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
April at Richmond Charities centres on Easter celebrations! Maundy Thursday Supper and Service takes place on 2nd April at 4:30pm (book via Derrick), followed by Way of the Cross and Good Friday Communion with Hot Cross Buns on 3rd April (2-3pm), and Easter Day Communion with refreshments on 5th April (10:30am).
The Out and About trip visits the RAF Museum in Hendon on 14th April (10am outside Hickey's Chapel) - places are limited so book through your Scheme Manager. All regular weekly activities continue throughout April - Zumba on Mondays (11am), Yoga on Fridays (10:15am), Bridge multiple times weekly, Meditation on Tuesdays (11am), Tai Chi on Thursdays (2:30pm), and Arts & Crafts at Wright's Terrace. A joyful Easter month ahead!
Latest Edition of Your Almshouse Magazine
April's 'Your Almshouse Magazine' celebrates Easter joy and new beginnings! This issue welcomes new residents to Houblons and Queen Elizabeth's Almshouses and shares beautiful moments from March's Mothering Sunday celebrations and Japan House visit.
The Easter festivities are the heart of this issue - Maundy Thursday Supper and Service (2nd April, 4:30pm - book via Derrick), Way of the Cross and Good Friday Communion with Hot Cross Buns (3rd April, 2pm), and Easter Day Communion with refreshments (5th April, 10:30am). Don't miss the Out and About trip to the RAF Museum in Hendon on 14th April (10am outside Hickey's Chapel - places limited, book with your Scheme Manager).
Trustee spotlight features inspiring stories, while competitions offer chances to win £10 M&S vouchers with spring quizzes. Nigel's poetry corner brings seasonal reflections, plus health and wellness tips for spring. All your regular favourites continue - Zumba, Yoga, Bridge, Tai Chi, and Arts & Crafts. Download your copy and celebrate Easter with your community!
Your Almshouse Magazine - March 2026
March's 'Your Almshouse Magazine' celebrated spring and community connections. The issue welcomed new residents to Hickey's and Michel's Almshouses and shared highlights from February's Kew Gardens Orchid Festival trip and pancake celebrations.
Featured events included the Out and About visit to Japan House for Hyakko on 10th March, Creation Station making Decoupage Easter Eggs on 11th, and the special Mothering Sunday Cream Tea on 15th March. Singing Together with Marshgate School took place on 18th March, with Film Club screening La La Land that afternoon. The Thursday Fellowship Lent series explored The Lord's Prayer, leading up to Easter celebrations including Maundy Thursday Supper and Good Friday Communion with Hot Cross Buns. Competitions offered £10 M&S vouchers with spring-themed quizzes, plus Nigel's poetry corner.
Your Almshouse Magazine - February 2026
February's 'Your Almshouse Magazine' warmed hearts with wonderful community stories. The issue welcomed new residents to Houblons and Wright's Almshouses and celebrated highlights from Christmas events and the Burns Supper.
Featured events included the Kew Gardens Orchid Festival trip on 10th February, Food Glorious Food exploring Pancakes, Singing Together with Marshgate School pupils on 11th February, and the Virtual Almshouse History Tour with tea on 25th February. Lent began with the Ash Wednesday Service and Thursday Fellowship exploring The Lord's Prayer. The trustee spotlight featured Amani Orr Ewing's inspiring journey, while competitions offered £10 M&S vouchers with TV detectives and London Underground quizzes, plus winter wellness tips and Nigel's poetry corner.
Your Almshouse Magazine - January 2026
January's 'Your Almshouse Magazine' brought fresh starts and new adventures to the community. The issue welcomed new residents across the estates and celebrated CEO Emma Halford's first full year. The spectacular Burns Supper took place on 26th January, the new Book Group explored "The Greatest Story Ever Told" with weekly meetings throughout January, and "Out and About at Home" was held on 8th January. Film Club screened the Downton Abbey Grand Finale on 21st January.
Trustee Willie Hartley Russell shared his fascinating journey from the City to almshouses, while resident Heather Shipley wrote movingly about her father's wartime experiences. The issue featured winter wellness advice, competition quizzes for £10 M&S vouchers (spot the British actors), and Nigel's poetry corner with Tennyson's "Ring Out, Wild Bells," alongside regular activities including Zumba, Yoga, Bridge, Tai Chi, and Arts & Crafts.
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.
Page 1 of 4