About
What we do
Nestled at the heart of the village of Lambourn in West Berkshire lie the Almshouses of John Isbury and Jacob Hardrett. For over half a millennium these have provided safe and secure accommodation for those in need within the village and adjacent parishes.
Who we are
The Almshouses of John Isbury and Jacob Hardrett have existed for over 500 years and seek to provide homes in peaceful surroundings for those in housing need of the parish of Lambourn and circumjacent parishes. The two charities were merged in 2019, and together are embarking on a building programme to create new almshouses. Our almshouses are privately funded , and are independent of any local authority or housing association. The charity is managed by a board of ten voluntary Trustees and a clerk.
What we offer
We currently provide 11 almshouses of differing types on the Isbury and Hardrett’s sites. Our programme to provide more on the adjacent Methodist Chapel site will provide a further 9 homes. All applicants need to able to live independently, there is no nursing care provision. The Charity carries out all repairs, including internal and external decoration. A Weekly Maintenance Contribution (WMC) and, where appropriate a services supplement, is charged and varies across the sites.
Governance
The Almshouses of John Isbury & Jacob Hardrett is a charitable trust regulated by a ‘constitution’ authorised by the Charity Commission of England and Wales (Registered No. 1201574).
The constitution describes the objects of the Charity as the relief of poverty by the provision of accommodation for the beneficiaries and such charitable purposes for the benefit of the residents.
The Charity is managed by a board of 10 trustees, of which 8 are co-opted and two ex-officio (The Warden of New College, Oxford and the Vicar of the Benefice of the Lambourn Valley).
The current trustees are:
Dr Hugh Powell
Mrs Sharon Mooney
Mary Chalk
Mr Andrew Chalk
Mr Nicholas Spence
Sioban Penfold
Rev Juliette Mintern (Ex Officio)
Mr Christian Noll
Mr Richard Blackwell
Mr Miles Young (Ex Officio)
Clerk to the Trustees:
Mr Peter Penfold