Our Past and Our Present

The present United Charities of St. Leonard Shoreditch is an amalgamation of over fifty independent charities, which date from the 16th century up until the 21st century and strove to improve the conditions of the people of Shoreditch. The various charities worked in the fields of education and health, however, the majority worked to provide housing for the needy of Shoreditch. This has meant that the Trustees have provided Almshouses for around four hundred years.

The original charities had Almshouses at several sites in Shoreditch. These included Kingsland Road to the south of Geffrye Museum, Hackney Road and Old Street close to Shoreditch Church. The Old Street Magistrates Court and Shoreditch Town Hall are both built on sites where Almshouses originally stood. on  Our emblem More Light, More Power features on Shoreditch Town Hall building.

The various sites were sold and amalgamated into the current Almshouses which are located at Wood Green in London Borough of Haringey.

"The history of United Charities of St. Leonard (an amalgamation of over fifty separate charities) dates back to the sixteenth century.

Founder members’ circumstances were wide and varied and there may have been links to the eighteenth and nineteenth century slave trade which was an unacceptable part of British history.

For six centuries the charity has striven to improve the lives of people in Shoreditch. Work has been carried out in the fields of health and education, but above all providing safe, comfortable homes for those in need.

Under its constitution the charity, continues to provide almshouse accommodation in Wood Green and is committed to continuing to do so over decades to come"

The Move to Wood Green

At the turn of the 20th century the charities decided the sell the land at Old Street and build Almshouses at a new site. The new Almshouses date from 1904 and consist of St. Leonards House, Porters and Walter House and Fullers Cottages. In the 1960s the Almshouses were extended with the addition of Lloyd Thames Court.

The buildings are set in open communal grounds between Nightingale and Truro Road and provide a tranquil haven in the inner city.  Whilst the trustees do not provide sheltered housing we do have a clerk to the trustees who supports tenants and helps to provide a friendly and caring environment. There is a friendly atmosphere with some sense of community and the accommodation is enjoyed by our residents.



The present complex of buildings along with the elaborate gates and railings commemorative stone and historic plaques are some of the few architectural notes in N22 and make a significant contribution to the urban landscapes.  the railings and gates have an immediate impact on Nightingale Road whilst the main buildings are set back in extensive gardens.