Community Life in Richmond's Almshouses
During 2017 and 2018, The Richmond Charities collaborated with Chantal Richards, a local photographer who was undertaking an MA in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography. During the year, Chantal attended numerous events and activities within the charity’s community, as well as holding interviews with individual residents and hearing their stories. Through this book which resulted from all her photos and interviews, Chantal has provided us with a snapshot of what life is like living in the almshouses in the 21st century.
People’s Friend magazine feature
The Chief Executive of The Richmond Charities was invited by People’s Friend magazine to contribute to an article for one of their September 2021 editions about almshouses. People’s Friend magazine is a UK-wide publication with a readership of 150,000.
Monthly Activities Leaflet
January at Richmond Charities kicks off with the spectacular Burns Supper on 26th January (arrive 5pm, eat 5:30pm) - book your place with your Scheme Manager!
The new Book Group launches this month, meeting weekly to explore "The Greatest Story Ever Told" (Tuesdays 6th, 13th, 21st, 27th at 2pm). Enjoy "Out and About at Home" on 8th January (2pm) and Film Club's screening of Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale on 21st January (2pm).
All your weekly favourites continue throughout - Zumba on Mondays (11am), Yoga on Fridays (10:15am), Bridge multiple times weekly, Tai Chi on Thursdays (2:30pm), and Arts & Crafts at Wright's Terrace. A brilliant start to the new year!
Latest Edition of Your Almshouse Magazine
January's 'Your Almshouse Magazine' brings fresh starts and new adventures! This issue welcomes new residents across our estates and celebrates CEO Emma Halford's first full year.
Don't miss the spectacular Burns Supper on 26th January (5:30pm - book your place now!), the new Book Group exploring "The Greatest Story Ever Told" (running weekly throughout January), and "Out and About at Home" on 8th January. Film Club screens the Downton Abbey Grand Finale on 21st January.
Trustee Willie Hartley Russell shares his fascinating journey from the City to almshouses, while resident Heather Shipley writes movingly about her father's wartime experiences.
There's winter wellness advice, competition quizzes for £10 M&S vouchers (spot the British actors!), and Nigel's poetry corner features Tennyson's "Ring Out, Wild Bells.". Plus regular favourites continue - Zumba, Yoga, Bridge, Tai Chi, and Arts & Crafts. Download your copy and embrace the new year with your community!
Your Almshouse Magazine - December 2025
December's 'Your Almshouse Magazine' celebrated the festive season with Christmas cheer. The issue welcomed new residents to Houblons, Queen Elizabeth's, and Wright's Almshouses.
The Parkshot Singers performed on 5th December, followed by the Resident's Christmas Lunch at Richmond Hill Hotel on the 11th. Carol singers from Marshgate School toured all estates on the 17th, with the Candlelit Carol Service "Stars in the Night" that evening, and the Crib Service with refreshments on Christmas Eve. Food Glorious Food explored "Christmas Around the World" on the 9th.
The issue featured festive competition quizzes for £10 M&S vouchers including Christmas films and carol wordsearches. Emma wrote about festive giving, Nigel shared Tennyson poetry, and there was practical advice on staying well through winter - a joyful community-focused edition.
Your Almshouse Magazine - November 2025
November's 'Your Almshouse Magazine' celebrated remembrance and welcomed new residents to Doughty's, James Knight, and Michel's Almshouses. The Harvest Supper raised £200 for Water Aid, while the Macmillan Coffee Morning brought in an impressive £525. Major Phil Shannon MBE shared captivating stories from his Army career, from Junior Musician to Director of Music for the Welsh & Irish Guards bands. Emma launched the Good Neighbour Awards to recognise residents who brighten their neighbours' days. The issue covered the Service of Remembrance and Quiz Night, plus details of trips to the Bank of England and garden centre, along with Film Club screenings. Competition pages featured war memorials picture quizzes and local blue plaques wordsearches for £10 M&S vouchers. Gennie explored mushrooms and Nigel shared poetry in this warm community-focused edition.
Your Almshouse Magazine - October 2025
October's 'Your Almshouse Magazine' celebrated community connections and autumn traditions! This issue featured the remarkable story of 97-year-old Beryl Gray and her husband Jed - a WWII Spitfire pilot and one of Churchill's "Few" - spanning 45 years at Church Estate. Maureen Bliss continued her New Zealand adventure (Part II), while Steve Harbud's powerful poem "This Beautiful World" confronted environmental responsibility. The magazine included the Singing Together programme with Marshgate School children and Wellness Walking sessions. Film Club screened "Land" and "One Life," there was an Out and About trip to William Morris Gallery, plus Gennie Thompson's fascinating dive into garlic science and James Nestor's "Breathe" book review. The issue also featured the St. Francis Day service schedule, local events, and competitions for £10 M&S vouchers in the cake quiz and influential women wordsearch.
Your Almshouse Magazine - September 2025
September's 'Your Almshouse Magazine' bursts with autumn energy! This issue features CEO Emma Halford's new beginnings as she goes full-time, stunning Almshouses in Bloom 2025 winners with gorgeous garden photography, and Major Phil Shannon's captivating tale "From Boy to Bandmaster" about his military music career. Plus there's the exciting new Wellness Walking with Rosie program, Harvest Supper festivities, and Charles Bukowski's unexpected poetry corner asking "do you suppress a bluebird in your heart?" Don't miss the Motown Summer Party recap, Margaret's fame on Joolz Guides, and essential September events. Download your copy for community celebrations and inspiration.
Your Almshouse Magazine - July 2025
July's 'Your Almshouse Magazine' celebrated 425 years of Richmond Charity Almshouses! This special issue featured our Thanksgiving Service with professional singers from St Mary Abbots Kensington, resident stories from WWII evacuee Joy Sayles and Angus Douglas's hero father at Arnhem, plus Chaplain Derrick Thompson's insights on music's spiritual power. this YAM also includes the Papa George Band concert recap, Sri Lanka travel tales, and our upcoming Annual Summer Party on August 14th. Download your copy to catch up from July.
Your Almshouse Magazine - May 2025
May's 'Your Almshouse Magazine' featured HRH The Duke of Gloucester's visit to officially open The Elizabeth Twining Almshouses, with residents meeting royalty and celebrating our Passivhaus achievement. The issue covered our popular Good Endings Seminar with practical life planning advice, the stunning Eloysia String Quartet candlelight concert in Hickey's Chapel, and vibrant community outings to Brixton Market and Twickenham Museum with the Mayor. Plus new clubs launching: Tai Chi, Clay Modelling, and Nordic Walking sessions.
Your Almshouse Magazine - April 2025
In April 2025, YAM featured the historic leadership transition as Emma Halford was announced as the new CEO, replacing beloved Juliet Ames-Lewis after her decade of service. The issue covered the major milestone of The Elizabeth Doughty Almshouses construction with scaffolding removal revealing the stunning building, and captured the memorable VE Day 80th anniversary celebrations. Readers also enjoyed Jenny Ruff's fascinating ancestry discovery that traced her family back to 16th century Wiltshire and Wolf Hall.
Your Almshouse Magazine - March 2025
March 2025 YAM: A Month of Beginnings and Tributes:
This milestone issue featured heartfelt tributes to two beloved community pillars - Pat Platt, the unstoppable organizer behind decade-spanning outings and iconic Macmillan Coffee Mornings, and Gill Doling, remembered as a "warm and soft bunny rabbit" who served Richmond for over 40 years. The issue also captured the community's exciting Burns' Night celebration in the Chapel, complete with authentic haggis ceremony, Scottish tradition, and rousing toasts that brought residents together during January's bleaker days.
Your Almshouse Magazine - Feb 2025
The February 2025 YAM issue featured Carlo Acutis becoming the first millennial saint at age 15, recognized by the Vatican for his online evangelism and digital devotion. This historic edition also covered the completion of Elizabeth Doughty Almshouses' new building construction after the September topping-off ceremony, marking a major milestone for Richmond Charities' expansion. Additionally, the issue included touching farewell tributes to longtime warden Joan Skeats and highlighted Derrick Thompson's remarkable university graduation alongside his son Ben, both earning theology degrees from Durham Cathedral in a proud family achievement.
Your Almshouse Magazine - January 2025
January 2025 'Your Almshouse Magazine' featured the remarkable transformation of Elizabeth Twining Almshouses, showcasing the completion of 5 new Passivhaus properties built from dilapidated garages in just 33 months. The issue also covered the spectacular Annual Christmas Lunch at Richmond Hill Hotel, where residents celebrated with three-course dining, dancing, and festive entertainment. Plus, discover the fascinating history behind Epiphany's gold, frankincense and myrrh gifts and enjoy resident photography from winter walks in local parks.
Your Almshouse Magazine - December 2024
The monthly newsletter for The Richmond Charities Almshouses, Your Almshouse Newsletter December 2024 edition.
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