🏠Accommodation Vacancy
18/03/24 – We’d like to inform you that there is currently an available accommodation space at John Abbotts Ladies Home. If you are interested or would like more information about this vacancy, please feel free to contact us using our contact form at the bottom of the page.
A LITTLE ABOUT US
Just a short distance from Halifax, West Yorkshire’s busy town centre sits an idyillic oasis steeped in history. John Abbotts Ladies Home, the complex of Grade II listed buildings set around landscaped gardens at Skircoat Green Road is part of the Almshouses Association. There are 14 properties in all and work will commence soon to increase that to 15.
There is a real sense of communitity at John Abbotts homes and residents settle in quickly and make friends. Living in a secluded oasis such as this one takes away some of the stresses of modern living and can also help with factors such as loneliness.
To be eligible to live at John Abbotts home, ladies must already be living in the former county Borough of Halifax or in an area of the ancient Parish of Halifax. There is no rent paid as such but a monthly contribution towards maintaining, repairing and operating the site is required. Ladies are responsible for the interior of their houses and a small area of garden around it.
A LITTLE ABOUT OUR HISTORY
It was a delightful paradox for his friends when the name of John Abbot, a severe Halifax bachelor known for his dislike of women, was perpetuated in a private trust establishing a home for “ladies by birth and education”. Abbott died well over a century ago and, despite the amusement invoked at the time John Abbott’s Trustees Ladies’ Home has been a real benefit to dozens of elderly women. The trust was financed from Abbott’s £60,000 estate. Mainly property in New Zealand and Australia. The home consists of two detached bungalows and ten semi-detached house lying in the tranquillity of neat shrubberies and lawns at Skircoat Green. The trust also pays annuities to a number of woman living in their own homes.
In January, 1877, the first occupants moved into 12 houses at Skircoat Green purchased with a porter’s ledge for £17,879. The homes were designed for women who had retained a modest source of income and most of them were able to afford a maid. The three principal qualifications of residence still apply. These are that a “lady” occupier must be a spinster or widow; she must be over 50; and she must be a lady by birth and education. For women in their own homes receiving support from the trust only first stipulation applies. The religion of the applicants is not considered and preference is given to women who were born or who are living in the parish of Halifax or who have spent five years there.
VACANCIES
From time to time we have a vacancy for a Trustee/Governor. Anyone who may be interested please contact us using the form below.