Southwark Charities

Who we are

Southwark Charities manages the parochial charities of Christ Church, Blackfriars, and St Mary's, Newington. For nearly 300 years we have been providing almshouses, the ancient form of charitable housing, for those in "need, hardship or distress" in the Borough of Southwark. In addition we maintain a list of 200 members who enjoy a year-round program of outings, seaside daytrips, theatre visits, meals and holidays. We also make grants to local organisations working to support the older population. 

The charity has just obtained planning approval to rebuild its almshouses on the Blackfriars site, which was purchased in 1752 for £350, and has been our home ever since. The plans include a new almshouse with 62 genuinely affordable homes, a community centre, affordable offices for local charities, and a new office block which will generate annual income of c£850k. Once this development is complete we will then rebuild the almshouses at our site in Surrey Square, Walworth, replacing the existing 41 homes with 80+.

This is an exciting time, a once-in-a-century opportunity to reinvigorate our housing offer and potentially treble our annual income, which will enable us to offer even more support to those in "need, hardship or distress", and continue our historic mission on even firmer foundations.