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Our History

Almshouse Charities have been in existence for over a thousand years. The Liversage Trust dates back to 1529, set up under the Will of Robert Liversage, a prominent Derby businessman of the time, for the relief of poverty.
The Trust has maintained Almshouses since the 17th century including some lovely historic buildings dating back to the 1800s, but most homes were built in the 1900s.

  • 10th centuryThe first recorded Almshouse in the UK was founded.

    It was founded by King Athelstan in York.

  • 1529 Robert Liversage founds Liversage Trust

    Robert Liversage, a prominent Derby businessman, founded Liversage Trust in his will for the relief of poverty in Derby.

  • 1722Liversage Trust resolved to build its first Almshouses

    12 Almshouses were to be built at the edge of St Peter's Churchyard in pursuance of Robert Liversage's will. They were later demolished and replaced by the London Road Almshouses.

  • 1836London Road Almshouses opened

    The London Road Almshouses remain today and are Grade 2 listed buildings.

  • 1880sOriginal Liversage Trust properties demolished

    Due to the widening of St Peter's Churchyard, the old Liversage Cottages were demolished.

  • 1896The Nottingham Road Estate was built

    To designs by Alexander Macpherson, one of Derby’s most important architects.

  • 1946The Almshouse Association was formed

    Liversage Trust is a member of the Almshouse Association which works to support Almshouse charities and their residents.

  • 1965Arthur Hind Close Estate was built

  • 1966Building began on our Franchise Street and Drewry Lane estate

  • 1989Liversage Court opened

    Liversage Court was built principally to cater for our residents who became less able to live independently. Our doors are now open to all!

  • 1993Nottingham Road area was proudly declared a conservation area

    By Derby City Council

  • 1996Our first female Chair was appointed

    Who is still heading the board today.

  • 2012Our first female manager was appointed

  • 2016The Liversage Arms was converted from a public house into apartments

  • 2017Clarke Street was purchased

    This site adjoins Nottingham Road and provides opportunity for further Almshouse new builds in the years ahead.

  • 2018Today

    Today, Liversage Trust maintains 160 Almshouses with over 220 residents, as well as continuing to provide residential care at Liversage Court, and support for those suffering hardships in Derby through grants and homes for rent.
    Almost 500 years since the formation of our charity, there are still people in Derby that struggle to afford the cost of living.
    And as long as the people of our city need help, the Liversage Trust will be here for them.

Who we are

From our founding, Liversage Trust has been managed by a board of Trustees. Today our board has 15 trustees, and together we work to help people in Derby struggling to afford the cost of living and continue to carry out the good work of our founder, Robert Liversage.

Our Trustees

Malcolm Allsop

Chair of the Board

Malcolm has been a Liversage Trustee since 2000. As Chair of the Board and Chair of Finance Committee, Malcolm helps to manage the finances. Outside of his commitments to the Trust, Malcolm is interested in history and is an avid collector of anything and everything and also enjoys playing golf.

Sue Glithero

Vice Chair of the Board

Sue joined as a Trustee in 2006, after a career in local government, culminating in being appointed Director of Policy at Derby City Council. She currently serves the Trust as Vice Chair of the Board, as well as advising on personnel matters.
In what other spare time she has, she enjoys walking and gardening.

John Brittain

Lead Trustee for Estates

John is a Derby lad, and developed his interest in housing through a career with Derby City Council. John has been with the Liversage Trust for over 25 years. He is currently the Lead Trustee of Estates. He is also a keen Derby County fan, and enjoys spending time with his wife and their 10 grandchildren.

Roy Webb

Lead Trustee of Care Home

Roy retired from Rolls Royce in 2015, after having worked there for more than 40 years. He has represented Allestree Ward in the City since 1985, as both county and city councillor, and is also a Board member of Derby Homes. He joined the Trust in 2004 and currently serves as Lead Trustee of Care Home Committee.

Les Allen

Trustee

Les was a Derby City Councillor representing Littleover Ward from 2002 to 2014, and served as Derby's Mayor in 2012-13.

Les stood down to devote more time to travelling and seeing his family. He also re-joined as a Liversage Trustee in 2013 and is currently the Vice Chair of Care Home Committee.

Richard Docker

Trustee

Richard moved to Derby in 1985 to develop his housing career and fell in love with the City and its surrounds. He joined the Trust in 2016, after retiring as Company Secretary with the Chartered Institute of Housing. He has a strong interest in housing and good governance, and is dedicated to his family.

Michael Foote

Trustee

Michael is a Lancastrian but spent most of his working life in Derby.
A solicitor, he also had responsibilities for adult social care and housing at Derby City Council.

Michael became a Liversage Trustee in 2012 and volunteers for a national charity, with football, swimming, hill walking and four grandchildren taking up much of the rest of his time.

Tim Benson

Trustee - Nominee

Tim has been a Liversage Trustee since 2010. Derby born Tim is a lay-reader at St Peter’s Church and an avid supporter of Derby County; his Grandfather was the team doctor in the 1946 cup final. Tim is also a family man and is surrounded by music as his wife teaches brass instruments and his daughters play the violin.

Shiraz Khan

Trustee - Nominee

Kashmir-born Shiraz came to Derby when he was six years old and has lived in the city ever since, raising five children and two grandchildren. He was first elected councillor for Arboretum in 2004 and was Mayor of Derby in 2014/15. He currently runs a sub-post office and newsagents just outside Derby, at Sawmills.

Don McLure

Lead Trustee of Finance

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If you are interested in any of our services and would like to get in touch, we would love to hear from you!