About Us

Lancaster Charity and Platten & Benson Trust are two charities that provide quality, affordable, supported accommodation for local people in need, who as residents are beneficiaries of the Charity and the Trust. The charities are managed by a board of Trustees, and are also registered with the Charity Commission and are members of The Almshouse Association.

LANCASTER CHARITY – Registered Number: 213461

HISTORY

In his will, dated 2nd March, 1715, William Penny, a notable Lancaster gentleman, left a bequest to enable the building of Almshouses for ‘poor indigent men and women within the town of Lancaster’.

Lancaster Charity was created in its present recognisable form on 22nd December 1860, made up of several smaller charities which between 1835 and 1843 had been set up to manage legacies which had been left for the building and maintenance of Almshouse accommodation within the old Lancaster town boundaries.

For many years, the Charity was based in the offices of OSG Solicitors in Castle Park, Lancaster, but in mid 2011 it relocated to William Penny’s in Regent Street.

PLATTEN & BENSON ALMSHOUSE TRUST – Registered Number: 500574

HISTORY

GOVERNANCE

CHARITY COMMISSION REGISTRATION
Lancaster Charity – Registered Number: 213461

Charitable objects:
The provision of almshouses and pensions for persons not less than 55 years of age who are disabled by age, accident or infirmity from maintaining themselves and who (except in special cases to be approved by the commissioners) have resided in the area of benefit for not less than three years.

The relief of aged persons in need resident in the area of benefit by the provision of an annual treat or in such ways as the trustees think fit.

Platten & Benson Almshouse Trust – Registered Number: 500574

Charitable objects:
Almshouses for poor aged persons of good character who (except in special cases to be approved by the charity commissioners) are resident in the borough of Morecambe and Heysham at the time of appointment.

REPORTING TO THE CHARITY COMMISSION

As required by law, the charities submit an annual report of its activities and audited accounts to the Charity Commission. Copies of these reports can be found here:
Lancaster Charity – Registered Number: 213461
Platten & Benson Almshouse Trust – Registered Number: 500574

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

The Charities are administered by voluntary Trustees (normally fourteen)

The Trustees of Lancaster Charity are currently:-

  • Pam Barker
  • Cllr Alan Biddulph
  • Cllr Dave Brookes
  • Keith Budden
  • Roger Carradice (Chairman)
  • Dame Pauline Fielding
  • Cllr Kevin Frea
  • Chris Hanna
  • Susan Hodgson
  • Cllr Joyce Pritchard
  • Cllr Robert Redfern
  • Alan Sandham
  • VACANCY
  • VACANCY

They are supported by Philip Oglethorpe, Clerk to the Trustees

COMPLAINTS

The complaints process
Please tell us about the problem.
The first step is to report the problem to us. We should be able to put things right. We have complaints procedures that should be easy to use, fair and designed to put things right.

THE HOUSING OMBUDSMAN SERVICE

If you are having difficulty reporting the issue or are dissatisfied with the service you received in response to your complaint, you can ask the Housing Ombudsman service to help you and us resolve the issue. If you think your complaint is not being dealt with correctly, for example if you receive delayed or no response, the Housing Ombudsman service can help ensure your complaint is responded to by your landlord.

For more information about the Housing Ombudsman please follow this link: Housing Ombudsman .

OUR POLICIES

THE ALMSHOUSE ASSOCIATION