In 1618 Dr Thomas Edwards left £100 for the benefit of the poor of Fulham…
About us
Nearly 400 years after the original bequest and 155 years after the creation of the two “branches”, Hammersmith United Charities is thriving as a locally focused, community oriented charity. We operate across the eight wards in the North of the LB of Hammersmith and Fulham (our “Area of Benefit”) serving a highly diverse population of about 95000 people.
We have two main purposes;
- The provision of supportive housing for older people
- A programme of grants which relieve “need” in all its many forms amongst the residents of our Area of Benefit.
A board of voluntary trustees some nominated by local organisations linked to the 17th century donors (the current Bishop of Fulham and the Latymer Foundation) governs the charity and shapes its strategy. We are always on the look out for new trustees – local people with skills and experience to contribute.
Our two modern almshouses, the sheltered housing schemes of John Betts House and Sycamore House, with their acclaimed, prize winning gardens are the charity’s physical connection to the Area of Benefit. Equally important are our community partnerships and collaborations with a wide range of other types of organisation and with individuals – which represent our connection to the emotional heart of our Area of Benefit.