More MPs respond to 'call to alms' | The Almshouse Association

More MPs respond to ‘call to alms’

The Almshouse Association is pleased to report that MPs continue to respond to our letters regarding support for almshouse charities.

Following a letter sent by Harriett Baldwin MP to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Dowden, raising almshouse concerns during the coronavirus pandemic, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has responded to the Association.

Mrs Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, kindly wrote to the Secretary of State on behalf of The Almshouse Association following the Association highlighting the challenges that almshouse charities were facing due to coronavirus earlier this year.

The challenges included funding, coronavirus testing and the supply of PPE. The letter prompted a response in the form of a letter from Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Civil Society, Baroness Barran, writing on behalf of Mr Dowden and his department. This letter praised the work of almshouse charities during the coronavirus pandemic before going onto highlight the work that has been done to ensure that the concerns raised. The letter can be found in full here:

Covering Letter from Harriett Baldwin MP enclosing
Letter from Baroness Barran

More MP letters of support can be found below:

Letter from John Stephenson MP
Letter from Derek Thomas MP

CEO update: June 20

Nick Phillips CEO of The Almshouse Association records a short message for members to personally respond to a selection of questions he has been receiving:

Profile: New logo and branding/PR
Representation: MP engagement
Charity Commission: Definition of almshouses
Training and Seminars
Conference 2021
Research

Please click into the link below to view.

Posted 23 June 2020

Trustee Recruitment Webinar

The Almshouse Association was very pleased to be able to offer members a free webinar on Trustee Recruitment on 16th June 2020 in partnership with trustee recruitment charity Getting on Board.

The webinar, entitled ‘Essential Boardfinder: Finding the trustees you need to thrive’, aimed to give members an overview of how to recruit trustees, learn what makes a great trustee advert and plan where you’re going to find the trustees you need for your organisation to maximise your charity’s full potential.

It was the Association’s first webinar and proved to be a great success with 80 participants taking up the training offer; for some, it was their first webinar and they were surprised at how easy it was to take part.

The whole training webinar has been recorded so now all members can watch it at their convenience (see below).

‘Getting on Board’ has also made available to members the full presentation and their publication on ‘How to recruit trustees for your charity’

Slide Presentation: Essential Boardfinder

Publication: How to recruit trustees for your charity

The Almshouse Association 2021 AGM

Our seventieth AGM took place virtually on 29 September 2021 at 10am

Main Business of seventieth AGM:

Address by the Chair of The Almshouse Association, Elizabeth Fathi
Approval of minutes of sixty ninth AGM held on 1st September 2020 via webinar.
Election of Board Members was voted on by members and the following trustees were re-elected/elected:
- Meryl Aldridge
- Paul Mullis
- Tricia Scouller
- Adam Sedgwick
- Richard Waite
- Clive Cook (new)

Presentation and Approval of 2020 annual report and accounts by Simon Ling , Honorary Treasurer of The Almshouse Association.
Update and thanks from Chief Executive of The Almshouse Association, Nick Phillips.

All members were cordially invited to attend the webinar. The nominated representative for each member charity was invited to cast their vote. One vote per member charity.

To view a recording of The Almshouse Association 70th AGM held on 29 September 2021, please click here.

To view a recording of The Almshouse Association’s 69th AGM held on 1st September 2020, please click here.

29 September 21

Risk Assessment online training

35 mins | CPD accredited |IOSH approved

This online Risk Assessment training is designed to help organisations comply with Health and Safety regulations, as well as learn to and carry out structured risk assessments in the workplace.

Risk assessments are a crucial part of ensuring employees/volunteers are safe from harm and that workplace risks are anticipated and reduced as mush as is reasonably possible. By law, every employer must undertake this kind of assessment for health and safety risks within their working environment. This course gives a clear, structured overview of what a risk assessment is, as well as explaining each stage of how to perform one in a clear, step by step manner. In addition to helping with legal compliance, this course will show you how to assign ratings to workplace risks, put appropriate control measures in place and minimise the risks.

Learning outcomes

Understand the 5 steps of a risk assessment, as well as how to create a plan of action for the hazard you find
Show your commitment to The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Learn when you should fill out a risk assessment and when they are not necessary

The training course is broken down into 4 sections:

Why Assess Risks?
When Should I Assess Risks?
The 5 Steps to Risk Assessment
Risk Assessment Tool

Risk Assessment Training Certificate
The course ends with a multiple choice test to measure your knowledge of the material and a printable certificate which includes your name, name of course taken, pass percentage, date of completion and accreditation by recognised authorities.

To access your course

When you click the below login button, you will be taken through to the Training login area.
Type in your email address to log in, select the course you want to complete and follow the onscreen instructions.

NOTE – If this is the first time you have logged into the iHasco Online training area, you will be asked for your name, the name of your charity and Almshouse Association membership number. Please type in your first name and last name as you would like them to appear on your certificate.

Policy & Governance: latest developments

Housing – May 20 Summary

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) updates

MHCLG has published a letter that outlines the support that the Government has put in place for social housing residents. While the letter is not specific to almshouses, it contains several useful points, including information around moving residents in and out, changes to maintenance and gas safety work, support for vulnerable people and much more.

Other roundups – May 20 Summary

Coronavirus safer public places – urban centres and green spaces: MHCLG has published guidance for the owners and operators of urban centres and green spaces in order to help social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance provides useful recommendations for almshouses that have shared gardens on how they can be used safely.

DCMS Committee – report on the Covid-19 crisis and charities: The Commons DCMS Committee has published a report on The Covid-19 crisis and charities. The report covers the changes in quantity and nature of demand placed on charities during the coronavirus pandemic, the challenges charities face in accessing support and how charities adapt.

Adult social care and support for tenants – May 20 Summary

Provision of home care: The Department of Health and Social Care has published a collation of guidance that aims to answer frequently asked questions from registered providers, social care staff, local authorities and commissioners who support and deliver care to people in their own homes, including supported living settings, in England. This guidance is useful to any almshouse charities who have any sort of care role over their residents.

Health and safety – May 20 Summary

Gas safety: The HSE guidance now includes specific information for residents about what to expect, how engineers will work safely and what to do if you’re shielding or experiencing symptoms ( See 18 May Covid-19 update article on this) and also sets out a number of scenarios to help landlords understand what may be considered reasonable steps, to demonstrate compliance with duties to check appliances annually . Many of these scenarios are likely to apply to almshouses.

Previous Policy and Governance Updates:

Click here for Policy and Governance – Apr 2020 Summary
Click here for Policy and Governance – Mar 2020 Summary
Click here for Policy and Governance – Feb 2020 Summary
Click here for Policy and Governance –Jan 2020 Summary
Click here for Policy and Governance – 2019 Summary

Posted 10 June 2020

Almshouses represented in House of Lords

Significant levels of political engagement with almshouses during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic have continued.

The issues of proper support for almshouses has been relayed to MPs and many almshouses have received direct support from MPs at a local level. The Association hase again written to the Housing Communities and Local Government Committee.

Further: The trustee of an almshouse charity speaking in the House of Lords.

Lord Kennedy of Southwark, a trustee of United St Saviour’s Charity, declared his trustee position before contributing to a debate on the impacts of Covid-19 on housing in the UK.

The full debate can be found here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2020-05-18/debates/8F29CC1C-2D18-435E-B65A-D7C7CD63915D/Covid-19Housing.

This is not the first time in recent weeks that almshouses have been involved in official parliamentary business, with Stephen Morgan MP putting questions to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care last month.

This is another milestone in the political engagement of almshouses however there is still more to be done to raise awareness of the value of almshouses at Westminster.

Posted 10 June 2020

Covid-19 update: 28.05.20

To help our members access the most up-to-date information and guidance, we have now moved to dated updates.

This will hopefully make our coronavirus updates easier and quicker to read. We will update this page as and when new information arises and/or we develop new guidance.

You can continue to find our previous coronavirus webpage here.

For the most up-to-date Government advice, please visit:

www.gov.uk.

Thursday 28 May 2020

The Government has today launched the NHS Test and Trace service across England. The hope is that this service will help identify, contain and reduce the spread of Covid-19. Under the new scheme:

Anyone showing symptoms of the virus will be tested
If their test is positive, they will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace (most likely by text or email) and asked to provide details about their recent interactions, including household members, people with whom they’ve been in direct contact, or within 2 metres for more than 15 minutes
People identified as having been in close contact with someone who has a positive test must stay at home for 14 days, even if they do not have symptoms, to stop unknowingly spreading the virus

The NHS Test and Trace service will give clear information explaining what the identified person must do and how they can access local support services if needed. The Department for Work and Pensions has also announced that those having to self-isolate who cannot work from home will be eligible for statutory sick pay.

More information can be found at:

www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-nhs-test-and-trace-service.

Similar schemes are being implemented in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

How will this affect almshouses?

This could affect staff and residents.

If a resident is asked to self-isolate because they’ve had contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19, they may need help with things like shopping. You should contact all residents and ask them to get in touch with you if they are asked to self-isolate and determine any support they might need. Other residents won’t be required to self-isolate. If the resident starts to show symptoms of coronavirus, they will need to be tested and provide the relevant details to the NHS Track and Trace service.

If a member of staff becomes unwell or is asked to self-isolate and is unable to work from home, you will need to ensure adequate cover for their role, particularly if they have been providing support to residents during the lockdown (e.g. getting shopping on their behalf). We would recommend developing contingency plans for such circumstances.

Thursday 21 May 2020

Applications for funding under the Government’s Coronavirus Community Support Fund will open on Friday 22 May at 10:00. The £200m fund is intended to support community support to vulnerable people and to prevent the closure of essential charities and social enterprises. The allocation of funding is being managed by the National Lottery Community Fund. Details on how to apply for funding can be found at:

www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/news/press-releases/2020-05-20/statement-about-the-coronavirus-community-support-fund

MP and former leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron, has secured confirmation from Cumbria County Council that they will raise the concerns of almshouses in the region around PPE with Cumbria CVS. Almshouse charities in Cumbria who are looking for PPE can contact the Cumbria Local Resilience Forum PPE Emergency Contact Centre on 0800 783 1967 if they need help accessing PPE.

In addition to a continuous cough and high temperature, the government has added a new symptom of coronavirus to look out for – the loss or change of sense of smell or taste. If you or any of your residents experience this symptom, you should contact NHS 111 in the first instance.

Monday 18 May 2020

The government has today announced that anyone over the age of 5 who is displaying coronavirus symptoms can get tested. Details on how to request a test can be found at

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-for-coronavirus/ask-for-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus

A letter from the Minister of Housing has been send to all social housing residents in England, setting out the measures that are in place to support them during the next phase towards reopening society. Although this letter is for those who live in homes provided by Registered Social Landlords, the advice should be seen as good practice for all forms of social housing. A copy of the letter can be found at:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-letter-to-social-housing-residents

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme this year is kindness. If you or your charity would like to get involved, you can find more information at:

www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

Wednesday 13 May 2020

The Charity Commission has updated it guidance around the increased risk to charities of fraud and cybercrime during the Covid-19 outbreak. This includes a pre-recorded webinar, which can be accessed at any time.

www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-increased-risk-of-fraud-and-cybercrime-against-charities

The Government has amended the Coronavirus Act 2020 to allow people to move home. It has published specific guidance for the clinically vulnerable (e.g. those over the age of 70, those with chronic health conditions and those who have been asked to shield) and registered social landlords. The new guidance can be found at:

www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak

The government has also issued guidance for people working in, visiting or delivering to other people’s homes. The guidance is likely to be relevant to any contractors and/or tradespersons who may be working at your almshouses. It includes advice on PPE, social distancing and cleaning their work areas.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/homes

Monday 11 May 2020

Following the Prime Minister’s speech yesterday evening, the government has today published more details on its plans to ease the current lockdown. The details can be found at:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy.

The government has also published some FAQs on what this means in practice for the public. You may wish to distribute these to your residents.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

click here for April updates

Posted 11 May 2020, last updated 28 May 2020

Conflict of Interest: guarding against a potential for conflict of interest

This is an area that we come across a great deal more than one may expect.

Conflict of interest really only comes under scrutiny when something goes wrong, however when business planning, it is good practice for trustees to assume that any conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest should be identified and raised as soon as it is considered. This means that the board of trustees should be constantly vigilant to “potential” conflict.

Francesca Quint a very experienced lawyer specialising in almshouses has given some helpful advice.

“The law relating to conflicts of interest can be summarised as follows.
There are two fundamental principles originally developed in relation to trusts but now applicable to all charities and all companies:
(i) A Trustee (or equivalent) must not benefit from his trust, unless this is specifically authorised by the governing document, the general law or the Charity Commission/Court.
(ii) A Trustee (or equivalent) must not allow himself to be placed in a situation where his personal interest conflicts or may conflict or may be perceived as conflicting with the interest of the Trust (or charity or company).
The first question is to identify a conflict or potential conflict. This occurs where the trustee stands to gain personally from a decision or transaction, where someone for whom he is responsible or towards whom he owes an obligation or is otherwise connected with him will be affected, or where he has a duty towards a third party which may conflict with the charity’s interest.
The next step is for the Trustee to declare the conflict, which should be recorded. For a continuing conflict a register of interests may be kept by the charity.
The third step is for the Trustee and the other trustees to decide how the conflict should be managed. This will depend on the severity of the risk to the charity, the charity’s need for information and the degree to which avoiding the conflict (e.g. by the trustee being absent from meetings on the subject) will hamper the work of the charity.
There are a range of possibilities e.g.

The trustees absent himself from all discussion and decision-making on the matter and is not counted in the quorum for that item.
The trustee is invited to remain for the discussion part of the meeting in order to provide information but leaves the meeting for the actual decision-making.
In addition to his being absent from the decision-making, minutes and other documents relating to the matter are not supplied to the trustee in question.
The trustee resigns his trusteeship on the basis that it is incompatible with his interests (or those of people he is connected with).

The charity’s interests must always be and be seen to be paramount in trustee decision-making.
Francesca Quint | Barrister specialist in charity law

The Charity Commission publishes guidance on the subject, which trustees should read. The guidance recommends that all bodies of charity trustees adopt a conflict of interests policy.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/conflicts-of-interest-a-guide-for-charity-trustees-cc29

First published in Winter 19/20 Almshouses Gazette

75+ TV Licence update

It is understood that the BBC is still looking to withdraw free TV licences for the over-75s who are not on pension credit from 1 August 2020.

This has prompted some of our members to contact the TV Licensing Help Centre for guidance on how to apply for TV licences for their residents – particularly if the charity has an ARC concessionary TV licence.

The feedback our members have received and the information published on the TV Licensing website has not been consistent and the Association is in the process of obtaining clarification from the BBC.

In the meantime, our understanding is as per the below:

As of 1^st August 2020, residents who are over 75 years of age and who live in an almshouse with an ARC TV licence will have to pay the concessionary fee of £7.50 unless they are on pension credit. The charity will need to add the resident to their existing ARC scheme if they have not already done so.

If a resident is already 75, or will turn 75 before 1 August 2020, they can apply for a free TV Licence to cover them up until 31 July 2020. The free licence has to be applied for and residents will not automatically get one on their 75th birthday. If the resident is not in receipt of pension credit and does not live in an almshouse with an ARC licence, they will need to pay for a full TV licence from 1 August 2020.

For current information please refer to the link below:

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/aged-74-and-over-aud3

The Almshouse Association will update this information following clarification from the BBC.

Posted 21 May 2020