Homepage for Municipal Charities of Stratford-upon-Avon
The
Municipal Charities of Stratford-upon-Avon exist to
provide low-cost, self-contained accommodation for needy, elderly people over
state retirement age. Probably the
best known group of almshouses is the Grade 1 listed fifteenth century
timber-framed building in Church
Street, adjacent to the Guild
Chapel and King
Edward
VI
School and which belongs to the
Almshouses Charity.
The
Church Street Almshouses
provide low-cost accommodation for eligible people from the Town of
Stratford-upon-Avon. In the mid-1980's
the property underwent a major refurbishment and now provides a range of
accommodation consisting of bed-sits and one-bedroom flats all of which have
their own separate kitchens and bathrooms. At
the rear of the property there is a communal lounge in which
residents meet for social gatherings. (Almshouses Charity -
Registration No. 214958)
The other
groups of almshouses, which are also located conveniently for the town centre,
are:-
-
The Emily Payne and Elizabeth Saunders
Homes, known
as Shakespeare
Court,
are located in
Guild Street. Having
undergone a refurbishment and partial rebuild in 2000 the property has twelve
flats consisting of a living room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. Two of the
flats have been specially adapted for use by residents in wheelchairs. There is
on-site a laundry room with washing machine and tumble drier. The Emily Payne and Elizabeth
Saunders Homes provide low-cost accommodation for needy, elderly people, both
from the Town and surrounding area served by Stratford-on-Avon District Council,
whose officers have an option to nominate residents for consideration by the
Trustees. (The
Emily Payne and Elizabeth Saunders Homes - Registration No. 214958)
-
The Mary Newlands Almshouses
consist of a group of four Grade 2 listed
cottages in Guild Street. Each cottage comprises a living room and
newly-fitted kitchen on the ground floor with a bedroom and bathroom on the
first floor. Each property has a small garden area and there is on-site a laundry room
with washing machine and tumble drier. The Mary Newlands Almshouses provide
low-cost accommodation for needy, elderly people from the Town of
Stratford-upon-Avon. Under the Governing Deed, residents of the Mary Newlands Almshouses are
restricted to females.
(Mary Newlands Almshouses
Charity - Registration No. 214958)
-
The John Roberts Almshouses in Brookvale Road fulfilled a wish of local builder, John Roberts, who
made a bequest that the residue of his estate be used for the erection and
endowment of almshouses for members of Stratford-upon-Avon Congregational Church
(now the United Reformed Church). He died in 1934 and the "John Roberts
Almshouses" were built and first occupied in October 1936. Priority of
tenancy is given primarily to members/adherents of the United Reformed Church
but the trustees will also consider people attending a church which is a member
of Stratford Churches Together. (John Roberts Almshouses - Registration No. 214958)
Benefits of living in one of our Almshouses
We have a small team of wardens, who operate from the Church Street
Almshouses. Making regular visits to all the
residents at Church Street
as well as the other groups of almshouses, they keep a caring eye on the
residents and provide neighbourly assistance when required.
With the help and support of residents' families and friends, they
will do their utmost to ensure that each of our residents retains his/her
independence and lives as full a life as possible. Day-trips and outings for our residents are
organised on a regular basis, some of which are laid on in conjunction with
other local like-minded organisations. In addition to providing the part-time warden service the Trustees have
equipped each unit of accommodation with a Piper Lifeline emergency telephone
unit which enables a resident to summon help at any time during the day or
night.
-
Vacancies
are advertised in the local press as and when they
occur.
-
Each
application is treated in the strictest
confidence.
-
The Trustees
regret they are unable to maintain a waiting
list.
The Trustees
of the Municipal Charities of
Stratford-upon-Avon are able to assist those in need, of all
ages, in other ways through the Stratford-upon-Avon Relief in Need
Charity. This is a charitable organisation
which distributes financial assistance to needy individuals and families, who
are finding it difficult to make ends meet and who live within the town
boundary.
There are a
number of ways in which the Charity can help members of the local community who
are on low incomes and experiencing temporary financial difficulties,
including:-
-
Annual grants and financial assistance for the
elderly
-
Educational grants (essential school trips, courses,
etc.)
-
Grants for school uniforms and other basic
items
-
Grants for essential items of furniture and
equipment
These are just
a few examples of some of the financial assistance awarded by the Trustees
during the past year. If you
think our organisation could help you in "your hour of need",
then please don't hesitate to telephone our Clerk (01789 293749), who will be
pleased to have an informal chat with you about your own personal circumstances
and the way(s) in which you think our charity could help you. Alternatively, please write to the Clerk
to request an application form, giving brief details of the financial assistance
you are seeking.
All
applications for grants and other financial assistance receive serious
consideration at regular intervals by the Trustees. (The
Stratford-upon-Avon Relief in Need Charity -
Registration No. 214958)
Enquiries for both acccommodation and
financial assistance to
:-
Mrs Ros Dobson
- The Clerk to the Trustees
Municipal
Charities of Stratford-upon-Avon
c/o 18 The
Almshouses
Church
Street
Stratford-upon-Avon
Warwickshire
CV37
9HD
Telephone: 01789 293749
Email: municharities@btinternet.com
Each
application is treated in the strictest confidence.
Last Updated: 15/3/2007
|
