Charity of Amy Temple

The challenge

Maintaining independence can be challenging for older, single women, especially in communities with high property prices and, or a lack of suitable accommodation.

The Charity of Amy Temple provides almshouses that provide comfortable accommodation in a friendly community, but the cottages required updating and more were needed to try to meet demand.

Developing the solution

In 2014, the charity approached us to help with the building of three new cottages and the revamping of four existing properties. Since then, Charity of Amy Temple have come to us four times and we have been very pleased to offer grants totaling £52,500 to carry out the work.

Support given

April 2014: grant towards the costs of building three modern, one-bedroom bungalows

July 2016: grant to renovate, modernise and extend one of the four 1960s bed-sitting room bungalow cottages

April 2018: grant to continue with next stage of renovation of the properties.

July 2019: final grant to complete renovation of the remaining two properties.

The result

The residents now have seven well-appointed cottages and can lead comfortable,  companionable and full lives at the very centre of the village.

The charity is now working on a significant upgrade to the gardens surrounding the properties.

What we liked about this project

We have been on a journey with The Charity of Amy Temple, supporting  them in transforming their accommodation from four very simple cottages into seven up-to-date homes. It has been a great partnership that we have been happy to support through several rounds, especially as they have always been very open to our suggestions, making improvements from improving insulation to making their homes wheelchair accessible.

Dugan Cummings, trustee-in-touch

What support from QHT meant for the project

“Over the last six years we have completely modernised and extended three almshouses and added four more. Without the help of contributions such as QHT’s we would never have been able to achieve our goal.”

Bill Currie, treasurer, Claire Milligan, clerk.

“Amy Temple has meant security, peace and comfort for me an allowed me to live independently. The cottage is very warm, easy to manage and quiet. My neighbours are very nice and I am very happy.”

Resident, Charity of Amy Temple

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