In an age where the threat of homelessness was almost ever-present, almshouses provided safe accommodation for the poor and the needy in Middle-Age England.

The first recorded almshouses in Britain date as far back as 1132 during the reign of King Henry I, when most of the population eked out a harsh existence in communities hemmed in by fortified walls and palisades.

But 900 years on, as in the Middle-Ages, the fear of living on the streets and the need for adequate shelter is still very real – meaning almshouses continue to have a vital purpose in helping protect the vulnerable living in modern day England.

And in Colchester, almshouses are still being opened and maintained by charities and philanthropists whose generosity saves thousands of people from homelessness each year.

Gazette: Unveiling - the Duke with the plaque on Magdalen GreenUnveiling - the Duke with the plaque on Magdalen Green

These residences are not of the low-spec, stack them high, sell them cheap ilk.

Overseen by the Almshouse Association, there are 1,600 independent almshouse charities throughout the UK which house up to 36,000 people for a low cost in secure, comfortable accommodation with all the requisite amenities.

The spotlight was thrown on to them when the Duke of Gloucester officially opened almshouses on a visit to Colchester.

Winnocks and Kendalls Almshouse Charity has organised the construction of nine new buildings, each built from the reserves of the original gift of almshouses which were built in the 17th century.

Although they were largely funded by the Almshouse Association, Colchester Council also supported the charity with £450,000 it had received from right-to-buy receipts.

Different almshouses can accommodate residents with different requirements – some provide for the elderly, others for those who are leaving care.

The almshouse on Magdalen Green, for example, run by St Mary Magdalen Hospital Almshouse Charity, specifically caters to those with special needs.

Three residents who live at the Magdalen Green almshouse enjoy a high quality of living thanks to the provisions from St Mary Magdalen Hospital Almshouse.

Denise Cutting has lived in an almshouse since 2000 and said how much she enjoyed the atmosphere with the other almshouse residents.

She said: “We’re all on the same wavelength, they’re all lovely people – every single one of them.

“I love my flat, I love my surroundings and the area – I’m not looking to move.”

The Almshouse Association is, in fact, celebrating its 75th birthday this year, having started its representation of independent almshouses back in 1946.

Because almshouses are charities, they are run by a board of trustees, who are volunteers from the community.

As far as money is concerned, that aspect is primarily handled by Charity Bank, which lends to charities and social enterprises throughout the UK.

Its director of lending, Carolyn Sims, was in attendance as the Winnocks and Kendalls almshouses were officially opened by the Duke of Gloucester.

She said: “Charity Bank is delighted to have been able to fund this project – we’ve been working with the almshouse for several years to try and bring the project to fruition.

“We’ve worked hard on ensuring that we’ve got the right funding mix for the project, and now to see the project built and residents living here… it’s just wonderful to see.”

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Nick Phillips is the Almshouse Association chef executive officer having taken on the position in 2018.

As pleased as he was to see the almshouses in Colchester officially opened, he was quick to point out the importance of the charity’s trustees.

He said: “We’re their association – the hard work is done by the trustees.

“Absolutely at the core of almshouses is that they are affordable – there’s a line in most almshouse documents mentioning that living in the almshouse should not add to greater hardship for the residents.

“Right at the charity’s heart is that affordability – we met a couple in the Winnocks Almshouses who had moved in, and before this they were effectively without a home.

“She told me when I met her that it felt like she had died and gone to heaven.”

Optimistically, Mr Phillips mentioned that almshouse charities were generally in a good position, with the number being built currently likely to be at its highest since the industrial revolution.

Gazette: Meet and greet - the Duke introduces himself to trusteesMeet and greet - the Duke introduces himself to trustees

Despite this, the demand is still outstripping the supply – and the chief executive said that there is a lot of work to be done to bring through a new generation of philanthropists to fund almshouses and protect the vulnerable.

“Generally, almshouses are thriving through the pandemic,” Mr Phillips said.

“But, some almshouses are struggling to remain in historically listed buildings – and also, we ask ourselves where the next generation of philanthropists is.

“Who are the people who are going to fund the next generation of almshouses?

“We need to ask those questions – who today is going to step forward with their legacy and goodwill to start the next legacy of almshouses, because we want to see it go on for centuries.”

Given that almshouses have been around since the Middle Ages, there is little doubt that they will continue to provide a vital lifeline to the needy for centuries to come but it will need philanthropists to continue their support if almshouses are to keep helping those who need a little helping hand.