Useful information
- Our residents are not charged rent as they are not tenants. Instead, they pay a weekly maintenance fee which goes into maintaining our beautiful building
- We are members of the Almshouse Association
- Our registered Charity number is 214466
About Us
Opening its doors in 1927, Foords has been providing accommodation for independent living residents in a safe and sociable environment ever since.
Built as the result of a legacy from Thomas Hellyar Foord, a locally born businessman, this generous man also bequeathed monies for Rochester Museum, Rochester Cathedral, and a nurses' home at St Bartholomew's Hospital, Rochester.
The building sits in a lawned and wooded site of 10 acres overlooking the River Medway and the Almshouses are the result of some very fine architecture designed by Sir Guy Dawber and includes murals by Gerald Moira, RA, principal of Edinburgh College of Art. The bronzes by Ernest Gillick and stained glass by Robert Anning Bell, all celebrated artists of their day.
The Almshouses now provide a combination of single and double flats for people living in the Medway area who find themselves in housing need.
There are meeting/ social areas including the main hall and library. The main square and gardens have seating and a Bandstand
.
Our on site kitchens can provide a hot mid-day meal from Monday to Friday at competitive costs and we have a team of staff who maintain the site.
There is a Board of Trustees appointed for the Charity who meet monthly. The day to day running of the Almshouses is under the care of the Clerk and team.