Three Generations Celebrate Almshouses

Three generations of almshouses enthusiasts and experts were the speakers at the University of Suffolk’s first open lecture of the summer on Wednesday 18 June.

Researcher Jenny Pannell, Dr Alison Pooley, Associate Professor at the University of Suffolk, and Rei Mordue from Red Rose Chain Theatre joined forces to discuss the history of almshouses and how they can help shape the future of modern housing.

Traditionally, almshouses are a form of low-cost community housing held in trust for local people who are in housing need, managed and run by almshouses charities.

Jenny Pannell started the lecture with an overview of her research into the history of almshouses across the country.

She has been collaborating with Dr Pooley for the past ten years and joined forces with her to work on a research project called Almshouses Resilient Communities (ARC) which completed last summer looking at suitable living spaces for the older generation.

Following Jenny was Rei Mordue from Ipswich’s Red Rose Chain theatre company who explained how grant money allowed her and fellow “Chainers”, members of the company’s youth theatre, to research the history of the Tooley’s Almshouses in Ipswich which were founded by Henry Tooley in 1550.

They spoke to residents and produced a heritage play telling the story of the people who live there now.

Dr Pooley rounded off the lecture by explaining more about the ARC project and said Suffolk has 43 almshouses charities, stressing the importance of community.

She said new almshouses are needed along with more almshouses charities to cater not only for older people but for younger people and families so they can continue to live locally.

A question and answer session followed looking at various points including trustees roles within almshouses charities, the future of almshouses for all ages, and how they can evolve in years to come.

Dr Pooley said: “My thanks go to Jenny and Rei for adding different dimensions to the lecture.

“It was great to see so many people there with a genuine interest and affection for almshouses and what they stand for.

“We had some really good questions and points from the floor both about the history of almshouses and their relevance today and moving forward.”

For more details on the ARC project go to University Researchers Contribute To New Knowledge Hub | University of Suffolk