The Almshouse Association

27/10/2026

👑 A Royal Welcome to Our New Home in Windsor!

What a special day for The Almshouse Association! On 20 October, we were honoured to welcome His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester to officially open our new headquarters, Leonard Hackett House, in Windsor.

As we celebrate our 80th anniversary, this was a wonderful milestone and an opportunity to look ahead to the future of the Association and the almshouse movement. His Royal Highness toured our new offices and took time to chat warmly with staff, Board members, and trustees and residents from local almshouses, including Ellison House Almshouses and Penny Royal Almshouses. The celebrations included the cutting of a special anniversary cake and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion. Our Chief Executive, Nick Phillips, described it as an “absolute honour and a wonderful privilege” to welcome His Royal Highness, whose warmth made the day so memorable for everyone.

We’re delighted to begin this exciting new chapter in Windsor, continuing to work alongside our members to celebrate and champion the vital role almshouses play in providing safe, affordable homes and strong communities.

https://www.almshouses.org/news/a-royal-welcome-at-leonard-hackett-house/

19/10/2026

🏡 Transforming Fairfield House almshouses

New windows, brighter rooms and more comfortable homes!

Maldon Housing Association received a £100,000 interest-free loan from The Almshouse Association to replace the ageing windows at Fairfield House.

The improvements have reduced draughts and traffic noise, made windows easier to operate and are expected to improve energy efficiency — helping residents feel more comfortable in their homes.

Discover how the project was delivered with residents at the heart of the work.

🔗 Read the full story: https://www.almshouses.org/news/transforming-fairfield-house-almshouses/

19/10/2026

Hugh Bonneville Thank you for shining a light on the wonderful work of our almshouse charities. We’re delighted to have you as an Ambassador and grateful for your support in raising awareness of the vital role almshouses continue to play in providing safe, secure homes and a sense of community. Thank you for taking the time to visit College Square Almshouses and meet the residents and trustees.

13/10/2026

A bold vision for the future of almshouses in Tavistock
Willie Hartley Russell MVO DL, Chairman, and Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association, were welcomed to Tavistock by Dick Sale, Chairman, and Karen Woodward, Clerk, to discuss exciting plans for the 700-year-old Tavistock Ford Street and Maynard Charity.
The charity’s proposed project represents an ambitious vision for the future, responding to a pressing need for more affordable, community-led housing. With 620 people reportedly waiting for affordable housing in this small Devon town, the scale of the challenge is stark.
The trustees’ commitment to building more almshouses could represent the most significant development in the charity’s 700-year history, helping more people access a secure home while continuing its longstanding service to the local community.
It’s an inspiring example of how almshouse charities can honour their heritage while finding new ways to meet today’s housing needs.
📸 Pictured: Willie Hartley Russell, Karen Woodward, Dick Sale and Nick Phillips; Nick and Willie also spent time with Diane, an almshouse resident.

08/10/2026

Tackling damp and securing homes for the future 🏡

Historic buildings need the right care to stay safe, comfortable homes for the people who live in them.

Lybbe’s Almshouses in Goring-on-Thames faced damp problems that called for a carefully considered approach. The charity needed to address the causes of the damp while protecting the character of its historic properties.

A £40,000 loan from The Almshouse Association helped fund essential works, including removing cement rendering and gypsum plaster and replacing them with breathable, lime-based materials.

This case study shows how practical financial support can help almshouse charities overcome challenging repairs, protect historic buildings and continue providing homes for the future.

📖 Read the full case study on our website:
https://www.almshouses.org/news/lybbes-almshouses-tackling-damp-and-securing-homes-for-the-future/

30/09/2026

A different perspective - by Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association
On my way to a meeting last week, I found myself drawn to look through the windows of a building I was passing. Inside was an amazing, light-filled model world that immediately caught my attention. I stopped for a moment to take it all in, only to realise that this was, in fact, the very place where my meeting with Thomas Heatherwick and Abigail Scott Paul of Humanise, was taking place.

In their own words, Humanise are “small team with a global mission to fight for the buildings and cities we need: ones which are radically more interesting, joyful and human”.

I was expecting the usual office setting: a reception desk, a few chairs, perhaps a magazine rack. If you’re lucky, there might even be a water cooler or coffee machine. What I encountered was a jolt to the system – and a very welcome one, and what followed was an energising exchange of ideas that sparked something, challenged my thinking and left me seeing things from a different perspective.

I am lucky enough to have a very interesting and enjoyable job and, in my job, to meet some genuinely interesting people. And occasionally, I leave a meeting feeling truly inspired – an overused word I know, but one that feels entirely appropriate today. For me, inspiration is when someone lands a message or an idea that makes me pause and rethink, reconsider or even reimagine something I thought I already understood. It’s that rare moment when a conversation shifts your perspective and makes you see something familiar in a completely different light.
Click to read more
https://www.almshouses.org/news/a-different-perspective/

28/09/2026

Raising the roof at Lady Lumley’s Almshouses 🏡

When extensive water damage threatened the homes of residents at Lady Lumley’s Almshouses in North Yorkshire, The Almshouse Association was able to step in with a £75,000 interest-free loan to help fund essential repairs.

The project involved completely replacing the roofs of all 12 almshouses, addressing the internal damage and securing the future of these historic homes.

For a small charitable trust, raising the funds for such a major project was a significant challenge. Alongside a £550,000 loan from Charity Bank, the Association’s support helped make the work possible.

Completed on time and within budget, the project means these 12 homes can continue their 370-year legacy of providing safe, affordable and dignified housing.

This is what your support makes possible. Donations and gifts in Wills help us provide loans and grants to almshouse charities when they need them most.

Supporting and representing independent almshouse charities across the UK since 1946

24/09/2026

80 years of The Almshouse Association — and back to where it all began.

On 21 September 2026, we marked The Almshouse Association’s 80th anniversary with a very special day of thanksgiving and celebration at Southwark Cathedral, the place where the Association’s story began in 1946.

80 guests gathered to celebrate eight decades of service to the almshouse movement and to look ahead to its future. Supporters, researchers, ambassadors, member charities, staff and board members came together for a memorable afternoon and evening.

Guests enjoyed bespoke tours of the cathedral, explored a fascinating collection of archives and heard stories from some of the founding charities whose histories are intertwined with our own.

We were particularly moved by Bett Llewelyn’s story of finding a beautiful home and renewed sense of community at Appleby Blue almshouse – a powerful reminder of the difference almshouses continue to make in people’s lives.

Nick Phillips, our CEO spoke of the great passion that started the Association and the real challenges that remain for our current period of stewardship. Chairman of United St Saviour's Charity, Martyn Craddock, Chris Wilson, Chairman of Southwark Charities and Sarah Oliver of spoke warmly about their charities and the impact they are making to people’s lives. Association Chair, Willie Hartley Russell MVO DL, reflected on the Association’s remarkable history before welcoming our new ambassador, renowned actor Hugh Bonneville.

Hugh spoke with passion about his support for the almshouse movement and how much he is looking forward to getting involved. He then had the honour of cutting our 80th anniversary cake. The celebrations continued with a beautiful Evensong service, with music and readings reflecting the themes of charity, compassion and shelter, followed by a toast to The Almshouse Association in the cathedral’s beautiful Retrochoir.

Our heartfelt thanks go to our founding charities, supporters, ambassadors, trustees, members and everyone who has helped shape the Association over the past 80 years. And special thanks to the Dean, clergy, choir and team at Southwark Cathedral for such a generous and memorable day.

80 years on, the commitment to almshouses and the communities they serve continues.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Insurance Brokers Limited, W1M Wealth & Investment Management and Winckworth Sherwood LLP

14/09/2026

Just one week to go!

In just seven days, we will celebrate 80 years of The Almshouse Association at the historic Southwark Cathedral – where it all began in 1946.

We will be joined by representatives from some of our original founding charities, alongside member charities, special guests and friends from across the almshouse movement, as we come together to celebrate eight decades of community, hospitality and friendship.

Our special 80th anniversary event has been kindly sponsored by Grout Insurance Brokers Limited, Winckworth Sherwood LLP and W1M Wealth & Investment Management.

We can’t wait to celebrate this remarkable milestone together.

17/08/2026

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgdmz0n0d2o

Ewelme featured on BBC news - great article! Well done to all involved.

The medieval power couple behind early affordable housing - with divine strings attached.