Living at Partis today
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Partis College offers almshouse accommodation for women who are over 50 with housing needs in self sufficient, affordable community housing, held in Trust.
Living in an almshouse community such as Partis is different from other social housing or private rental properties. A charge called a maintenance contribution, is paid towards the upkeep of the property, often our residents receive housing benefit to help with this. The maintenance charge is less than the average rent in local properties rented from a council, housing association or private landlord. Whilst there are many advantages of almshouse living, potential residents should also consider that Partis is not suitable for people who can’t live independently. Partis does not (and cannot) provide care for residents. Many of our properties have stairs and all are in older buildings without adaptations or features that make them accessible for all older people, such as no level access or lift. As almshouses are a crucial element in tackling the housing crisis there can be limited availability. All our residents are licensees, so have fewer housing rights than tenants. When someone lives in one of our houses they do so under a ‘licence to occupy’. The trustees maintain a commitment to harmonious living for the entire community. Through the spirit of our respect for all policy the trustees are entitled to invoke terminations of the licence should this be deemed appropriate and following the approved procedures.
Each of the houses at Partis are individual and have been sympathetically renovated over the years to be suitable for independent living. They all have upstairs bathrooms with walk in showers and the small garden and outside courtyard space is an added benefit. There is limited on site parking and well maintained grounds to enjoy. It’s not just the lovely houses, however that make living at Partis different, it’s the community of like minded, empowered women who live life to the fullest, in a safe and secure environment. Residents benefit from a range of services that take away the stresses of the day to day managing and upkeep of a property. Almshouse services and facilities provided:
High quality houses and some apartments
Shared spaces: a laundry, library, and lounge with communal kitchen
Professionally maintained grounds
A guest suite for visitors
Free WiFi in communal areas
Cleaning services (optional and chargeable)
A varied programme of on-site activities
Support and advice from our Resident Support Officer
On-site property maintenance team
24/7 emergency call system
Our accommodation
How we look after the environment
Partis College trustees acknowledge the connection between the climate and other environmental crises and the threat of current and future homelessness, disease, food and water shortages and poverty for millions of people around the world, as well as the major damage being caused to our natural eco-systems. In recognition of the collective responsibility to reduce the carbon and environmental footprints of the College. The trustees have formally committed to being an environmentally responsible charity.
Our environmental policy sets out our aims and the actions that we take to support these. The Chair of Trustees takes executive responsibility for taking forward and implementing this commitment, reporting annually on progress made and adjustments recommended to the policy and strategy. The policy extends to current and future suppliers and staff. Evidence of environmental policies and implementation of such policies are use as criteria for supplier selection. Partis College expects that all staff (contracted or directly employed) will help Partis College to carry out its aim of being an environmentally responsible organisation, in how they carry out their day-to-day duties.
In summary our commitment to the environment covers a range of practices and education on these topics for new residents and staff is included in our induction briefings. The areas of focus for the college are as follows:
Promotion of a sustainable transport policy for their staff, trustees, contractors and residents
Reduction of resources such as paper, energy and water
Reducing our carbon footprint by committing to using energy providers that generate 100% Renewable energy.
Promotion of the use of green energy providers with residents through the residents committee and support residents to seek favourable deals with green energy providers, as well as to optimise energy costs for residents
Consideration of solar panels when roof repairs are carried out
Pursue planning permission for double glazing when properties are refurbished, at a minimum windows will be draft proofed
Provision of water butts and education around limiting water use for the residents
Investigation of grey water recovery
Balancing resident’s car use and emissions, resident car owners benefit where mobility is limited and from greater independence. Parking is limited and a review was carried out in 2021. Electrical vehicle charging points are cost prohibitive. Therefore the trustees promote car sharing and the use of public transport, with information about routes and timetables provided
Consideration for secure bike storage for everyone
Encouragement to reduce waste, through recycling and mindful practices by all. Provision of education and green awareness for all
Education provided for all on sustainable diets. The college has built a communal allotment / vegetable garden, a water butt, compost and leave mould bins have been provided
Issue guidance discouraging the use of Astro turf in gardens
We use the most sustainable choices of refurbishment materials, the wood used is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), paint is water based and plaster is clay based.
Partis College in the community
Partis College is about two miles from the centre of Bath.
There is an hourly bus into town from the stop just outside the College. Within 5 or 10 minutes’ walk is Chelsea Road, where there are shops, a café,
take-away restaurants, and other facilities. Residents who do not wish to worship in the Chapel can easily walk to the nearby Emmanuel Church,
or to Weston Methodist Church. Doctors’ and dentists’ surgeries are also nearby, as is the Royal United Hospital, a well-equipped local hospital.
Bath and North East Somerset Council provides all local services – including housing benefit, for those residents who qualify. Re
Respect for all
It’s not just the lovely houses that make living at Partis different, it’s the community of like minded, empowered women who live life to the fullest, in a safe and secure environment.
Living together in a communal environment is very different from the often isolated lives our residents are sometimes used to. To support a community where living in harmony with neighbours and exhibiting good will all our residents are asked to sign a ‘Respect for all’ statement as we believe this to be integral to the daily life of Partis College. We ask that all of our residents that live at Partis College are mindful of this, and are guided by the following statement:
I understand that Trustees respect Partis House residents, staff and other workers and that they expect, and I undertake, that while I am a resident I will respect the Trustees, the staff and other workers, all the other residents and the neighbours of Partis College irrespective of their backgrounds and beliefs whether Christian (like our founder) or otherwise. I understand that the Trustees encourage a daily sense of dignity, tolerance and mutual respect among and between residents which I hereby undertake will determine my life here.
Occasionally, the trustees maybe required to investigate cases where the ‘Respect for All’ commitment is not being fulfilled. A full investigation will be conducted and where a resident’s behaviour is found to have been sufficiently disrespectful and harmful to others the licence to occupy may be revoked. There is a full complaints policy and procedure and this along with all other published policies can be obtained from the Office Manager on request.
Activities
What goes on at Partis College
There is weekly worship in the Chapel with Holy Communion every Sunday and a lay-led mid-week service. We celebrate Christmas, Easter, Harvest, and each year there is a Commemoration Day service to recognise the work done by Ann Partis and others since.
Until recently the College employed a part-time Chaplain. Going forward, we plan instead to employ a Residents’ Support Officer, to support residents to live in the spirit of the almshouses. The Residents’ Support Officer, will spend their time providing pastoral support to the residents – engaging with residents’ concerns and supporting respect for all.
Each year the residents elect four Representatives, who meet regularly with the Trustees to discuss and agree upon matters of common interest. All of the residents are also invited to engage with the Trustees at regular meetings, and there are also many opportunities for residents to meet the Trustees informally.
The residents live their own lives, and some of them have part-time jobs or voluntary activities outside the College. Within the College the Social Committee arranges activities of various kinds to suit the residents’ wishes. In recent times there have been coffee mornings, film evenings, the occasional trip to a popular destination, and lots of tea and cake.
Nearby, some of the residents go to the Bowls Club or to Weston Library. There are a range of activities that residents are encouraged to join if they wish. Residents are encouraged to support and participate in life at the college in various ways. There are Residents Representatives that help our residents have a unified voice.
Life at Partis can be as active or quiet as our residents wish. Many of the activities and groups are defined by the broad range of interests and life experience that our residents bring. Some residents are members of our Green Group and have been instrumental in implementing green initiatives to support our environmental agenda. There is also a Bicentenary planning group who are busy discussing ideas for ways to celebrate in 2025, these fantastic ideas include producing a book to celebrate the 200 years of Partis also planting trees and the creation of a memorial garden.
Personal Stories