A short history
Glover’s Trust was founded in 1824 by Mrs Sarah Glover, the widow of Charles Glover, a well-known Birmingham builder.
The first almshouses were built on Steelhouse Lane in Birmingham, providing homes for older women from the local area. More almshouses were added nearby in 1852 as the Trust continued to grow.
In 1930, the Trust began building the almshouses in Sutton Coldfield, and in 1932 residents moved from the city centre to their new homes. A front-page article in the Birmingham Mail in 1934 described the community as a “Haven of peace”.
Over the years, the almshouses have been carefully updated, with further additions and improvements made in 1953, 1984 and 2017.
Our future
In 2017, our historic almshouses were given a new lease of life through a £2.9 million improvement programme.
The project refurbished and extended all 31 existing cottages and added two new homes. Careful, sympathetic modernisation has made the cottages more comfortable for modern living, while protecting the special character of the site.
Great care was taken to minimise disruption during the work. Most residents were able to remain in their homes throughout the project, thanks to careful planning and phased building work.
This important project was funded by the Trust, with support from Charity Bank. It was also made possible through significant grant funding from the government’s Homes and Communities Agency (now Homes England), alongside generous donations from other charitable organisations.
Trustees
Glover’s Trust is cared for by a group of trustees who give their time voluntarily and are committed to the wellbeing of our residents. All of our trustees live in the local area and bring a broad range of skills and experience.
The trustees meet regularly throughout the year and each takes responsibility for specific areas, such as finances or planned maintenance, to make sure the almshouses are well managed and looked after. Residents are welcome to speak to a trustee at any time about questions, concerns or ideas — and can be confident they will be listened to and supported.