Municipal Charities

Who we are

The Municipal Charities of Stratford-Upon-Avon charity has a long and detailed history of helping local people with housing via a number of charities set up by well-meaning bodies, philanthropic individuals and families connected with Stratford upon Avon. Over the years, a number of various charities have amalgamated resulting in the existing five separate almshouse charities. These comprise Guild Cottages; Shakespeare Court, Mary Newlands, John Roberts and St Joseph’s Homestead.

Our Mission is to provide low-cost, self-contained accommodation for older people of limited financial means. In all we offer accommodation to 47 residents. People are able to apply to become residents if they are financially deprived and all residents have limited savings and are almost all in receipt of housing benefit. Our philosophy is to encourage independent living. We also offer support to the residents through our two part time scheme managers. Pre Covid 19 the scheme managers would regularly visit the residents in their own homes. We would also run three or four outings each year for residents. We offer the residents support with benefit claims but also encourage their families to be involved.

We currently have 13 trustees and are applying to become a Charitable Incoprorated Organisation. Our income is around £450,000 a year.