distancing and self-isolation. You should consider placing notices up around your almshouses to remind visitors of the government advice. Realistically you will not be able to stop your residents from receiving visitors.

Anecdotally we have heard that it is very difficult at the moment to have supermarket shopping delivered with some supermarkets not accepting new online customers and others not having delivery slots available for the next 2-3 weeks. If this continues, you will need to look at how your elderly residents, particularly those who are shielding or self-isolating, get access to food and other essential supplies. Is there a friend or relative who can drop off food and other supplies or will trustees and wardens need to help with this?

If any of your residents receive support from carers, you should consider checking what contingency plans they have in place and remind them that these care services are necessary and should continue as normal as far as possible. Care agencies should have infection control procedures in place for their staff. If any of your residents feel that their safety is being compromised, they should let the care agency or charity know so that action can be taken.

If you have any questions about coronavirus and what other almshouses are doing, we encourage you to visit our member forum. Our members greatly value hearing from others on what has worked well for them and it’s a good opportunity to share best practice.

Supporting your residents

Whether you are a trustee or clerk, you will be worried about keeping in regular telephone contact with your residents and the feedback that we have had is that a quick call every day makes the world of difference to them. To many, this regular contact will be what sees them through this difficult time.

We have already heard from a number of members whose residents have been made redundant or had their working hours cut as a result of coronavirus. This will have implications on how or if they are able to pay their weekly maintenance contribution over the coming months. We have put together a dedicated article on this topic.

CLICK HERE TO LINK TO ALMSHOUSE ASSOCIATION WMC NEWS ARTICLE

UK Government has announced measures to support vulnerable people with their energy supplies over the coming months. Information about the measures can be found at:

www.gov.uk/government/news/government-agrees-measures-with-energy-industry-to-support-vulnerable-people-through-covid-19

The Government and the BBC have confirmed that the proposed changes to free TV licenses for over-75s due to come into force on 1 June will now be postponed until 1 August 2020. You should make your residents aware of this change.

www.gov.uk/government/news/bbc-and-governments-joint-statement-on-delaying-the-tv-licence-fee-for-over-75s.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute is issuing regular warnings on different Covid-19 related scams. It is worth keeping an eye on their website and informing your residents of any scams you think they may be vulnerable to.

www.tradingstandards.uk/news-policy/news-room

Age UK has published advice for individuals concerned about contracting coronavirus, which may be helpful to share with your residents. Visit:

www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/coronavirus/.

The charity also offers an advice helpline, which is open from 8am to 7pm each day. The number for this is 0800 169 6565.

[added to post 1 April 20]
AGE UK have also put together a helpful leaflet for elderly people, which explains the virus and action people should be taken to contain it. This can be printed off and distributed to your residents. You can download a copy at:

www.ageuk.org.uk/globalassets/age-uk/documents/information-guides/ageukig59_coronavirus_inf.pdf

The mental health charity, Mind, has developed some tips and guidance to help keep healthy during periods of shielding, self-isolation and social distancing. You may wish to share these resources with your residents. They can be accessed at:

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/.

A number of community-led initiatives, whereby people are offering to help vulnerable people in their local community with basic tasks, are being set up.

Covid-19 Mutual Aid Local Groups is one such initiative and their website lists local groups across the UK. If you feel you need some help looking after your residents, you may wish to contact the group to see if they would be willing to help. You should explain what your charity does, the type of people you support and why their help is needed.

covidmutualaid.org/

Other Local Community Support group details have been collated into a downloadable document and can be accessed by clicking in the link below:

Community Support

Please note: Many of these groups have been set up on Facebook and you will need a Facebook account to make contact with them. As far as we’re aware, none of the volunteers are DBS checked so you should limit their interaction with your residents and any exchange of money should be handled by staff or trustees at the charity.

Running your Charity

The Charity Commission has published guidance on how to run your charity during the Covid-19 pandemic. This includes information in paying your staff, using reserves and restricted funds, and holding meetings remotely.

www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-the-charity-sector

The Charity Commission has also advised that charities that are due to submit their annual return over the coming weeks but are unable to do so can request an extension. More information can be found at:

www.gov.uk/government/news/filing-charity-annual-returns-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic.

[added to post 1 April 2020]
The Charity Commission has advised that serious incidents should continue to be reported as usual under their existing guidance. No changes to their serious incident reporting guidance has been made as yet as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Charities are urged to keep an eye on the Charity Commission’s coronavirus guidance to see if this changes.

[added to post 2 April 2020]
The Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has launched a coronavirus emergency fund to help smaller charities that have been affected by the pandemic. Grants of up to £10,000 are available and details on how to apply can be found at:

www.cafonline.org/charities/grantmaking/caf-coronavirus-emergency-fund.

If you need help in applying for a grant, please contact Sue Van Leest at susanvanleest@almshouses.org.

NHS England has developed guidance on the supply and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at:

www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/guidance-supply-use-of-ppe/

[added to post 1 April 2020]
The Regulator of Social Housing is providing regular guidance to registered providers on their obligations during the Covid-19 pandemic. These updates can be found at:

www.gov.uk/government/news/rsh-statement-on-coronavirus.

[added to post 2 April 2020]
The National Housing Federation is publishing regular updates on its websites on a variety of issues affecting the housing sector during the Cobid-19 outbreak. They are also holding webinars. To find out more, visit their website at:

www.housing.org.uk/news-and-blogs/

NCVO have provided useful guidance for charities on how to support their staff and volunteers, whilst also keeping your charity running well. This information can be found at:

www.ncvo.org.uk/practical-support/information/coronavirus.

EROSH (the national consortium for older people’s housing) has put together a briefing note on supporting residents and staff through Covid-19. This can be downloaded at:

https://erosh.co.uk/supporting-older-people-staff-through-coronavirus/

[added to post 1 April 2020]
Our Panel of Consultants remain active and some are providing coronavirus advice via their websites. If you need any professional advice, you can search for professionals with experience of dealing with almshouse charities at:

www.almshouses.org/panel-of-consultants/.

Posted 24 Mar 2020

last updated 2nd April 2020 13:15

CEO Letter 2.4.20

Dear Members

I just wanted to check in with you all again before the week is out, remember, if you need to run something by us or just need to talk, please pick up the phone or send us an email – we are here to help.
We hope that our news updates are proving to be of some assistance to you, but if you need more guidance in a particular area, please tell us.
I know it is an old cliché but these unprecedented times seem to bring out the best in people. Maybe I’m just not seeing it, but thankfully, for now at least, I am witnessing very little of the worst in people.
This is such a difficult time for everyone, and being responsible for an almshouse community, where some of the residents could be more vulnerable to this particular virus, can make this time incredibly stressful. Trustees and staff are working so hard in such challenging circumstances to keep everyone safe and well.
We know many of our residents are affected by this virus either directly or indirectly and sadly we know some have succumbed to the virus just as in the wider population. Our thoughts are with their families, friends, trustees and almshouse communities at this terribly sad time.
Through our communications over the last week or so, I am struck by the strong connections that exist, not just within the almshouses but in the wider villages and towns. These connections and relationships are proving to be such a valuable lifeline in both practical and emotional support. Amongst the almshouse movement we often talk about the fact that our almshouses are mostly for independent living; ‘independent living’ – we see it as a very personal, physical or mental state – but who are we kidding? Few of us are truly independent and at times like this we are seeing how much we depend on each other.
I am hearing so many cases of how almshouse communities are supporting each other and of the local communities supporting the almshouse residents and trustees – some for the first time; young students offering to shop and fetch prescriptions for almshouse residents; local volunteer groups putting themselves forward to help in a variety of ways too, in support of the dedicated efforts of trustees, clerks and wardens. We are currently collating examples of your good practice and practical solutions that are helping to make life a bit easier for members and will be sharing these on our website shortly – there are so many.
We clearly have a long way to go before we see normality (whatever that will look like) again but if there is any good to come from this period, let’s hope people remember how much pleasure and fulfilment they felt from helping their neighbours and our almshouse communities, and long may these strong relationships be a legacy of this dreadful virus.
I will share a reflection of the independent living mentality of the almshouse world that I found thought-provoking. A member of the public I spoke to this week told me that the residents of an almshouse nearby had contacted him – putting a note through his door asking him that if he needed anything to let them know and they would find a way of helping – shopping, talking on the phone etc. Independent living maybe – but community living certainly!
Please share any good news with us as well – it means so much to us all to hear positive stories that raise the spirits and help put smiles on our faces.
Take care and stay safe.
Nick Phillips
CEO|Almshouse Association

Posted 02 April 2020 12:21

Almshouse Representation to Government

The Almshouse Association has continued to engage government during the Coronavirus pandemic to highlight the issues impacting the almshouse movement.

This week The Almshouse Association has contacted levels of government to address a number of issues:

Essential workers – we have requested clarity as to who qualifies for ‘essential worker’ status. A request has been made for almshouse employees to be considered as ‘essential workers’.

We have made an appeal for almshouse inclusion in any government support for landlords – whilst Government has made clear a desire to support landlords and tenants financially through this crisis, it is not been clear who will be entitled to support or how they will be supported. Clarity has been requested and a case has been put forward for almshouses to be considered within the support package if requested.

Universal Credit – Some of our member charities have received advice from DWP local offices detailing that charities are unable to provide financial assistance to residents below state pension age without impacting Universal Credit payments. This differs from the guidance issued 2013 (subsection 51413-51416). The Association is appealing for clarity from DWP to allow charities, who are able and wish to, to provide immediate cash support to their residents in need without this counting as an income against Universal Credit.

Posted 30 Mar 2020 ; updated 2 April 20