CHARITY from a Victorian millowner is still providing comfortable homes for older people in need in Westbury.
But while the Laverton Trust started out with just seven almshouses in 1886, it now provides 15 modern flats and houses in the town.
Almshouses are the oldest form of social housing and have been around for more than 1,000 years. There are currently more than 30,000 almshouse dwellings throughout the UK providing affordable homes for over 36,000 residents. And currently in Westbury, the Laverton Trust is inviting applicants.
The trust is managed by a group of trustees, and applicants for housing have to be over 60 with a connection to the Westbury area, of modest income and minimal capital or savings, and be able to live independently.
Chair of the trust Karin Elder said, “Our properties are well maintained within friendly and safe communities. They are of great benefit to elderly people who might not otherwise be able to afford living in their neighbourhood. As trustees we do our best to support residents to retain their dignity, freedom and independence.”
Help with providing housing in the town started with William Laverton who had inherited a fortune from his millowner philanthropist uncle Abraham. In accordance with his wishes, seven homes in Prospect Square were then earmarked for old and disabled mill workers.
Prospect Square, also known as the City of Refuge, had actually been built by Abraham Laverton to house not only his mill workers but also those who had lost their homes and livelihoods by voting for Laverton in the parliamentary election – this was before the secret ballot was introduced and everyone knew just how you had voted, often to your detriment.
The Laverton name still lives on, both in the name of the housing trust itself, but also in the name of its development off All Saints’ churchyard which was built in 1983 with the proceeds of the sale of all but one of the original almshouses. Laverton Court, a private and gated housing complex, has two houses and four flats.
The Laverton Trust also paid for the development of seven homes at Vista Court off Warminster Road, so named as it was once the site of the old Vista cinema. Trust properties range from one to two bedrooms and most are on the ground floor and have parking. While the type and quality of the almshouses accommodation has changed over the years, the ethos and commitment started by Laverton is still here.
Interested? To find out more and obtain an application form please contact: lht1886@yahoo.com
