Celebrating Founders Day 2026

On this day in 1868, Sir Josiah Mason founded the Sir Josiah Mason Trust (SJMT), which is now part of MY Trust.

This Founder’s Day, we’re celebrating a new chapter in almshouse tradition which continues his vital work for young people.

The history of SJMT

In the 1850s, Sir Josiah Mason built almshouses to accommodate around 30 ‘spinsters and widows’ and over 20 orphaned girls.

He went on to build Birmingham’s largest orphanage in 1868. Marking the founding of SJMT, the orphanage initially housed and educated around 300 children, later expanding to support around 500 children.

He established his charity on a simple but powerful belief: that safe homes, education and opportunity can transform lives. Our Trust has grown and evolved, but we continue to be guided by the same principles.

MY Trust continues Sir Josiah’s work

Recently, we recognised that care-experienced young people face greater pressures. Rising housing costs, unstable accommodation, and lack of family support put many at risk of homelessness during a crucial life stage.

These challenges, and Sir Josiah Mason’s legacy, inspired us to refocus on supporting young people.

Meeson Apartments - our first purpose-built almshouses for young people in more than 170 years

Completed in March 2026, Meeson Apartments represent a confident step forward, combining historic values with modern, sustainable housing solutions.

The four high‑quality apartments are designed specifically to offer independence, security, and access to support. Each apartment is:

• EPC‑rated A, featuring air‑source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels

• Fully self‑contained

  Inclusive of a private patio or balcony, a spacious double bedroom, a lounge with access to a dedicated kitchen, and a modern wet room

The scheme was completed by Harper Group Ltd, following careful planning and consultation.

Every aspect of the design reflects the needs of young people transitioning into independent living, with wrap‑around support from the Shine team and housing services.

This integrated approach ensures that the apartments provide more than shelter: they offer a stable foundation for education, employment, personal growth and resilience. 

As the apartments are located on the edge of our largest site, intergenerational activities are available, including ‘Grandfriends’, where young people are matched with older residents for mutual friendship and support.

The project has been funded by a combination of Homes England funding (accessed via The Almshouse Consortium Ltd), charity reserves, and fundraising support from a range of charitable trusts. It reflects our Trustees’ long‑term commitment to reinvesting in communities and responding proactively to emerging social need, offering young people stability, dignity, and the opportunity to shape a future on their own terms. 

The apartments are named in honour of Ken Meeson, a long‑serving Trustee and former Mayor of Solihull.

Impact

Meeson Apartments is already providing four young care leavers with stability that they didn’t have before.

Each of them now has a foundation from which to focus on work, education, health, relationships and the future as they navigate adulthood.

For more information about our services for young people, including the Shine service, click here.