Sir William Turners Almshouses
Founded over three hundred and thirty years ago, Sir William Turner’s Almshouses provided sheltered accommodation for elderly people and orphans. A voluntary Board of Trustees now runs the Almshouses as a registered charity and provides individual retirement homes for up to thirty people. Residents stay independent with the support of a resident warden and take part in activities ranging from Yoga classes to music evenings organised by the Resident’s Association.
Unfortunately, the beauty and magnificence of the original 17th century building obscured its continuing deterioration and between 2000 and 2002 a huge renovation project took place. Yet, as Peter Sotheran, Chairman of the Board of Trustees acknowledges, during this capital development project he “just didn’t know what to ask.” When Peter heard about the Places for Everyone programme he saw an opportunity both to raise more money for the project and update his knowledge of building requirements and funding application procedures.
“It was an excellent experience. All the people we have dealt with...have been first rate."
With 97% of the income of the hospital coming from voluntary donations, Peter was determined to find new sources of funding. After attending a workshop, initial diagnostic session and one-to-one consultancy support, Peter now feels he understands the availability of resources accessable to voluntary organisations. With help from the Places for Everyone toolkit, he has been able to develop a tailored database of potential funding resources with over 140 entries.
"One of the greatest indirect benefits of the programme was finding funding for a variety of other projects."
Peter has also utilised the £1,600 Feasibility Fund, secured through the programme, to employ a new staff member who has worked on securing funding from a number of bodies. The knowledge and skills Peter acquired during the workshop have allowed him to “sharpen up” his funding applications: “they are more successful than in the past.” Indeed, his success has spread to other areas of the organisation: “One of the greatest indirect benefits of the programme was finding funding for a variety of other projects. We secured funding from the International Tree Foundation to plant a wood around the Almshouses.”
One piece of advice Peter followed from the Places for Everyone programme has proved particularly successful: “We met with the Senior Officer and Building Regulations Officer of the Town Hall Planning Department and they appointed a Champion to oversee the Almshouses project. This has been hugely beneficial and without the Places for Everyone programme it wouldn’t have happened.”
"The programme did everything it said on the tin."
Peter expects the work on repairing some of the building’s priceless features, such as the Chapel window, will begin in early Spring of 2011. The lowered maintenance costs and improved living conditions for residents are just two of the many benefits of finding funding. Peter’s praise for the Places for Everyone Programme reflects the positive impact it will have on the Almshouses: “It was an excellent experience. All the people we have dealt with, from the PNE staff to the individuals who ran the workshops, have been first rate. The programme did everything it said on the tin.”
