News


Scheme Manager

the Charity Responsibility for certain health and safety and fire safety procedures and records Be alert to potential Safeguarding cases working with the Clerk, and raise online safeguarding reports to…

Rural Housing Week

…perpetuity by their exemption from Right to Buy. Residents do not pay rent but a Weekly Maintenance Contribution which is below the average rent in the area and helps to…

Rules on holding AGMs and other meetings

…Commission of these changes.   Wherever possible, it is still hoped that members will be able to submit their annual returns online. However, if Trustees have an imminent deadline and…

RSL rent cap set at 7.7%

…Consumer Price Index figure is used to establish the limit on annual rent increases for social housing. The RSL’s Annual Rent Limit Guidance document document contains adjusted tables to help…

Royal Vice Patron presents Patron's Awards

…left £100 to buy land for their longer term benefit. Visit https://hamunitedcharities.org.uk/400th-anniversary/ to find out more. Following this, HRH visited two residents’ homes and walked through the award winning gardens…

Round&About: Wokingham news

…of your almshouse charity, highlight the benefits of almshouse living and showcase the good work of your trustees and staff, please do get in touch via gerryharmon@almshouses.org. posted February 2023…

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…

Rising Energy Costs

…available to the charity or residents. The Association is looking to work with the Government to call for charities to receive safeguards from future price fluctuations. Posted 18 October 21…

Responding to MP letters

…and I wrote to the chief executive six weeks ago, but there has been no response. I know that many other MPs and councils have raised concerns about the unresponsiveness…

Residents celebrate 90yrs with tea party

…thanks for sending in your story Donna, looks like you all had a fantastic day! To have your almshouse story posted on our website, please email karenmorris@almshouses.org posted 12 September…

Resident Liaison Coordinator Vacancy

…of applying, and would like to know more, or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Clerk by emailing clerk@georgefenthamtrust.org.uk, who will also be able…

Research Project

…as part of this important piece of research. If you have any queries regarding our research, please get in touch with Jack Baldan via jackbaldan@almshouses.org . Posted 13 Jan 21…

Research funding awarded to ARC

…450 years old and we know the difference that this housing model makes to our residents. We are delighted to have the opportunity to demonstrate this and be part of…

Rent Cap Consultation

…via jackbaldan@almshouses.org. The consultation is open until 11:45pm on 12 October 2022, however, if you would like to contribute to the Association’s submission, please do so by Friday 30th September…

Registered Providers Network Meeting

…would just like a recap on the discussions that took place. If you have any suggestions for future meetings, please do get in touch via jackbaldan@almshouses.org. Posted 25 August 22…

Registered Providers Network

…any suggestions for discussions at future meetings, then please get in touch with Jack Baldan via jackbaldan@almshouses.org. A recording of the session can be found here. Posted 26 May 22…

Regional Meetings

…your experiences and success stories with this new process. If you have any feedback or suggestions for improvement, please don’t hesitate to reach out to gerryharmon@almshouses.org. Your input will help…

Read all about it!

…– 3rd Jan 2020 The Telegraph – 4th Jan 2020 The Mail online – 6th Jan 2020 The Telegraph Letters Page – 6th Jan 2020 Note: The Association does not…

Progress report from Buchanan Trust

…Forces Community. If you wish to learn more about future Buchanan Trust projects, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Trust at https://www.buchanan-trust.org.uk/ posted 4 May 22…

Press Release: Nottingham Community Almshouse Charity

…Commission on the approval of revised schemes Design and architectural services Procuring funding. To contact NCAC, please email gemma.debrito@ncha.org.uk or HWBusinessDevelopment@ncha.org.uk Image above: NCAC-PR-22-015 William Woodsend Memorial Homes February 2023…

Policy & Governance update – March 2021

…it. Beneficiaries who receive care from family members or similar may be eligible. Energy and Environment Energy price cap to increase in April – Ofgem has announced that, that from…

Policy & Governance update: September 20

the exemption from Right to Buy which almshouses benefit from. The full Government announcement can be found here. Flood Grant Extension – The Government has announced an extension of the

Policy & Governance update: July/August 20

…who can demonstrate that the contractor will start work on cladding remediation by 31 March next year Online forms must be completed by 31 December 2020 to be considered Trustees…

Policy & Governance update: January 21

the regulator but provide warning and consideration for all almshouse charities. Members may be interested in the focus on “Quality of Stock” which many will be familiar with. We know

Policy & Governance update: 20.09.21

the public if the risk level increases. Consider asking people to work from home. Previous Policy and Governance updates: Policy & Governance: 31.08.21 update | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance update:…

Policy & Governance update: 15.10.21

…instances of anti-social behaviour or domestic violence still remain in place. More information can be found here. Previous Policy and Governance updates: Policy & Governance: 31.08.21 update | (almshouses.org) Policy…

Policy & Governance update: 01.11.21

…full strategy can be found here. Previous Policy and Governance updates: Policy & Governance update: 20.09.21 | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance update: 15.10.21 | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance: 31.08.21 update…

Policy & Governance: latest developments

online or by telephone Reporting serious incidents to the Charity Commission Keeping people safe It is also worth noting that the Charity Commission’s contact centre remains open Mon – Fri,…

Policy & Governance: 31.08.21 update

…groups will need to complete an eligibility checker on the Community Led Homes website. If eligible, groups will be emailed an online grant application form. Wales A new standard for…

Policy & Governance: 31.01.22 update

…indoor events, nightclubs, cinemas, theatres and concert halls. RECORD OF 2021/22 Policy and Governance updates: Policy & Governance: 17.01.22 | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance: 29.11.21 update | Policy & Governance…

Policy & Governance: 29.11.21 update

…Policy & Governance update: 15.10.21 | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance update: 20.09.21 | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance: 31.08.21 update | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance update: 16.08.21 | (almshouses.org) Policy &…

Planning Update from Panel Consultants Robinson & Hall

…this consultation can be sent via the online link (https://consult.levellingup.gov.uk/planning-development-management/permitted-development-rights-consultation) or via email to PDRconsultationsummer2023@levellingup.gov.uk Please note that local planning authorities have the right to withdraw Permitted Development Rights and…

Planning for an Affordable Future

…Let’s make sure that no almshouse charity is charged the affordable housing levy (I know how mad that sounds but some local authorities have tried!) There are definitely some good…

Part time Liaison Officer - Davenport Almshouses, Solihull

…friendly and supportive team environment Fully paid DBS Part-time working Contact Details Please reply in writing by email with CV to Julie Grenfell – Property Manager jgrenfell@davenportalmshouses.org.uk Tel: 01564 773407…

Panel Member invites members to free webinar

Virtual Charity Training: The essential trustee and governance in practice – Thursday 14 July 2022 – Zoom Webinar Stone Kings writes: We have developed our training programme to equip charity trustees…

P&G update: 31.10.22

…questions and comfort breaks. The interview can be in person or online and will include questions on: personal experiences of loneliness role of technology in measuring loneliness preferences for data…

P&G update: 30.05.22

…spread the cost of a TV licence, these include monthly or quarterly direct debits, or a TV Licensing payment card (which enables customers to pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly online,…

P&G update: 28.02.22

…homes. The grants will pay for energy efficiency measures such as wall and roof insulation, as well as new low-carbon heating systems, thermostats and room heating controls. We know that…

P&G update: 27.3.23

…are recognised as ‘affordable housing’ and beneficiaries of the CIL. Please do let us know if you have any thoughts on the CIL consultation – Link. – Technical consultation on…

P&G update: 27.09.23

…full details Step forward to online Lasting Power of Attorney The most vulnerable in society will be better protected as reforms to simplify and streamline lasting powers of attorney are…

P&G update: 26.10.23

…would encourage members to use this too in correspondence with MPs and Councillors: https://www.almshouses.org/mps-councillors/   Regulator of Social Housing  RSH has been running a consultation regarding the level of fees it…

P&G update: 26.09.22

…with the spiralling costs of energy. The Energy Price Guarantee is a package of measures which includes: Suspending green levies on energy bills Capping household bills to £2500 per year…

P&G update: 25.5.23

…has the power to make “authorised costs orders” following an application by a charity. Read our guidance about decision reviews and the Charity Tribunal the Commission’s scheme-making powers include making schemes…

P&G update: 23.5.22

…behalf. Please contact Jack Baldan via jackbaldan@almshouses.org with any evidence you would like to submit. Fire Safety Act 2021 comes into force – On May 16th the Fire Safety Act…