The board of trustees of St John’s Winchester met on Monday 14 June and with great sadness decided to affirm its proposal to close its Moorside care home following the end of consultations. The decision follows careful consideration by the board of the results of the charity’s consultation exercise with families of Moorside residents, Moorside staff, almshouse residents and staff charity-wide.

Chair of the board, Roger Bright, said: “We want to thank all those who took part in the consultation process for their thoughts, ideas and suggestions, which we have considered very carefully. Regrettably, however, no workable solutions emerged as to how to close the funding gap between our reduced income and our costs in a way that would allow St John’s to continue to operate Moorside and provide the high standard of care which we consider so important. Our high care standards are achieved first and foremost through the skill and endeavour of our staff. But the small scale and configuration of Moorside as a building also requires a generous staffing policy to maintain these care standards and, sadly, this comes at a significant financial cost which we can no longer sustain. 

Chief Executive, Clive Cook, said: “Now that the decision to close Moorside has been taken, the charity’s number one focus in the short term is to achieve the best possible managed closure of the home.  We will offer full  support to residents, their families and our brilliant Moorside staff, whose contributions were kindly acknowledged by families of Moorside residents, especially in meeting the enormous challenges posed by the pandemic.

“We will keep open good lines of communication with relatives throughout the process and work closely with the families and Hampshire County Council to achieve the best possible outcomes for our residents. Whilst we would expect that the home will close by the end of September, the precise timing will be determined by the needs of our residents and their families. We will not rush the process of helping our residents find suitable new homes in a safe way.” 

The closure process will result in a collective staff redundancy situation, but the charity is committed to supporting employees with an enhanced redundancy package, expert help to prepare CVs and to hone interview skills, and by doing what it can to  help staff to find new work.

Looking to the future, St John’s plans not to dispose of the Moorside site, but, subject to planning permission, to repurpose it and develop up to 18 new almshouses which would provide fully-adapted accommodation for older people of limited financial means. The first steps in that process will begin over the next few months.

Roger Bright added: “All of us here at St John’s would like to thank the family members who took part in the consultation process and applaud our Moorside Matron and staff, many of whom have committed to staying with St John’s until the closure is complete. We are still reflecting on the consultations and will be taking on board a number of suggestions as we progress our future plans.

“We want to develop dementia care in the future and we are now looking at a project to take dementia support out into the community to help those living with dementia and their family members to better cope with this devastating disease.”

St John’s Winchester prepares to forge ahead with its expansion plans to maximise potential housing in the city for local older people.

Preparatory works at its Colebrook Street site are expected to begin in March 2021. This development will see 15 new almshouses connected directly to the Charity’s existing city centre community, comprising a state-of-the-art block of fully adapted apartments, to enable older people to live independently for as long as possible. The new and older almshouses will be integrated with the existing Southside almshouses and will sit in a landscaped area. The development will bring the added benefit of the reformation of a character building, namely 108 Colebrook Street.

The Colebrook development represents a first step in ambitious plans the Charity is developing to expand its accommodation and services. These will focus on building vibrant and supportive communities for local older people and helping older people to live well in the wider community (including those living with dementia and their families) through innovative services such as Hand in Hand.

The Charity had proposed to develop additional almshouses on its Chesil Street site. The next challenge for the Charity is to build further supportive communities for older people on larger sites which will better support energy efficient and future-proof housing, state-of-the-art facilities and have sufficient scale to make care and support economic. St John’s will continue its site investigation efforts for further construction in future years.

The Charity decided to dispose of its ownership in Chesil Street and to realise funds for re-investment in new developments. St John’s Winchester is pleased to be able to support the expansion plans of Winchester Dramatic Society (WDS). Its planned Annexe will mean a significant improvement in on-site facilities, which should bring wider community benefits.

In addition to the sale to WDS, the Charity has completed the sale of land on the site to a private buyer, and contracts are exchanged for the sale of the remaining portion of the site for the refurbishment of three derelict cottages which front Chesil Street.

St John’s Chair of Trustees, Roger Bright, said: “We are at a very exciting stage of the Charity’s growth; we have much work to do and are determined to forge ahead with our plans to develop our services to benefit more local older people including those of limited means. We intend to build success of our Hand in Hand community outreach and social prescribing service which has operated throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

As a registered charity we have great respect for the charitable and community-focused activities of the Chesil Theatre and are pleased we have reached a mutually beneficial agreement. We continue to support WDS with the building of their annexe in order to enhance significantly the current theatre.”

Clive Cook, Chief Executive, said: “St John’s has a long history of over nine centuries, and the new units on Colebrook Street will ensure we can continue to support older people in the community in a sustainable way. The Colebrook Street site will allow the St John’s almshouse community to endure and flourish in the city  within a modern setting, with occupiers of the new units having the benefit to integrate into our existing community and have direct access to our wonderful city centre.

You can read more on the Hampshire Chronicle here.

St John’s Winchester’s Charity Response [25.09.20]

Summary

As an ancient but active charity based in the heart of Winchester, providing housing and care for elderly people in need, St John’s Winchester believes it has an important contribution to make to the development of a new Vision for the City.

St John’s believes that Winchester City and the City Centre “punch below their weight.” They need to make better use of what they have. They need to be rebranded and marketed much more successfully to attract more businesses and visitors, to generate a prosperous economy that reflects the outstanding heritage assets but with new development of a design quality that respects the City’s unique character.

The vision should express a comprehensive commitment to addressing climate change, whilst creating a much larger central pedestrian area, beautifully landscaped with an exciting programme of daily events. There is potential to increase the cultural and arts framework with more museums, galleries and performance buildings to complement those existing. The objective is to make the City Centre and City one of the most attractive in Europe: an enviable destination for residents, visitors and workers. Future plans, policies and programmes should attract and sustain business and development investment that enhances the historic and environmental core, and emphasises more how the City is a great place for people of all ages, cultures and income levels to live enriched lives.

Economic prosperity can be achieved with a wider variety of jobs, especially for the young. St John’s Winchester intends to contribute to the achievement of these objectives as a principal City Centre landlord and an experienced provider of care and dementia services, facilities, almshouses and other affordable accommodation, primarily for older people; our primary customers.

Context

St John’s Winchester is a registered charity and has been in existence for over 900 years – it is part of the historic fabric of the City.  Our vision is for the older people of Winchester to “Live Well”, and we are looking to expand our services and accommodation provision despite the challenging times.  

The charity holds a unique position as owner of many retail and office properties in and around the High Street. At the same time, it provides almshouses for over 100 local people and nurtures a supportive community, which enables independent living for older people in historic Winchester.

Our St John’s Moorside Home for those living with dementia has a very strong reputation for great care, and our St John’s Hand in Hand service (operating across the Winchester district) has to date supported over 300 people outside our own older people’s community since its inception in late 2018. 

Over time, the generous citizens of Winchester have gifted us property and land which we have applied to shelter people and raise funds for our charitable purposes for many centuries.

We benefit from a property portfolio, including Winchester High Street retail and commercial properties and investments. The recent decline in High Street retail (mainly due to the growth of online alternative shopping, and now COVID-19), are serious threats to the income for our charitable activities. We are also faced with a complex planning environment for the type of affordable housing and dementia accommodation we wish to develop.

Vision – The Case for Change

The vibrancy of our High Street is under threat from reduced returns because of homeworking, the consequences of COVID-19, and the growth of internet shopping. The City Centre suffers from traffic congestion and pollution, and its competitive position as a resident, visitor, and worker centre is being challenged.

“Place” investment in pedestrianisation and public spaces can help attract people to our City Centre. The existing cultural facilities might be better accessed and promoted, and there is a perceived need for new arts, music and museum facilities that would improve the reputation of the City in comparison with other competitors. The visitor attraction messages could be more cohesive. The City Centre is not yet recognised as a centre of eco/sustainable development and the listed building, archaeological, and conservation area characteristics do not always attract development investment in a form that secures community support.

In a recent Which? survey of attractive places to visit in the UK, Winchester was 8^th out of 15 in the medium cities and towns category.  There is an opportunity for it to be first.

Vision – The Potential

In order to create an attractive environment for investment and development that both suits and realises the potential of the City Centre to enhance its resident, visitor, and worker credentials, the following is required:

1. 1. A positive and informed planning and regulatory regime which may require evolution at the national as well as local (city and county) levels. It is not yet clear whether the Government’s current proposals for the planning system will achieve this in a satisfactory manner or whether proposals for a unitary authority or Mayor are appropriate. Any changes require the consideration of a wider range of City Centre uses than currently exist and a framework for more affordable housing – especially for the young and elderly. Winchester needs to be perceived as an attractive and low risk area for development, investment, and effective management of climate change. High quality, beautiful (and profitable) design needs to become the expectation and outcome for the local and wider community. The management of planning responsibilities is much improved but the important function of conservation and archaeological oversight needs to be delivered in a manner that ensures high quality standards are maintained, but where matters are resolved in a sensitive, effective and speedy manner. Imaginative new City Centre uses (such as an office campus, media and young persons’ hubs), attractive housing – both affordable and exclusive – specialist and internet hub retail, and arts and cultural attractions, are required.

1. 2. The removal of vehicular traffic (perhaps with a first phase encouraging electric and hybrid vehicles), together with an increase in pedestrian areas with associated landscaping and event management, will enhance Winchester City Centre. It needs to enhance its reputation for attracting sustainable development and consolidate its position as one of the most attractive places in the country.

1. 3. Public and private landlords and land/property owners need to co-operate to deliver a co-ordinated, imaginative and innovative approach to regeneration and development in partnership with government at all levels. This may require new delivery arrangements, especially regarding affordable housing and “place creation” . It needs to be phased so that experience is acquired and applied, and appropriate changes are made as enhancement progresses.

1. 4. A community and authority owned vision and strategy, which secures the optimum support from all sectors of society, and realises the extraordinary potential and expertise available in the City is achievable. The variety and diversity of the communities within the city are a strong feature. There is considerable potential to bring the various views together in a constructive manner, emphasising cross generational living and whole community co-operation as evidenced by St John’s Winchester over the last 900 years. The recent increase in small local community activity in response to COVID-19 is a demonstration of the potential for community engagement throughout the city, which needs to be captured and applied to future governance.

1. 5. There may be scope for a high-level stakeholder group to support the regeneration strategy, a “Place Board” to support local council leadership. As a first priority, cohesive marketing of the attractions in the city and of a planning authority that encourages the special types of development (that support and enhance the heritage and diverse communities of the City), could feature. Engaging existing and attracting new business would also be a high priority.

Vision – The Role of St John’s Winchester and its Future

However, the Charity needs access to more land for almshouses and dementia accommodation as part of mixed-use developments. It needs a flexible planning regime to allow new income generating uses in the City Centre, in its listed buildings, and in new development, whilst sustaining existing retail and office tenants. We have already lobbied MHCLG on flexible use class consideration in city centres, and sought the reduction of VAT on listed building alterations from the current City Minister, the MP for Salisbury.

The Charity has promoted a discussion to consider use class change, both for affordable housing for older people and in the High Street, but without undermining the retail and office content. This flexibility and commitment to quality is especially required in new development proposals where an increase in retail use except specialist uses, is perhaps unlikely. For land in public ownership a capital receipt is essential, but a mixture of profitable and non-profitable development is eminently achievable if sensitively and imaginatively designed and developed.

St John’s Winchester has played and wishes to continue to play a part in providing great places, especially for older people in financial or other need.

The Charity is keen to continue to work as a “charitable” developer with other senior stakeholders, Property, Housing, and Planning Departments in the City Council, the NHS and Social Services Department in the County Council, and as a landlord to support place-making initiatives, to sustain and create an attractive investment and care environment to support its charitable work. We plan to create more places that allow older people to “live well.”

We offer these views on the Vision for Winchester as a charity, investor/developer and active and long-standing member of the Winchester Community.

Have you ever thought about living in the centre of historic and picturesque Winchester?

This is a dream shared by many, but with the beauty and renown of Winchester often comes a competitively high price for housing. However, the St John’s almshouse community makes exquisite accommodation and an affordable way of living in the city centre possible! The Charity’s almshouses are available to local older people (or those who have family in the area) of retirement age – read on to discover more.

Affordable living in the heart of the city centre

There truly is no other rival when it comes to convenience of location; our almshouses are located in the very heart of the city.

Our almshouse accommodation is spread over four attractive sites in central Winchester, with amenities and shops right on the doorstep.

The four sites comprise of St John’s South, St John’s North, St Mary Magdalen and Christes Hospital.

Almshouses are an affordable way of living that allows you to maintain your independence within a friendly and supportive setting. Our particular provision of accommodation is unique in Winchester and indeed the country. It is unique because of the levels of support and community that we offer.

Living here, there’s no need to worry about day-to-day maintenance and repairs. We have our own in-house maintenance team who keep all our properties to a high standard, supported by our Facilities Manager.

There are many other benefits, including an onsite Wellbeing Team (a team of dedicated staff who are present around the clock to offer support) and Office Staff. The Office is open throughout the working week. Other perks include beautiful outdoor spaces and gardens – a green haven in the middle of the bustling city! There are plenty of resident-led groups and clubs, as well as outings, trips, parties, and more. The almshouses are a sociable and vibrant place to be.

Live in some of Winchester’s most noted, historic buildings

Winchester is a tourist hot spot and is celebrated across the world for its architecture and history. Living in the St John’s almshouses means that you will experience some of the history of the city, everyday.

With over nine centuries of history, living in the St John’s Winchester almshouses means that you too will be part of this rich and longstanding legacy.

Our almshouses are exquisitely well-kept and preserved to retain original features, but with the comfort that modern facilities afford. You can read more about our current accommodation and plans for future housing here.

Surrounded by a vibrant support network

Many individuals who come to the St John’s Almshouses are recently retired, or are looking for a new start in a supportive yet independent community setting. Often it might be the case that their individual circumstances have changed – such as family members moving away – which means they seek a support network close to home.

There is a strong sense of family, community and camaraderie here. Members of the St John’s Winchester community are good neighbours to each other and are actively involved in the wider community as volunteers and members of local organisations. For those who prefer to live more quietly and with less interaction with others, that is always respected.

We have an active Residents’ Forum which meets on a quarterly basis. As an almshouse resident, you too will have the opportunity to have a direct say in the Charity’s day-to-day running and its vision for the future.

The Forum is chaired by a resident – who is appointed by the group – and it provides the senior management with the opportunity to consult with residents on major initiatives.

There are many opportunities to volunteer internally within the Charity, whether its through supporting each other via the Good Neighbours group or through St John’s Hand in Hand.

At St John’s, you are not just a resident but also a community member.

Eligibility Criteria:

We provide accommodation for people of retirement age, typically 60 years old and over, who have a clear financial and social need for the extensive range of care and support which we provide.

Applicants should be capable of living independently.

Visit our admissions page for a full list of criteria and to download an application form.

Contact us today if you would like to apply or find out more about life in the Almshouses.

 

It’s difficult to condense into a few sentences the reasons I like living at St John’s.  I love the location – so close to the city centre – the river walks and Winnall Moors.  The gardens here are wonderful; they made being in lockdown bearable.  

I am surrounded by tranquillity, friendship and support. 

We have even had yoga classes on the lawn when it isn’t possible to be indoors.  The welfare team have been imaginative in finding ways to raise morale during these last difficult months…

Almshouse Resident