Vincent's Charity

About us

Our Mission

Vincent Charity is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing truly affordable housing for elderly individuals with a connection to St. Albans. Our mission is to support the dignity, independence, and well-being of our beneficiaries by offering secure and comfortable housing to those in need.

We provide accommodation to individuals aged forty-five and above who either reside in St. Albans or have family or other ties to the city. Our beneficiaries pay no rent, instead contributing a small amount towards their living costs, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a safe and dignified home in their later years.

Vincent Charity is dedicated to providing affordable housing to elderly individuals connected to St. Albans. We believe in supporting the dignity, independence, and well-being of our beneficiaries.

Our Values

Compassion

We care deeply about the well-being and dignity of our beneficiaries, treating them with the respect and kindness they deserve.

Integrity

We operate with honesty, transparency, and accountability in all our activities and decisions.

Collaboration

We work together with our beneficiaries, staff, donors, and partners to achieve our common goals.

our history

Preserving Dignity and Providing Shelter Since the 1930s

Vincent’s Charity was founded by George Malcolm Vincent, a visionary philanthropist dedicated to supporting those in need. In the 1930s, George, a wealthy man with a deep sense of compassion, began acquiring properties in St. Albans. His mission was clear: to provide housing and financial assistance to “needy spinster ladies of the age of 45 years or upwards, being residents of St. Albans or having family or other associations therewith.”

George’s motivation was profoundly personal. His sister, an unmarried older woman, faced the harsh realities of the time. During the 1930s, women had few opportunities to work, and those who remained unmarried often lived in poverty during their retirement years. The barriers were significant: women could not own property with a mortgage without a male guarantor, leaving them with few housing options if they lacked substantial means. George was determined to ensure that women like his sister would not end up homeless or destitute in their later years.

When George Vincent’s wife passed away in the 1970s, the properties he owned were placed into a charitable trust, formalising his legacy as Vincent’s Charity.

Evolving to Meet Changing Needs

Vincent’s Charity has always been committed to its original mission: providing housing for the elderly in St. Albans who would otherwise be homeless. However, much has changed since George first established the charity. The creation of the welfare state, increased employment opportunities for women, and equal treatment by the banking system have all reshaped society. These changes have allowed Vincent’s Charity to expand its focus beyond its original mission. Today, we are proud to provide housing to individuals of any gender who find themselves at risk of homelessness in later life.

Continuing George’s Legacy

Though the world has changed since the 1930s, the need for safe, affordable housing remains as critical as ever. Vincent’s Charity continues to honor George Malcolm Vincent’s legacy by ensuring that the elderly in St. Albans can live with dignity, independence, and security.

Support the Mission

Help us continue the work that George Malcolm Vincent started. Your support ensures that the elderly in St. Albans have a safe place to call home.