The Almshouse Association Award winners announced

The Almshouse Association Awards were created to distinguish and honour the many wonderful innovations and developments taking place throughout our membership that both benefit almshouse residents and raise the profile of the almshouse movement.  

The coronavirus pandemic meant we had to put the 2019 and 2020 Patron’s Award and The Award for Excellence and Inspiration on hold. We are delighted to say we can now announce the 2019 and 2020 winners of these Awards, alongside the Gardens and People Awards for 2020.

THE PATRON’S AWARD 2019/20 – Winnocks and Kendalls Almshouse Charity, Colchester, Essex

In 2015 the charity received planning permission to replace nine old bungalows with new, modern almshouses.

The new almshouses are in keeping, but not identical to, the early twentieth-century almshouses on the site and opposite. They have integrity and authenticity and similarly maintain the pre-eminence of the listed terrace. Bringing the western end of the site back into use was crucial, ensuring the charity can continue to maintain the listed buildings in its care.

Each apartment is light and airy with an open-plan kitchen and living areas. They were developed with accessibility in mind and internal detailing throughout is ideal for almshouse accommodation.

THE 2019 EXCELLENCE AND INSPIRATION AWARDS

William and Julia E Chafyn-Grove Charity, Zeals Almshouses, Zeals, Wiltshire

Zeal’s Almshouses has achieved a successful environmentally friendly restoration and building programme on three out of their four almshouses, and the building of a fifth almshouse. Their long-term project has been completed using all the correct materials and has created comfortable and appealing homes.

Hurst Consolidated Charities, Hurst, Wokingham, Berkshire

Over the past 20 years, the Charity has invested in upgrading and refurbishing its almshouses.  In 2017, they decided three apartments could be sensibly fitted in the site space available. The design was intended to complement the existing almshouses on the site and sits well in the street scene.

In addition, the garden area was planted with lawns, hedges, and flower beds, some of which are allocated to and tended by the residents.

THE 2020 EXCELLENCE AND INSPIRATION AWARDS

The Charity of Elizabeth Wadsworth, Calderdale, West Yorkshire

The project undertaken was to refurbish the Grade 2 listed railings and reopen the original Right Of Way. Part of the stone wall at the footpath entrance to the ROW had to be demolished and a gap was created for the new gate. Suitable replacements were found for the finials, and the welding and bespoke gate was conducted by a local fabricator.

W.C. Lee’s Resthouses, Windlesham, Surrey

The project entailed the development of single-story side extensions to provide separate bedrooms for two of the almshouses, following the demolition of two outbuildings. The works took approximately 12 months.  Despite the delaying effects of the pandemic, No.1 was complete and occupied from January 2020, whilst No. 6 was finished and occupied from August bank holiday 2020.

Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities, Bond’s Lodge, Coventry, West Midlands

A newly built three storey development offering 45 self-contained apartments together with a communal lounge, mobility scooter storage, laundry, guestroom, and courtyard garden. The building, started in November 2018 and was completed on 3rd September 2020.

Bond’s Lodge is built on the tried and tested 3 sided almshouse model. This results in a private garden area that can be seen by the majority of residents from their apartments and when walking along the corridors. It consists of 28 single bedroom and 17 double bedroom flats and has a large atrium entrance with bi-fold doors opening into the communal garden.

Hugh Sexey’s Hospital, Bruton, Somerset

The Blackford Room replaces a historic reception room that doubled up as the meeting room for trustees and a community room for residents, which was not big enough and lacked design features to support older residents.

The new room provides residents with a facility where they can meet and socialise. It’s a large, airy space which has been designed to meet the social and support needs of older people. The contemporary design uses only traditional materials and its styling ensures the historic buildings remain the dominant feature.

THE GARDENS AND PEOPLE AWARDS 2020

Jesus Hospital, Ravenscroft Lodge, The London Borough of Barnet

The project included 7 single storey almshouses at an existing almshouse development with extensive external works and landscaping. Each property has an area of flower beds for the residents to maintain and enjoy. Also attached to each unit is a bike rack holder.

The Eleanor Hirst Trust, Wilshaw, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire

The Eleanor Hirst Trust owns six Grade II listed almshouses in blocks of two. In 2018/2019 substantial refurbishment of the almshouses were undertaken, ensuring the character of the listed buildings was retained. The setting of the almshouses is very secluded and private. The gardens and views are spectacular. Above all the work has enabled the community spirit to thrive.

Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities, Bond’s Lodge, Coventry, West Midlands

The trustees are fully aware of the benefits a garden can bring to residents and their visitors. The central courtyard garden was developed with a circular lawn area and paths linking the various doorways with numerous flowerbeds and seating areas. Two bronze sculptures take pride of place within the garden.  A living wall was installed and this created a green ‘lung’. It has transformed what would have been a stark brick wall into an imposing display of plants and flowers.

Wivenhoe Housing Trust, Jonathan Feedham Court, Wivenhoe, Essex

Initiated in 2017, the aim of the project was to enhance the lives of residents at Jonathan Feedham Court, Wivenhoe.

The trustees turned an existing drab courtyard into a beautiful communal area for the residents.  The courtyard is now a space for residents to relax and socialise in and promotes physical health through exercise and mental well-being by taking a greater interest in plants and gardening.

Local News item: Wivenhoe almshouse design given special award | Gazette (gazette-news.co.uk)

Huge congratulations go to all award recipients. Details of our 2022 awards will be posted on our website and in the Almshouses Gazette when finalised.

Posted 12 July 22