ABOUT ALMSHOUSES
Mason Yardley Trust, or MY Trust, was formerly known as Sir Josiah Mason Trust and The Yardley Great Trust Group. Rooted in centuries of community service, the trust has a proud history of supporting people and providing vital care long before any public welfare system existed.
WHAT ARE ALMSHOUSES?
Almshouses provide housing for people, typically those who are older and can no longer earn money to pay rent, allowing them to live in a particular geographical area. They are often aimed at those in need, people from certain occupations, or their widows, and are generally maintained by a charity or the trustees of a bequest.
THE HISTORY OF MY TRUST
The history of almshouses can be traced back to medieval times, including the roots of The Yardley Great Trust Group which was formed in 1355.
John de Yerdeleye, who was bailiff to the monks of Maxstoke Priory, issued a charter assigning his lands and buildings in the township of Yardley to be held for the benefit of local people.
Over the generations, other sites were endowed and held in trust to relieve poverty in the parish. As well as providing almshousing, places of worship, and education, generous benefactors also gifted provisions such as warm gowns, bread, coal, money, and clothing.
Although almshouses have existed since medieval times, around 30% of the current almshouses were founded during the Victorian period. This was due to the numbers of people moving to urban areas in search of work, and poor conditions in workhouses, which inspired wealthy philanthropists to provide more suitable housing.
Among these philanthropists was Sir Josiah Mason, who in 1858, provided homes for 30 ‘spinsters and widows’ and 20 orphan girls in Erdington. A decade later, the Sir Josiah Mason Trust was founded ahead of the opening of a second, larger orphanage with rooms for 26 women and dormitories for 300 children.
Josiah went on to found schools, a dispensary, and Mason Science College, the forerunner of the University of Birmingham. He died in 1881 aged 86, widely regarded as one of the UK’s most esteemed industrialists and philanthropists.
THE FUTURE OF ALMSHOUSES
Almshouses remain a valuable and thriving form of affordable housing in the 21st century, promoting independence and togetherness, and offering a level of support often not found in other forms of social housing.
Unlike social housing, people living in almshouses are ‘residents’ rather than ‘tenants’. They pay a weekly maintenance contribution which is similar to rent in practice, but different in law.
In April 2026, Sir Josiah Mason Trust and The Yardley Great Trust Group came together as Mason Yardley Trust, or MY Trust, continuing their shared mission as an almshouse charity.
We apply a broad definition of ‘in need’ and don’t restrict residency based on previous occupation or local connections, but applications are restricted to anyone aged 55 plus.
We welcome people with limited financial means but also recognise that some people may have wider needs that can be met by MY Trust. Therefore, we also welcome people who self-fund their accommodation.