Lench’s Trust joins forces with the Birmingham & Midland Institute to round off special 500-year milestone
Lench’s Trust, the city’s oldest charity, wrapped up their 500th year celebration this week, with a special partnership event held in conjunction with the Birmingham & Midland Institute. More than 100 residents, senior representatives and stakeholders of Lench’s Trust and leaders and influencers from across Birmingham came together to mark 500 years exactly to the week William Lench signed his will and the Lench’s Trust was born.
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.
Those attending heard from a range of locally-connected speakers including local historian, author and presenter, Carl Chinn. 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.
Today, Lench’s Trust currently 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.
Over the years, the charity has adapted to the needs of an ever-changing society and engaged with the diverse community it serves to make sure it responds to the needs of the growing numbers of Birmingham’s future generation of older people, who are facing financial hardship or social isolation.
This includes unveiling pioneering plans for the UK’s first eco-pod scheme for older residents at the end of last year, which are designed to spearhead a new standard of living for the city’s older residents. It is proposed that the six eco homes will be built on woodland owned by the Lench’s Trust in Quinton.
The main focus of the pioneering design is on nature connectivity, with an aim to develop a social contract which encourages community participation in maintaining and enhancing the green spaces, building a sense of belonging and mutual care. Over the last 12 months, Lench’s Trust has marked 500 years of charitable contribution to Birmingham by holding a series of special events, which kicked off with a 500th Founder’s Day with Professor Carl Chinn and a birthday party for staff and residents at the oldest building in Birmingham – The Old Crown.
Dominic Bradley, Chief Executive of Lench’s Trust, said: “It’s not every day that you hear of a charity celebrating 500 years, which makes this milestone even more special, especially when you also take into account all of the people we’ve had the pleasure of supporting along the way.
“Our history may be long; however, we’re continuously moving with the times and proactively shaping accommodation for the city’s older people, so that it continues to improve their lives while also further building upon our legacy with the latest 21st century developments and innovations.”
