Birmingham’s oldest charity celebrates 500 years contribution to the city
More than 100 guests, including residents, dignitaries and partners came together in Birmingham’s oldest building to celebrate the city’s oldest charity.
In 1525 William Lench, a Tanner by trade, decided to leave his worldly wealth to 19 of his friends by a Deed of Gift – dated 11 March 1525. His will on 24 March 1525, asked that the monies be used for works of charity.
500 years exactly to the week William Lench signed his will and the Lench’s Trust was born, Birmingham’s oldest charity held a birthday party to remember celebrating its residents and recognising the Trust’s contribution to the city. The venue, The Old Crown, was specifically selected as it is the oldest surviving building in the city, and one which William Lench will have known of and walked by, even if there’s no record of a visit!
Representatives from the Trust, including chief executive Dominic Bradley, were joined by residents, partners and local historian Professor Carl Chinn to mark the day.
Highlights included the opportunity to see the innovative POD proposed development which will see a new approach to later living, stories from residents and speeches from Jean Templeton, Chief Executive of St Basils, and Louise Cannon, Director of Social Entrepreneur Support at Unltd
Jean Templeton, CEO of St Basils, enjoying Prof. Carl Chinn's talk
Resident Phil Hughes spoke at the event. He said: “Lench’s means to me is the difference between having a life worth living instead of a life just surviving.”
His thoughts were echoed by fellow residents. "A community that refuses for you to feel alone…support is always within reach…living here has given me new purpose, " said Michael Smith, of Lench’s Close.
“I was definitely not in a care home, but in a place with people who cared,” said Chin Chin, a resident at the Trust’s William Lench Court scheme.
Those attending received a commemorative pack, including a copy of Carl Chinn’s book capturing the history of Lench’s and Birmingham.
Professor Carl Chinn said: “Lench’s Trust is a remarkable and positive symbol of continuity in a city of seemingly perpetual transformation.”
Today, Lench’s Trust now houses more than 200 residents across its Almshouses, providing care, support, housing and encouraging independent living for older people in Birmingham aged 55 and over.
In 1525, there were just 3,500 inhabitants in the then town of Birmingham. By 2040, the total city population for those aged 65 and over is expected to rise by 29 per cent to 194,100 with a total population of 1.2 million.
Dominic Bradley, Chief Executive of Lench’s Trust, said: “The innovative and purpose-driven values of the Trust remain the same as they always did. And yet we need to be thinking not only of our illustrious past, but what our future holds for us too , we have work afoot on a new model of modern Almshouse and support offer, multi-generational living proposals and planning in process for a unique Eco-Pod Scheme to support wellbeing and nature connectivity amongst our working city’s elders.
“We also have an exciting year of work that will refresh how people view accommodation for older people and will put the city at the forefront of a new model of later living. Many thanks to those who supported our celebrations and joined us on the day.”
To continue the 500th anniversary celebrations, Lench’s Trust is organising new facilities and activities for its older residents aimed at improving their lives. Echoing the generosity of William Lench, donations and sponsorship are welcomed. To find out more about becoming a Friend of Lench’s or to see available accommodation, please visit: https://www.lenchs-trust.co.uk/
