THE newly appointed head of a major organisation is always conscious of the legacy they have inherited.
But there are few people who can look back more than a thousand years to the origins of the group they now lead.
That is the case for Willie Hartley Russell, the new chairman of The Almshouse Association, whose appointment really is something of a coming home. He has been a dedicated member of the charity’s Board of Trustees for 20 years, serving in significant roles as Chair of sub-committees, and as vice chairman of The Almshouse Association for the last six years.
In addition, Willie lives in Bucklebury just a few miles from Wokingham where The Almshouse Association is based at Billingbear Lodge on Maidenhead Road.
“I am looking forward to my role as chairman of The Almshouse Association,” says Willie.
“I want to build closer relationships with government and the housing sector to protect and enhance this exemplary form of community housing that is still so relevant today. I hope, too, that I can encourage more philanthropic support for the longevity of the movement.”
“Almshouses are about people, the people that occupy them and the volunteer trustees who manage them,” he continues.
“It is these people who provide the community spirit that makes almshouse living so unique and enduring.”
Willie is a highly regarded investment management professional with generations of family commitment to almshouses. He is a driving force in his local community having recently been High Sheriff of The Royal County of Berkshire, Vice President of the Berkshire Community Foundation and a Deputy Lieutenant of the County.
A Freeman of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers, he has campaigned to ensure that the important links with City Livery Companies and The Almshouse Association are maintained.
Willie runs his own farming enterprise and has shown huge personal commitment to the almshouse movement, the family foundation, The Hartley Trust, which dates back to 1393.
The Trust has been in the family for nearly 400 years and is the tenth-oldest almshouse foundation in the country.
“Almshouses are the oldest form of social housing,” explains Willie. “A recent report by the Bayes Business School showed residents live on average up to more than two-and-a-half years longer. Almshouses provide warm, safe and secure housing. They are self-sufficient, low-cost community housing that is held in trust for local people in housing need.
“Many are built in a quadrangle shape so people feel part of a community. You’ll find many with allotments and all offer a variety of activities from community events to day trips and lots more. The Almshouse Association is an essential component of the almshouse movement.
“We continue to provide support, information and guidance on a broad range of general and specific issues, to over 1,600 independent almshouse member charities that provide homes for around 35,000 residents across the United Kingdom.”
The history of almshouses stretches back to mediaeval times when religious orders cared for the poor. Originally called hospitals or bede houses, in the sense of hospitality and shelter. The oldest almshouse foundation still in existence is thought to be the Hospital of St Oswald in Worcester founded around 990.
By the middle of 1500s, there were about 800 mediaeval hospitals spread across the country but the dissolution of the monasteries meant that many were either sold off to landowners or left to ruin.
Almshouses are a charitable form of self-sufficient, low-cost community housing that is held in trust for local people in housing need. They are managed and run by almshouse charities made up of local volunteers.
“Today, 36,000 people are living full and independent lives in almshouses, finding friendships, wellbeing, safety and security inside their walls and within their communities,” adds Willie.
“The Almshouse Association is working hard with almshouses charities, local authorities and the Government to make it possible for many more to be built.
“Almshouses have a wonderful history and I hope to maintain that legacy. I would like to see more people become trustees to help their own local almshouse. I urge people who would like to be involved to get in touch and help in any way we can.”
Nick Phillips, CEO of The Almshouse Association welcomed Willie’s appointment to the role of chairman: “I am delighted. Willie brings formidable experience to our leadership. With his financial career in investment management in the City, he brings sound business acumen, and with his long history of family commitment to almshouses, he has a depth of knowledge that can see the Association and the wider almshouse movement thrive and become robust for the next century.”
For more details, log on to: www.almshouses.org
