For over 250 years, we’ve been offering safe and affordable accommodation for Bedford residents through almshouse accommodation.
Homes For People in Need
Almshouses are a particular type of housing which is different to housing association or local authority accommodation in a number of ways. They are owned by a charity to deliver the charity’s purposes, for example, the relief of poverty or ill health.
People who live in almshouse accommodation have to meet certain criteria. For The Harpur Trust this criteria has been older people from the Bedford area. Following the research conducted for our strategic plan Together For Bedford, we’re considering whether there are other groups of people in the borough who have greater need for almshouse accommodation.
Housing is significant problem across the country with high numbers of people in temporary accommodation. Watch this space for more information on how we develop our offer to meet the most pressing needs in Bedford Borough.
Over the centuries our accommodation has evolved to meet the changing needs of older people. Whilst we consider our next steps for our own almshouse provision, we have investments in a number of Extra Care communities for older people across the borough:
Managed by Anchor, Dame Alice Court is located on Newnham Street, in the heart of Bedford. With 24-hour support available when required, this purpose built and well-maintained property is suitable for people over the age of 55. There are a range of activities and events tailored to the interests of the residents. One bed and studio apartments only.
To find out more, please contact the scheme manager on 01234 347733 or visit the Dame Alice Court website.
Situated on Kimbolton Road in Bedford, Oak Way House is managed by Bedford Citizens Housing Association (BCHA), and offers modern, spacious extra care apartments suitable for individuals and couples.
Completed in 2017, Oakway House is within easy walking distance of the town centre and benefits from a range of activities and services including lunches.
To talk to someone at BCHA please ring 01234 321400. you can also look at the Oak Way House website.
Located in Brickhill Sir William Harpur House offers one-bedroom apartments, a range of communal facilities and activities, and provides easy access to local amenities including a bus stop and local shops. Managed by bpha.
To find out more contact 0330 100 0272 or visit the Sir William Harpur House website.
The Wixams Retirement Village, which opened in 2019, has a selection of one and two bedroom apartments for rent, alongside properties for shared ownership and purchase.
Situated on a 6-acre green field setting at Wixams, the village is located off the A6, just three miles from Bedford. There are a host of health and leisure facilities available in the village centre and a wide range of activities on offer daily. The village is run by the Extra Care Charitable Trust.
To find out more ring the housing officer on 07356 100959 or try the main reception number 01234 981000. you can also visit the Wixams Retirement Village website.
These communities are run by partner housing associations and all provide high quality rental apartments for older people who are Bedford residents. Extra Care accommodation is for people who have a care need. If you are not sure if you have a care need, receipt of benefits like Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment is a good indication that you do.
If you don’t receive any of these benefits, but you struggle to manage everyday activities like washing, dressing, cleaning, shopping, preparing food and staying safe in your home, you may have a care need.
All of these settings provide:
Many residents of these extra care communities receive help with their rent through Housing Benefit.
At the moment we don’t ask applicants to fill in separate Harpur Trust application forms to apply for any of the schemes we’ve invested in, to avoid you having to share the same information twice. Simply contact the Housing Association directly, saying you heard about the accommodation from The Harpur Trust.
The Harpur Trust was founded over 450 years ago by Sir William Harpur, a local man born to humble beginnings who made his fortune as a merchant tailor and became Lord Mayor of London in 1561.
Today our activities are still inspired by Sir William Harpur’s vision. He understood the value of education, and he saw what needed to be addressed to support the people in his hometown of Bedford.
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