A few months ago, the laundry room at Sherborne’s St Johns’ Almshouse housed washing machines, clothes airers and washing powder. Now it has been transformed to provide a cosy kitchen diner as the first step in a project that will see part of the Almshouse building remodelled to provide independent affordable accommodation for local people.
With a bedroom and bathroom upstairs, the unit is now occupied, providing a much-needed new home in the centre of the town.
In a statement the Almshouse trustees said “We are delighted to have made our new ‘Garden Cottage’ available so quickly. This is the first step towards our vision of creating seven new units within the Almshouse complex”.
Positive Period for Sherborne Almshouse
Richard Hunt, chair of the Almshouse trustees stated, “2024 saw some really positive developments for the Almshouse. First, we agreed our new collaboration with the Abbey which will breathe new life into the building through the Abbey’s community work, while enabling us to provide townsfolk with much needed affordable accommodation.”
“We opened our doors for a public open day and received overwhelming support for our plans from the people that came,” he added.
“Our new MP Edward Morello has visited twice, and our Town Council has voiced support”.
“Rooms have been redecorated and the windows repaired. Now we have our first new unit occupied”, he said. “Our cottage in Trendle Street, which has remained open since the main House was temporarily closed, also has a new resident.”
Mr Hunt added “2025 will be a very important year for the Almshouse. We need funds to make our vision a reality. We are sure that the town will back us. We all know that affordable accommodation is badly needed, and we hope that before too long and with the right support, we will be offering new homes to local people.”
Anyone, or any organisation, interested and able to help should contact the Almshouse on 01935 813245 or via email using housewardens@stjohnshouse.org.
A new collaboration involving the Almshouse and Sherborne Abbey was announced last year which will see some rooms re-modelled to enable affordable independent living for local people while the Abbey will use downstairs space for a traditional tearoom and a suite of rooms upstairs to provide a support centre for young people and separate space for community projects.