News


Policy and Governance update: April 21

…– As of April 1st, it will no long be necessary for clinically extremely vulnerable people in England to shield. Taxation and Finance Budget 2021 – The Chancellor made a…

Policy & Governance update: July 21

…A heritage partnership agreement (HPA) is a voluntary arrangement for the long-term management of one or more designated historic assets. Social Housing in Wales – Julie James MS, Minister for…

Policy & Governance update: January 21

…vaccine; one for social care staff and one for older adults. This includes details on possible side effects and how it protects you. The Almshouse Association is continuing to talk…

Policy & Governance update: 01.11.21

…will remain in place for another 12 months at least Energy and Environment Heat and Building Strategy – The government has announced its long-awaited Heat and Building Strategy. The strategy…

Policy & Governance: 31.08.21 update

…be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-housing-decarbonisation-fund Community Housing Fund Opens – The long awaited £4 million fund to increase community led affordable homes has opened. The Community Housing Fund Revenue Programme 2021…

Policy & Governance: 17.01.22

…as long as they test negative on days 5 and 6.  Under the new rules, those who test positive can leave isolation after two consecutive negative lateral flow tests taken…

Pass it on - Remember a Charity

…benefits of almshouses and just how important legacies are to us and to our member charities. Please click here to read the article on almshouses featured in the Daily Telegraph…

Party Time at Sir Josiah Mason Trust!

…Executive of the Trust, David Healey (seen above) said “This was a much needed an long overdue opportunity for residents across our 3 main sites to come together with each…

P&G update: 30.11.23

…of wider efforts to help more disabled people and those with heath conditions into work, together with long term unemployed. Visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/employment-support-launched-for-over-a-million-people   Decarbonisation Fund Wave 2.2. of the Social Housing Decarbonisation…

P&G update: 27.3.23

…needs. Often a charity will have many objectives including the long term sustainability of the charity. It is not good practice to ask a resident to take on the responsibility…

P&G update: 27.09.23

…from HMRC between 10 and 19 November 2023 Click here for link to full details Net Zero by 2050 PM recommits UK to Net Zero by 2050 and pledges a “fairer” path…

P&G update: 26.07.23

…for the first time the answer to the questions posed is suggesting that local government has the power to decide if almshouses meet the terms of Sec106. We have long

P&G update: 25.5.23

…authority to grant a residential lease to a charity employee for a short periodic or fixed term tenancy The following provisions are expected to come into force by the end…

P&G update: 21.11.22

…This funding will be vital in helping housing associations to continue making progress towards their individual net zero targets and will contribute to the government’s ability to meet their legally…

P&G update: 5.4.23 - Charities Act 2022

…charity land removing the requirement for charities to get Commission authority to grant a residential lease to a charity employee for a short periodic or fixed term tenancy – (For…

Overnight visitors

…be asked to sign T&Cs similar to those used by hotels. This ensures that long stays are avoided. Boomerangs, Cuckoos and Romeos Having children is great, they are a real…

Our 75th anniversary garden party!

…our previous plans. On the day, the weather was incredibly kind to us and after such a long time of being unable to get out and meet with trustees, members,…

New online courses available

…may find you now have the time to take one or more of the courses on offer. Most are no more than 30-40 minutes long, are CPD accredited and you…

More 75th celebrations!

…redeveloped and while these eight homes were no longer suitable for life in a modern world, their location in the centre of Bedford and long back gardens meant they were…

Mopping up after Storm Babet

…Charity were quick to help clean up as soon as the flooding receded. The Charity has four short term properties all of which have extensive flooding. Unfortunately, one of these…

Moor Field: solar POWER project

…and that our first priority was to install solar panels to help negate the effects of the energy crisis we were going through at the time. Sourcing funding and inviting…

Message to members from CAF Bank

…build long-term relationships with our customers, as we believe this helps them to continue long-term relationships with their beneficiaries.” CAF (Charities Aid Foundation) Bank, April 2023 posted 12 April 2023…

Mental Health and wellbeing in the charity sector

…slowly emerge from lockdown, the sector now faces funding shortfalls, the implementation of long-term remote or ‘hybrid’ working models, and the continued adoption of new methods of service provision. This…

Members Survey Report

…we should be doing. The results of the survey will play key part in our long term strategy and has helped us identify where resources need to be focussed. The…

M & G Investments News

long-term reserves.  The key aspects of these changes that I would draw Trustees’ attention to are threefold; first, manager Jenny Rodgers will have a wider choice of different global assets…

Lynda's story

…for Littleport, helping out with minute taking, agenda writing and handling a daily stream of enquiries that came in to the office. When her predecessor retired in 1998, Lynda was…

Local lockdowns

…up earlier in the crisis (many of these may now be winding down operations as lockdowns ease but, building a relationship could prove beneficial in the long-term). Build a reserve…

Lithium batteries

Lithium batteries are generally safe and unlikely to fail, but only so long as there are no defects and the batteries are not damaged. When lithium batteries fail to operate safely…

Key Note Speakers Announced

…created by the Scottish Government to find short and long term solutions to homelessness, and was a member of the UK Government’s Rough Sleeping Advisory Panel. The Almshouse Association Members…

Its Trustee Week!

…almshouses and your residents. You are the silent heroes of the almshouse movement and we are inspired on a daily basis by the commitment and energy you give, year in…

Isolation period changes

The Government has announced that from Monday 17th January 2022, anyone with coronavirus can end their isolation after 5 full days as long as they test negative on days 5…

HRH visits Bond's Hospital almshouses

…by Michael Orten. The title of the book is ‘For so long as the world shall endure’ which was a phrase used in the Will of Thomas Bond (the charity’s…

Housing Policy & Consultations

…are being posted on our website for members’ general awareness. Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) – New housing developments to deliver nature boost in landmark move.  In a world first, developers in…

Housing Ombudsman: Press release

…They also include individual circumstances such as disability, financial hardship, and health conditions Check net zero plans – Electric heating costs more than gas. If you’re net zero strategy is pushing…

Hospital of St Cross Winchester

“‘On the Dole’ at the Hospital of St Cross, Winchester” by Jack Wilson for ‘Southern Daily Echo’ | 1 Nov 23 The Hospital of St Cross and Almshouse of Noble…

Hoarding

…may: become extremely attached to items and experience great difficulty in getting rid of possessions experience problems in social, occupational, or daily living activities experience distress and have difficulty making…

Historic Almshouses: A Guide to Managing Change

…the kind of residents changing and residents needing better, more contemporary, facilities. It is also essential that residents remain independent in their homes within almshouses for as long as possible….

Heat & Building Strategy Overview

The Government recently announced its long awaited Heat and Building Strategy. This strategy sets out the direction for decarbonisation of housing and other buildings across England as the Government looks…

Government to end Green Homes Grant

…the additional funding designated to Local Authorities. The Government must produce an effective, long-term fund which can help those both within the almshouse movement and beyond. Posted 30 Mar 21…

Government responds to Association

…should receive £400 off their bills as long as they are a domestic electricity customer, however, the response still fails to provide the necessary certainty members need for the months…

Garden Parties Galore!

…tea. The sun shone and everyone had a good time. After such a long time in lockdown it was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to meet in a relaxed and…

Founders Day celebrations at Eventide Homes

…during her term as Mayor, was amazed at the beautiful surroundings and publicly thanked the Trustees for their hard work in ensuring that the Charity is thriving today.  To find…

Flooding and extreme weather

…https://www.gov.uk/check-long-term-flood-risk Sign up for Flood Warnings: https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings What to do before or during a flood: https://www.gov.uk/help-during-flood Environment Agency: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency National Flooding Forum: https://nationalfloodforum.org.uk/ NFF, Protecting your Property: https://nationalfloodforum.org.uk/about-flooding/reducing-your-risk/protecting-your-property/ The Flood…

Ewelme Almshouse Charity talks strategy

…come from these estates. In exchange for their free board and lodging in the almshouse, the duties of the almsmen were to attend a number of daily services in the…

Eric's story

…some trustees sitting on each board of the four charities. Ensuring that the properties are well maintained and that there are sufficient long-term funds available for the trustees to work…