Richmond Charities has opened a new almshouse on Mitre Mews.

The Elizabeth Twining Almshouses is the newest development for Richmond charities, which manages 145 almshouses across 12 estates in Richmond, Twickenham, and Mortlake.

The new development, which opened this month and is currently moving in residents, has been designed for wheelchair users and individuals with low mobility.

Chief Executive Juliet Ames-Lewis is enthusiastic about the new build and reducing the number of people on their housing waiting list.

(Image: Richmond Charities)

She said: “Almshouses are more than just a roof over someone's head.

"It's a community - a retirement community and we have activities and events going on every day."

The newly constructed almshouse includes four one-bedroom dwellings designed for wheelchair users, along with accessible and adaptable home.

The kitchen units are adjustable, allowing them to be lowered for wheelchair accessibility.

The bathrooms are all level, and the houses have been constructed to passive house standards—an international energy performance standard that aims to reduce the need for heating and cooling.

All Elizabeth Twining Almshouses are equipped with ground-source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels to keep residents' energy bills as low as possible.

The charity is working on installing solar panels on all existing almshouses.

Richmond Charities caters for those over 65 who live in the borough and are in housing and financial need.

Individuals residing in the estates must be capable of living independently.

However, the almshouse offers support for those whose current residences are unsuitable.

Juliet said: "They might be living at the top of a block with no lift, and their mobility is such that they can't manage the stairs anymore.

"We find that if you keep elderly people socially active, it tends to keep them physically, mentally and emotionally healthier. 

“It's really important in any borough, not just for the amount of affordable housing to be increasing all the time, but for the variety of different types of affordable housing to be there.”

Staff are available 24/7, 365 days a year for residents, providing daily activities and events for those living there.

The charity has activities such as yoga, Zumba, chess club, film club, Nordic walking, meditation classes, and a newly established line dance group to keep its residents active.

Each year, the charity takes the residents of their 145 almshouses to a Christmas lunch at a local hotel, an event they host annually alongside their summer parties.

Richmond Charities have been enhancing social infrastructure for over 400 years, starting with the founding of Queen Elizabeth's Almshouses in 1600.

In the UK, there are currently over 30,000 almshouses housing around 36,000 residents, according to the Almshouse Association.

Currently, there are over 30,000 almshouse dwellings across the UK housing 36,000 residents, according to the Almshouse Association.

Richmond Charities' chief executive states that only eight charities have more than 100 almshouses, making Richmond Charities one of the largest.

The charity regularly meets with the council's housing team to discuss more opportunities in the area.

A spokesperson for Richmond Council said: “By collaborating with Richmond Charities to ensure that these homes are accessible and meet the diverse needs of our residents, we can ensure the borough provides not only homes, but a community where older people can thrive with the necessary support and security.”

In addition to the almshouses, the charity owns 140 properties in Richmond that they rent out commercially at market rate, which helps generate income to support the almshouses.

After nearly ten years as chief executive, Ames-Lewis stated that her primary focus has been to increase the number of almshouses to meet the need in the borough.

Currently, 32 people are on the waiting list for housing with the charity.

Richmond Charities is currently constructing its next almshouse.

In March 2025, Richmond Charities is expected to open the Elizabeth Doughty Almshouses on Queen’s Road to help meet the increasing demand for housing solutions.