What is an Almshouse Charity

The Edward Mayes Trust is an almshouse charity founded in 1635.

The purpose of an almshouse charity is to support older people to maintain their independence by offering.

• Affordable and quality homes designed to meet the needs of older people
• Enabling residents to enjoy a good quality of life in a peaceful and safe environment.
• Retaining residents links with relatives and friends allowing them to stay within their communities
• Challenging the social exclusion of older people.

If you want to find out more about the history of almshouses and their role within our society please click on the website link to the Almshouse Association.

The Edward Mayes Trust is a member of The Almshouse Association which advices and supports 1800 almshouse charities throughout the UK to provide support and accommodation to some 36,000 people.

The Patron of the Almshouse Association is HRH The Prince of Wales

History of the Edward Mayes Trust

The charity of Edward Mayes was founded in 1635 when trustees were appointed to administer the sum of £120 bequeathed in the will of Edward Mayes.

The money was bequeathed to assist and support the poor and vulnerable people of Manchester.

Very little is known about Edward Mayes, however it is known he carried out various duties as an officer of the Court in Manchester, he died unmarried in 1621.

In 1635 the trustees of the charity purchased 4 acres of land in Millers Lane and profits from the rents were used to assist the poor.

In 1680 a row of almshouse cottages were built near to Millgate and Millers Lane for occupation by poor families.

The original almshouses were demolished in 1808 and replaced by warehousing; the street at the rear of the almshouses was named Mayes Street to commemorate the work of the Edward Mayes charity.Over time the charity of Edward Mayes was amalgamated with 4 other charities these being the Hartley Charity founded in 1678, Sutton Charity founded 1687, Buckley Charity founded 1848 and the Westwood Charity founded in 1877.

The almshouses of the Westwood Charity built in 1877 in Moss Side are still occupied today and are currently owned by Manchester City Council.

In 1999 the Charity Commission agreed to the charity being renamed The Edward Mayes Trust.

Following the end of the war in 1945 the trustees of the charity decided to focus their work on replacing the Buckley almshouses in Openshaw which were destroyed in the war and plans were drawn up for a larger scheme to be built at Mayes Gardens, Ancoats.

The Trust has been based at its Mayes Gardens estate in Ancoats Manchester since 1953 when the 40 almshouses were officially opened by HRH Princess Margaret on the 17th November 1953.

In 2005 the Trust began a program of modernisation of its bungalows and apartments which is due to be completed by the end of 2007.

When completed an estate specifically designed to meet the needs of older people will have been created , incorporating modern standards in building design and construction and the provision of management and support services to provide a peaceful and relaxing environment for residents to enjoy their retirement.