News


Policy & Governance update: July 21

…still seeking to work with Historic England on producing a specific guide focused on almshouses. London Mayor declares a “retrofit revolution” to tackle the climate emergency – The Mayor of…

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: 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: 16.08.21

…is backed by £3.45m in funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and is intended to help speed up energy-efficiency work in social housing across the country….

Policy & Governance update: 15.10.21

…awareness of fraud and cybercrime affecting the sector and to create a safe space for charities and their supporters to talk about fraud and share good practice. Wales Six-month notice…

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

…the coronavirus pandemic. It is clear that the safety of buildings remains a top priority and measures have been put in place to ensure that vital work can continue and…

Policy & Governance: latest developments

…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…

Policy & Governance: 31.08.21 update

…December 2021, whichever occurs first. The programme will close in March 2022 – all work funding by the grant must be completed by this date. To apply for the fund,…

Policy & Governance: 31.01.22 update

…update: 01.11.21 | Policy & Governance update: 15.10.21 | Policy & Governance update: 20.09.21 | Policy & Governance: 31.08.21 update | Policy & Governance update: 16.08.21 | Policy & Governance:…

Policy & Governance: 19.07.21

…provide relief to those in need. Almshouses have provided this high standards as cornerstones of the communities they work in for hundreds of years, we must strive to continue this…

Planning for an Affordable Future

…more effectively if properly applied and standardised and not negotiated and haggled down by the best lawyers. Also, it does not properly prioritise community housing and truly affordable housing, with…

Partnership ensures completion of Calderdale almshouse refurb

work and retain their character while incorporating thermal efficiency improvements. The internal refurbishment task was a joint effort undertaken by the almshouse trustees, The Almshouse Association who loaned £60,000, Calderdale Council through…

P&G update: 31.10.22

…the fine work that almshouse charities carry out in their communities. New Secretary of State for Department of Levelling-Up, Housing and Communities – Michael Gove has been re-appointed as Secretary…

P&G update: 30.11.23

…the Local Authority Housing Fund, which whilst most commonly used by Local Authorities to build homes, does provide scope to work with other housing bodies. https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-authority-housing-fund  Countdown to Deadline Day:…

P&G update: 30.05.22

…their website along with a wide range of FAQs. SEE ALSO: Training: ARC TV Licences | (almshouses.org) WALES Final coronavirus restrictions removed – The Welsh Government is removing the final…

P&G update: 28.04.22

…it classifies charities’ operations so that it can better understand and analyse the charity sector. Under the proposed changes, almshouses would be specifically noted alongside a member’s operations. This does

P&G update: 27.3.23

…is the Community Infrastructure Levy Technical Consultation. Although there is no direct opportunity to comment on affordable housing definition, we will work with DLUC to to ensure that almshouse charities…

P&G update: 27.09.23

…Second 2023 to 2024 Cost of Living Payment dates announced Millions of households across the UK will receive £300 directly from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) between 31…

P&G update: 27.06.22

…almshouse movement. The white paper does define ‘Renters’ as including licensees and so the Association will be seeking clarification on the government’s intentions. The white paper can be found here….

P&G update: 26.10.23

…the LibDems are pledging to build at least 150,000 new council and social homes a year.  The Green party in Brighton pledged to ensure a home that’s “warm, safe and…

P&G update: 26.09.22

…support will be applied to all bills by suppliers, and you will not need to apply for it to take effect. – Our full article on the support can be…

P&G update: 25.7.23

…Friday from The House of Commons as part of their familiarisation homework. We hope this is a precursor to further discussions around the subject. Other work is on going in…

P&G update: 25.01.23

…the team here, have been able to make we have made our concerns apparent, although there is still work to be done and we will be responding clearly and robustly…

P&G update: 23.5.22

…apply to England only. Information does not need to be shared until 23rd January 2023, in the meantime, members should look to work towards compliance. RECORD OF PREVIOUS 2021/22 Policy…

P&G update: 22.08.23

…trustees. We have made the case that trustees already have a personal responsibility to the charity and the effective and safe running of the almshouses. We further discussed a typical…

P&G update: 22.08.22

…they work. More information can be found in the Commission’s newsletter here. Commission clarifies bullying and harassment roles and responsibilities – The Charity Commission has clarified respective responsibilities in preventing…

P&G update: 21.11.22

…a problem with the quality of some housing that must be fixed. We want to address this urgent issue, learn where things are going wrong, and work with you to…

P&G update: 21.03.22

…Governance: 29.11.21 update | Policy & Governance update: 01.11.21 | Policy & Governance update: 15.10.21 | Policy & Governance update: 20.09.21 | Policy & Governance: 31.08.21 update | Policy &…

P&G update: 16.05.22

…latest update can be found below and previous updates are listed at the bottom of the page. GOVERNMENT Department of Work and Pensions to restart transition to Universal Credit –…

P&G update: 15.12.22

…ceiling. This ceiling would apply to both Social Rent and Affordable Rent homes; applies an exception to the 7% ceiling for Supported Housing; does not apply the 7% ceiling to…

P&G update: 8.08.22

…on how the scheme will be delivered has still not been provided. Those with standard electric tariffs will see a £66 discount applied to their energy bill in October and…

P&G update: 7.2.22

…Governance: 17.01.22 | (almshouses.org) Policy & Governance: 29.11.21 update | Policy & Governance update: 01.11.21 | Policy & Governance update: 15.10.21 | Policy & Governance update: 20.09.21 | Policy &…

P&G update: 6.3.23 - Energy Bill Relief Scheme

applied just before Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and have almost halved since the current scheme was announced. The new scheme therefore strikes a balance between supporting businesses over the next…

P&G update: 5.4.23 - Charities Act 2022

…enough or raise too much There are now simpler requirements for trustees to follow if an appeal does not raise the amount needed to deliver its aim, raises too much…

P&G update: 04.04.22

…are struggling. RECORD OF 2021/22 Policy and Governance updates: 21.03.22 | 7.03.22| 28.02.22 | 7.2.22 | 31.01.22 | 17.01.22 | 29.11.21 | 01.11.21 | 15.10.21 | 20.09.21 | 31.08.21 |…

P&G: 17.10.22

work with us and support our members. Signs would seem to suggest that the new administration may not be as interested in genuinely affordable housing as it is in growth….

Overnight visitors

…real issue is that unless the managers know who is on site there is uncertainty as to whether everyone is safe. This reason alone is justification for Trustees to have…

Our 75th anniversary garden party!

…supporters and ambassadors, it was just so wonderful to be able to ‘step outside’ and greet old friends again! The day started at 12.30 (slightly earlier for Association staff setting…

Olfactory Dysfunction in older people

…The impact of olfactory dysfunction on people’s physical and mental health, wellbeing and safety is significant.  People can often experience poorer mental health by being unable to smell their partners…

Old Windsor United Charities

…of someone who lives in the Parish of Old Windsor. Contact Details Clerk to the Trustees 36A Crimp Hill Road Old Windsor Berkshire SL4 2QY Email: clerk.owuc@gmail.com Tel: 07444 486794…

Ofgem Energy Redress Scheme

…support households most at risk from cold homes and high energy bills, or that work on innovation and carbon emissions reduction across England, Scotland and Wales. Ofgem’s enforcement and compliance…

News from the Charity of Ann Edwards

We always enjoy hearing from our members and its been great to work with Clerk to the Trustees, Kathryn Warner, who has been sending in stories and photos of the…

New Seminar: Looking after your residents

…residents.  Mental Health – We will explore an area of mental health, the issues, looking out for the signs and where the charity can find help.  Setting Aside – Looking at when…

New sculpture for Bond's Lodge almshouses

…minister Pauline Warner, who discussed her friendship with Wagstaffe and Beryl. Pauline said “I work at Abbey Park Methodist Nursing home in Whitley, and it was there that I first…

New online courses available

Health and Safety Basics and Essentials – NEW Fire Awareness – NEW GDPR Essentials Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Mental Health Awareness If you have any problems accessing, please do give us…

New John Morden Centre making big news

…new building by RIBA (yahoo.com) RIBA Stirling Prize 2023 (architecture.com) Managers and leaders only: Britain’s best new building is a retirement home with entry requirements | Architecture | The Guardian…