What is an almshouse – and why do we need them?
- jennicollins
- Sep 22
- 3 min read
The Newbury Almshouse Trust is lucky to be based in the beautiful town of Newbury, home to more than its fair share of almshouses! We’re often asked what an almshouse is, and why there are so many here in Newbury.
Almshouses have been around for over 1,000 years, and our own St Bartholomew’s Hospital was founded around the time of King John and the Magna Carta, in 1215. They aim to provide warm, safe and secure houses at an affordable cost for local people. Hundreds of years ago, wealthy people from a town would leave money in their wills to build homes for poor people, widows or others in need. Sometimes they would also leave instructions to provide coal, clothing, or for sermons to be read for the benefit of the residents. These houses would usually carry the name of the benefactor.
In modern times, almshouses still exist. Sometimes based on these historical trusts and charities, and sometimes they have a more recent origin. Whatever their history, they aim to provide housing to local people in need. Most almshouse trusts or charities are small, with fewer than 20 cottages, and run by volunteers. Newbury Almshouse Trust has 42 properties providing warm, safe homes to residents. Our trustees are all volunteers.
Why do we need almshouses?
With the cost of living crisis and rising homelessness, we need almshouses more than ever. Almshouses provide homes that only cost a reasonable Weekly Maintenance Charge, to those who would struggle to secure a property elsewhere.
Almshouses also offer a wonderful community that can be a great help to residents. Often with shared gardens and communal spaces, there are plenty of opportunities to meet people and, in some cases, help fellow residents. Newbury Almshouse Trust has a communal garden in Upper Raymond’s Almshouses that has not only been fun and rewarding for our residents, but has provided them with chutneys and fresh fruit and vegetables!
Research has shown that almshouses have a huge effect on combating loneliness and isolation and improve well-being. Living in an almshouses can also have an impact on your life expectancy![1] Sometimes called ‘micro-communities’, they offer companionship and security and, because of the longevity of the charities and trusts, remain a permanent part of their towns and cities. Generation after generation of people in housing need have a warm, safe place to call home in their local community.
Why does Newbury have so many almshouses?
There certainly seems to be a large amount of almshouses in Newbury, compared to similar size towns. In fact, the only town with more almshouses per head is Circencester, according to research undertaken in the 1980s![2] Is it because of our weaving history? Newbury was a wealthy town in the 15th and 16th centuries, because of quality of its cloth.[3] Almshouses benefited from the gifts of several affluent clothiers. However, other notable businessmen throughout the years have also gifted almshouses as part of their legacy, including Philip Jemmett, a wealthy brewer whose grandson, Jemmett Raymond, gave his name to both Upper and Lower Raymond’s Almshouses. It’s still unclear why Newbury has so many, but perhaps it shows the community-focused nature of the town, as residents have been so keen to keep our almshouses a part of our history, and our future.
Newbury Almshouse Trust currently has vacancies! If you're aged over 55, have lived in the Newbury area for over three years and are struggling to find accommodation within your means, this could be a great opportunity for you to find a reasonably priced home in the area.
Our almshouses, in the centre of Newbury, offer modern facilities, a friendly community and the support of the Trust. Our one-bedroom houses are single occupancy, and applicants must be physically independent due to the nature of the property.
Please email admin@newburyalmshouses.org for an application form.
[1] https://www.bayes.citystgeorges.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2023/may/living-in-an-almshouse-boosts-life-expectancy-study-finds
[2] The Almshouses of Newbury, P F Wood, West Berkshire Museum.
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