St John & St Anne Housing Charity.
Independent living, in the heart of Rutland. Founded 1399
Our People & Homes
St John and St Annes Almshouse Charity is one of the oldest and most successful charities in Rutland, that continues to go from strength to strength putting the older people we support at the heart of everything we do.
Welcome to St John and St Annes housing Charity, we pride ourselves on providing a vibrant, friendly and caring community where older people are encouraged to live full and active lives within the setting of high quality housing, support, comfort and security.
We have 103 lovely homes which includes one and two bedroom flats and bungalows located across Oakham and Uppingham on three community sites located close to the town centres.
Our aim is to provide safe and secure homes to independent older people, who have a financial, social or housing need.
As well as providing residential accommodation, we also provide communal rooms for residents to use for activities, events, get togethers, communal gardens, guest rooms for families to visit and communal laundries. We have a beautiful historic 14th century chapel at our St Annes site.
We are regulated by the Charity Commission and the Social Housing Regulator as a registered social landlord . We are also members of the National Almshouse Association, a support charity representing over 1600 independent almshouse charities across the UK.
We hope you can find everything you need to know here and enjoy learning more about our housing Charity and how we aspire to give back to the older people in need and the communities of Oakham and Uppingham.
VISION
Every resident at SJSA thrives, feels safe and also supported by us as a charity and registered social landlord
MISSION
To be one of the best Almshouses Providers in the country. To enhance the quality of life of our residents by providing good quality, well maintained homes where they can lead independent lives in a caring community setting.
VALUES
Respect & dignity :
we believe everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity and this informs the way we work
Kindness & compassion:
we approach all situations with human kindness and a friendly, enthusiastic willingness to help.
Openness & transparency :
we are open, transparent and honest in our dealings with our residents, staff, families and governors
Accountability :
we take ownership for our actions with a willingness to change where that is the right thing to do.
Testimonials From Our Residents
Available Properties
Available Properties
About Us
To give the full name The Hospital of St John the Evangelist and of St Anne in Okeham is believed to be the oldest charity in the county of Rutland, having been established for the provision of almshouse accommodation in 1399.
Today it has over 100 properties available to accommodate beneficiaries who are:
- In receipt of a state retirement pension
- Of limited financial means
- Able to live independently
- Living in Rutland at the time of application, or have significant links to the county
A more detailed history of the Charity is available on this website, as is an application form should you wish to apply for accommodation.
The Charity is a member of The Almshouse Association, is registered with the Charity Commission (Registered Charity No 218931), and is a Registered Provider of
Social Housing.

Our Chapel Built In 1399
Apply Now
Do you receive state pension or other benefits for people not of state pension age?
Do you have a link with Rutland?
Are you in financial/social or housing need?
Our History
The St John and St Annes Housing Charity holds an impressive legacy, dating back with over 600 years of history, making it one of the oldest charities in Rutland.
1399

The story of the charity begins with its foundation by William Dalby in 1399, by virtue of a Licence granted by King Richard II. The original intention was that the hospital should have two chaplains, and should provide accommodation for twelve poor men.
1500’s

The property was confiscated during the Abolition of Chantries actions of the 16th Century, before being rescued by Archdeacon Robert Johnson, who bought back the land and then obtained a Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth I.
1540

Robert Johnson was a Church of England cleric and Archdeacon of Leicester. He was the Puritan rector of North Luffenham, Rutland, for 51 years, from 1574 until his death. He used the income from these roles to establish free grammar schools in Oakham and Uppingham and he redounded and endowed the old Hospital of St John the Evangelist and St Anne in Oakham.
1597

The Royal Charter extended the purpose of the charity to helping both men and women, with a single Hospital able to accommodate up to 20 individuals.
17-1800’s

The properties fell into disrepair, so that most buildings (with the exception of the original Chapel) disappeared when the Midland Railway was constructed in the 1840’s. From this point onwards the charity used its income to pay pensions to poor people who continued to live in their own homes.
1976

The payment of pensions ceased on the advice of the Charity Commission, and at the same time the Privy Council removed the restriction on the number of beneficiaries. The governors began developing what was then known as ‘sheltered housing’.
1976

Her Majesty the Queen granted the Charity a Supplemental Charter enlarging the Governing Body and permitting the Charity to provide extra-care accommodation. This Supplemental Charter hangs on the south wall of the Chapel.
1983

Her Majesty the late Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the then new almshouse development for older people at St John and St Annes Housing Charity at St Anne’s Close on 16th November 1984. They met with the residents, staff, and governors of the board and visited the historic chapel on the site. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited some of the homes and heard how residents were so happy to live in such lovely homes and within a caring community. Well wishers lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the royal visitors to Oakham.
1984

A development of 28 flats, along with a common room, was built on land adjacent to the original chapel. Her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the new development at St Anne’s Close on 16th November.
2011

The Hospital of St John and St Anne merged with the Archdeacon Johnson Almshouse Charity, bringing together the administration of 102 almshouse properties.
2014

On 29th July, The Prince of Wales, Patron, the Almshouse Association and the Duchess of Cornwall visited St Anne’s Close and the Chapel of St John.