Good things happen in 3s!

One of Retford’s oldest institutions took the limelight on the 25th May 2023 to celebrate the opening of their five new almshouses.

Sloswicke’s Almshouse Charity, which was established in 1658, is a Registered Provider with Homes England and now has 46 properties at 4 sites in the town.

In 2017 they seized the opportunity to acquire the former joiner’s workshop adjacent to their existing properties on Union Street in Retford. The new construction in 2023 is very timely as the original almshouses were built in 1823 and refurbished in 1983. The Union Street Almshouses came to Sloswicke’s on the merger of Charities in 1982.

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The new development not only allowed the Charity to increase the number of homes they own by a further five properties, but  includes 2 bungalows which is a welcome addition to the type of homes they offer. It also presented the Charity with the chance to work with conservation architects,  Soul Architects, to redesign the area to the rear of the combined Union Street properties to incorporate communal gardens, seating areas and a scooter store to benefit all the residents. This will allow the new residents to immediately feel part of an established community.

Sloswicke’s were the first member of the Almshouse Consortium to secure a grant allocation in the 2021-26 Homes England funding programme. Other funding for the project has been provided by The Almshouse Association, The Charity Bank and Sloswicke’s own reserves.

“These properties have been a long time coming, with many hurdles overcome on the way, but we have residents lined up for all 5 which demonstrates the need and confirms that the trustees efforts will benefit members of the local community, hopefully for centuries to come”

Tim Shuldham Chair of Trustees.

Congratulations to all the trustees, staff, architects and contractors who have worked so hard on this successful project – its wonderful to see plans and funds come to fruition, adding another five almshouses to the affordable housing stock in the UK and providing warm and safe homes in the community for people in housing need – in perpetuity.

posted 7 August 2023

Further reading: Sloswicke’s Almshouse charity to build extra flats and cottages in Retford – Lincolnshire Live