About Glover’s Trust

Glover’s Trust has provided accommodation to those in need for 200 years. Now an exciting refurbishment project has laid the foundations for our future.

Glover’s Trust has provided accommodation to those in need for 200 years. Now an exciting refurbishment project has laid the foundations for our future.

A short history of Glover's Trust

We were founded in 1824 by Mrs Sarah Glover, widow of a prominent Birmingham builder Charles Glover.

The first almshouses were built on Steelhouse Lane in the city. They were originally for local poor, older women “who shall in the judgment of the Trustees be Godly persons”. Further almshouses were built nearby in 1852.

In 1930, the trust began building these almshouses in Sutton Coldfield. Residents from the city centre site moved here in 1932. A 1934 front page of the Birmingham Mail features residents under the banner headline ‘Haven of peace’.

Further additions and changes were made in 1953 and 1984.

Glover's plaque

Our future

The historic almshouses have been revitalised by a £2.9 million improvement programme, completed in 2017.

It involved refurbishing and extending the 31 existing cottages and building two new ones. The sympathetic modernisation work brought the cottages up-to-date and enhanced the site’s special character.

Through careful planning and phased building work, the disruption to residents was kept to a minimum. Most residents remained at the scheme while the work was underway.

This exciting project was funded by the Trust, with the help of Charity Bank. It is benefited from significant grant support from the government’s Homes and Communities Agency (now Homes England) and generous donations from charitable bodies.

Cottages being repainted

Site manager

Kevin Hickin

Our scheme manager, Kevin Hickin, is responsible for the day-to-day running of the site. He is based here each weekday, from 9am to 5pm.

Kevin joined Glover’s ten years ago with 15 years’ management experience in the retirement care and social housing sector. Prior to that, he trained as a nurse after making a career change from being a welder.

Kevin lives in Sutton Coldfield with his wife and has three stepchildren. He enjoys travelling, cooking, reading and watching sports, especially boxing. Other interests include world affairs, science and technology.

Site Manager Kevin Hickin

The role of the scheme manager

Kevin’s role is to support the wellbeing and independence of residents. It is also to make sure it is a safe, secure and well-maintained place to live.

This includes:

  • making a daily morning telephone call to check on residents’ welfare
  • making referrals for support where needed, for example for social care services
  • giving general advice to help residents obtain their benefit entitlements
  • liaising with family members and local community contacts
  • encouraging and organising social activities and events
  • carrying out site health and safety checks and risk assessments
  • arranging grounds maintenance work and repairs with our approved contractors

 

Trustees

Glover’s is managed by a group of trustees. These are volunteers who live in the local community and have skills and experience from different walks of life.

The group meets six times a year, with individual trustees taking on specialist tasks and responsibilities, such as financial planning and planned maintenance. Residents can arrange to see a trustee about any matter of concern.

Alison Bessey

Bob Strachan

Chris Haslam

Maggie and Alan Vickery

Mike Hepburn

Pam Johnston – Chairman

Peter Edmonds

We offer more than a place to live. Our residents lounge is a space to socialise, with weekly coffee mornings giving residents the opportunity to discuss any concerns.

Pam Johnston, Chairman

Glover's Trust
2016-12-06T17:03:38+00:00

Pam Johnston, Chairman

We offer more than a place to live. Our residents lounge is a space to socialise, with weekly coffee mornings giving residents the opportunity to discuss any concerns.
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Glover's Trust

Location

We are situated off Chester Road, in the Boldmere area of Sutton Coldfield, near Birmingham. There is a bus stop directly outside and Chester Road railway station on the cross-city line is a short walk away.




Sarah Glover House
31 Sarah Glover Close
Sutton Coldfield
West Midlands
B73 5BW

Glover's Trust

Glover's Trust is a registered charity providing historic almshouses for older people in need of affordable housing.

Registered address

Sarah Glover House
31 Sarah Glover Close
Sutton Coldfield
West Midlands
B73 5BW

Charity registration number

1164175

Contact us

enquiries@gloverstrust.org

0121 373 1506


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