The Dulwich Estate

The Dulwich Almshouse Charity

Edward Alleyn, having purchased the Manor of Dulwich in 1605, began work on constructing the original almshouses, on either side of Christ’s Chapel, in 1613.

The original beneficiaries were six poor brethren and six poor sisters, all chosen from four parishes with which Alleyn was closely associated: St Botolph’s Bishopsgate (where he was born); St Saviour’s Southwark (where he had lived and been Churchwarden); St Giles Cripplegate (where his Fortune Theatre was situated); and the parish of Camberwell, in which his Manor lay. In 1773 the new parish of St Luke’s took the place of St Giles as a nominating body

The Trustees of the Dulwich Almshouse Charity are:

Name: Appointing body:
N J Fletcher, MA (Chairman) St Luke’s Parochial Trust
G F Bowden, TD MA FRICS The Dulwich Estate
Ms F Cliffe, BA (Hons) London Borough of Southwark
J Palmer, CB MA Camberwell Consolidated Charities
M B Maunsell, MA LLB The Bishopsgate Foundation
Mrs C P Waugh, BSc RGN RHV The Dulwich Estate

The Charity is administered in accordance with the Scheme approved by the Charity Commission in July 1995. The objects of the Charity, the area of benefit and beneficiaries, as defined in the Scheme, are:

The “objects of the Charity” are to relieve beneficiaries in cases of need, hardship or distress by the provision and maintenance of almshouses and otherwise as the Trustees think fit.

The “area of benefit” is the former parishes (as constituted on 1 May 1891) of St.Botolph, Bishopsgate, of St.Luke, Old Street, of St.Saviour, Southwark and of Camberwell. A further Scheme of 21 August 2000 extended the area of benefit, as regards financial assistance to beneficiaries, to include parishes within the area of Benefit of the Bishopsgate Foundation.

“Beneficiaries” means inhabitants of the area of benefit who are not less than 60 years of age who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress.

The Dulwich Almshouse Charity, as a beneficiary, retains very close links with The Dulwich Estate, which funds its operations as well as providing administrative support.

Its Charity Register number is 207167 and using this number or the charity name, information is available on the following websites:

www.charity-commission.gov.uk

www.guidestar.org.uk

Click here to download a copy of the Charity’s latest Annual Report and Accounts. To view previous years accounts go to Report Archive.

The Charity’s principal activity is the management of its almshouse – Edward Alleyn House - but in addition assistance is offered to other local residents in their homes through visits by the Warden, Carol Wilson, under its Outreach Scheme.

Mrs Wilson also arranges monthly coffee mornings and regular outings, which from time to time are attended by the outreach beneficiaries.

The Charity funds a number of pensions via The Bishopsgate Foundation and Camberwell Consolidated Charities and also makes annual block grants to organisations which satisfy the criteria, above, under Beneficiaries, such as Dulwich Helpline and St Christopher’s Hospice.

The Charity is also able to make small grants to relieve need. In this way, the Charity is extending its work in areas where there is a clear need for help.

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