Welcome to LEAP
LEAP (Legacy East Almshouse Partnership) is an almshouse charity whose purpose is to manage, maintain and develop almshouses for people in need of housing. It was established in 2013 to provide for the efficient management of traditional almshouses, upgrading them where necessary to meet the requirements suited to the needs of people living there. Almshouses are not just for older people, although they often are, but can sometimes provide accommodation for people of any age, for people with disabilities or for people with the sort of infirmity that comes with age.
The nine trustees of LEAP include people with considerable experience of managing almshouses and almshouse charities. We employ a Clerk on a part-time basis to help with all of the administrative aspects of managing the charities, the properties and dealing with the residents.
To view the gallery of present LEAP Trustees, click here.
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In addition we are passionate about the history that goes with each set of almshouses and want to maintain those traditions of benevolence and charity, respect for founder’s wishes and nomination rights. We also appreciate and understand the ever-changing rules and regulations and best practices involved in providing homes for people in need.
Where properties are for older people, the trustees aim wherever possible to ensure that the property has level access, a wet room and other appropriate adaptations to support residents. Residents may also arrange an appropriate care package with a third-party provider to help them remain in their own home.
LEAP has established a robust mechanism to efficiently manage a number of established almshouse charities under the overall LEAP umbrella. The permanent endowment associated with each charity remains intact and the assets of each permanent endowment, whether land, buildings or other wealth continue to remain as if managed by the original charity.
To view our portfolio of almshouses,
click here.
Our aim is to ensure that the principles on which the almshouses were founded continue unchanged whilst the properties are maintained to a modern standard.
Today whilst our almshouse homes have been improved to modern standards, the buildings are often named after the original benefactor and many have a characteristic architectural style. This helps give them a distinct identity and people living in them quickly relate to the property and are proud to call it 'home'.
We also aspire to build new almshouses for people in need of housing, homes that are fit for people in any age category. New almshouse schemes can be named in memory of someone local and preference given to housing people from that locality under the principle of 'Local Homes for Local People'.
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If you are an almshouse trustee struggling with the demands of corporate governance and appropriate financial management, do talk to us as LEAP may be able to help. We can also administer Relief in Need and similar designated charitable funds. If this is the case, please contact our Clerk, Clare Heyes, clerk@leapalmshouses.co.uk in the first instance.
