Tewkesbury Almshouse Trust

The Tewkesbury Almshouse Trust is a newly established local charity formed through the merger of two long‑standing almshouse trusts serving the Tewkesbury community. While the Trust itself is new, it builds on centuries of charitable heritage and a shared commitment to providing secure, affordable housing for vulnerable residents in our town.

The merger brings together historic almshouse properties and shared charitable purposes under a single organisation, enabling a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable approach to governance and service delivery. Key stakeholders include Holy Trinity Church and Tewkesbury Abbey, with whom the Trust works closely to honour its historic foundations while ensuring relevance in a modern context.

As part of this new chapter, the Trust is professionalising its administration and operational arrangements to support residents, Trustees, and partners more effectively. This role represents the first employed member of staff and will play a pivotal part in shaping systems, processes, and ways of working from the outset. The Trust oversees property management, repairs and maintenance, compliance, governance support, and resident engagement, with a strong emphasis on integrity, care, and community benefit. This is a unique opportunity to help establish a professional, values‑led organisation that balances historic legacy with modern charitable practice and has a lasting positive impact in Tewkesbury.

Working For Tewkesbury Abbey

This new role will be employed by Tewkesbury Abbey on behalf of the Tewkesbury Almshouse Trust. Working at Tewkesbury Abbey offers the opportunity to contribute to a unique organisation where history and tradition sit alongside professionalism, innovation, and public engagement, all within a collaborative, welcoming and fun environment. Not all roles require a practising faith, but all employees are invited to work in a culture shaped by integrity, collaboration and service.

Application Process

To apply for this position please send a completed Application Form via email to coo@tewkesburyabbey.org.uk no later than the deadline of midday on Wednesday 27 May 2026. Interviews for the position are expected to take place week commencing 15 June 2026. Applications can also be posted, please send a completed Application Form to: Recruitment Team, Tewkesbury Abbey, Church Street, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL20 5RZ. Any applications that arrive after the deadline via email or post will not be considered.

If you would like an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Will Jones, Chief Operating Officer at the above email address, or by telephone on 01684 856142. Due to the large volume of applications we are unable to provide feedback to non-shortlisted applicants.

Applications will be judged only against the criteria which are set out in the job description and person specification, and applicants should ensure that their applications explain how they meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of their skills and experience. This may include experience gained in employment, education, or during career breaks.

Tewkesbury Abbey is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions. Members of the selection panel will be aware of the principles of equality of opportunity, fair selection and the risks of bias. Applications are particularly welcome from candidates with global majority backgrounds, who are under-represented in Abbey staff.

Job Description: Almshouse Clerk

Job Title	Almshouse Clerk
Employer	Tewkesbury Abbey, on behalf of the Tewkesbury Almshouse Trust
Line Manager	Benefice Administrator, Tewkesbury Abbey
Days and Hours	8 hours per week (subject to review after the first year) to include someweekends and evenings
Place of Work	Office on-site at Tewkesbury Abbey, Church Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5RZ
Salary	£6,000 per annum Pro-Rata; £30,000 per annum 0.2 Full-Time Equivalent
On-Call	Requirement to hold the on-call mobile phone for resident emergencies
Date of Issue	May 2026

Overall purpose of Job

The Clerk is the primary professional and pastoral link between the Tewkesbury Almshouse Charities, its residents, and the Board of Trustees. This is a resident-facing role that balances administrative property management and governance with a high degree of emotional intelligence.

The post-holder will manage the day-to-day operations of 13 properties, ensuring the safety and well-being of elderly and vulnerable residents. Employed by Tewkesbury Abbey, the Clerk will benefit from the management of the Abbey’s Benefice Administrator as well as support from the COO and Senior Management Team, while acting as the face of the Charity to the residents and the wider community.

Key Responsibilities

Build and maintain trusted relationships as the primary resident contact, delivering proactive welfare support and managing sensitive issues with empathy and professionalism.

• Act as key liaison for families, stakeholders, and the local community, ensuring clear communication and strong partnership working.

• Lead end-to-end property and resident management, coordinating maintenance, contractors, and the full admissions lifecycle to ensure smooth operations.

Ensure full compliance across health & safety and regulatory requirements, maintaining accurate records and implementing robust policies (e.g. safeguarding, GDPR).

Support effective governance and operations, including board administration, financial processing, and leading digital improvements such as website development.

To be a hands-on member of the team working in partnership with colleagues, volunteers and members of the congregation for the flourishing of the Abbey as a spiritual, cultural and heritage resource to the town, region, nation and church.

Responsibilities and accountabilities	Nature and Scope of Role
Resident Liaison & Pastoral Care	Relationship Management: Act as the primary, visible point of contact for residents. Develop a rapport based on trust, patience, and respect for elderly and vulnerable individuals.
	Welfare & Communication: Conduct regular property visits to check on resident well-being. Facilitate "difficult conversations" with sensitivity, including discussions regarding health declines, breaches of occupancy agreements, or neighbour disputes. Next of Kin Liaison: Act as the professional link between the Charity and residents' families/next of kin, particularly during times of crisis or transition. On-Call Support: Hold and manage the Almshouse on-call mobile phone, ensuring a responsive and calm point of contact for emergencies. Work in a professional, courteous and respectful partnership with members of the Tewkesbury community, including the Abbey.
Property & Digital Oversight	Maintenance Coordination: Serve as the first point of contact for repairs. Coordinate contractors for routine and emergency works, ensuring minimal disruption to residents. Void & Admissions Management: Manage the end-to-end process for new residents, from initial application and "home visits'" to settling-in and departures. Website Development: Lead and oversee the development of a website for the Charity to improve transparency, provide information to prospective applicants, and digitise application forms. Digital Progression: Lead on the establishment of digital information management aspects such as online document sharing (for trustees as well as residents) and auditable secure email provision for trust business.
Governance & Administration	safety checks, ensuring all I3 properties remain safe and compliant. Trustee Support: Prepare agendas and board papers; attend meetings and record accurate minutes. Policy Development: Lead the creation, review, and systematic implementation of a comprehensive range of policies and procedures (e.g., Admissions, Safeguarding, Maintenance, and GDPR) to ensure the Charity operates to modern standards. Financial Admin: Work with the Treasurer and Abbey finance team to process invoices and monitor the budget. Monitor contributions from residents. Compliance: Ensure all statutory filings with the Charity Commission and The Almshouse Association (TAA) are completed. Ensure the Charity remains compliant with all other relevant housing bodies and statutory regulations.

	Generic Responsibilities
'	The role requires the post-holder to do occasional work at weekends, bank holidays and evenings.Time of in lieu will be given or overtime may be paid as agreed with Line Manager.
2	To ensure that all health and safety instructions are followed and that care is taken to ensure safetyfor self and colleagues, reporting concerns immediately
3	To undertake when requested other duties as may reasonably be expected

Safeguarding

Tewkesbury Abbey is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All post holders and volunteers are expected to share this commitment, to work within the policy and procedures of the relevant safeguarding policy and are required to attend all relevant safeguarding training. Appointment will be made under CofE safer recruitment framework. Further details can be found here: www.tewkesburyabbey.org.uk/safeguarding

Data Privacy

Please note that any personal data submitted to Tewkesbury Abbey as part of the job application process will be used only for the purposes of determining suitability for the post and processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and related UK data protection legislation. For further information, please see the Tewkesbury Abbey Privacy Notice available here.

Person Specification: Almshouse Clerk

Attributes	Job Requirements (Essential or Desirable)
Experience	Experience working with elderly or vulnerable people. Experience in a resident-facing or public-facing role. Formal minute-taking and administrative experience.
Skills	Ability to communicate complex information to people with varying needs. Proficiency in MS Office (Word/Excel). Desirable: • Knowledge of the Almshouse Association standards. Understanding of safeguarding for vulnerable adults. Essential:
Personal Attributes	Resilience: Ability to remain calm during emergencies or when handling "on-call" situations. High level of discretion and confidentiality. Desirable: • A local connection to Tewkesbury or the Abbey/Holy Trinity community.
Physical/Other	Essential: • Enhanced DBS Check (required). • Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle.

Connect with a cause that needs you!

Almshouse Clerk