Sturge Flats Charitable Trust
Charity 219780
Overview
Summary
Sturge Flats Charitable Trust appears to be a small, place-based housing charity whose role is defined less by broad service provision than by stewardship of affordable accommodation for older people in Selly Oak. Its objects suggest a deliberately flexible model: housing may be offered at nominal rents to people in need, while economic-rent lettings can generate surplus for related charitable housing purposes. A historic connection to the Society of Friends is embedded in its allocation preferences.
Operational geography
Coverage: Neighbourhood
Operational areas:
Evidence and reasoning
Supporting evidence
Remaining uncertainties
- The Charity Commission’s current activity description places rented housing in Selly Oak, Birmingham, but does not identify the flats’ address or individual site.
- The supplied evidence does not justify assigning the charity to a specific ward.
- Britain Yearly Meeting trustee minutes from June 2025 refer to a similarly named 'Sturge Family Flats Charitable Trust' intending to wind up and transfer funds. This may relate to this charity, but the available evidence does not confirm that it is the same legal entity or whether any wind-up has since completed.
- The supplied evidence does not identify additional Birmingham sites, service locations, or partnerships that materially extend the trust’s operational footprint.
Additional evidence needed
- The trust’s latest annual report, accounts, or trustee report confirming whether it still owns or lets housing in Birmingham.
- Land Registry, Charity Commission, or trustee evidence linking the trust to housing in Birmingham.
- Confirmation from the trustees or Charity Commission of the relationship, if any, between Sturge Flats Charitable Trust (charity number 219780) and the 'Sturge Family Flats Charitable Trust' named in Britain Yearly Meeting records.
Areas of work
- Accommodation/housing
Who they help
- Elderly/old People
How they help
- Provides Buildings/facilities/open Space
Discoveries involving this organisation
The Atlas has not published any Discoveries involving this organisation yet.
Observations
Housing asset as both service and resource
The trust appears to use its flats not only to provide housing directly, but potentially to create income for charitable purposes connected to older people's housing needs.
Why it matters
This suggests an operating model that may balance affordability with financial sustainability, rather than relying solely on donations or grants.
Show evidence
“Flats may be let at an economic rent, with any surplus income applied for charitable purposes having special regard to the housing needs of the aged.”
Source:Charity Commission“Providing rented housing in Selly Oak, Birmingham.”
Source:Organisation
A targeted response to later-life housing insecurity
The trust appears designed for older people whose needs are not adequately met by existing accommodation, including people affected by low income or infirmity.
Why it matters
This positions the organisation within a specific gap in housing provision: suitable, affordable homes for older residents rather than housing support for the general population.
Show evidence
“To let the property to persons especially elderly persons, of poor means or infirmity who are inadequately accommodated.”
Source:Charity Commission“Elderly/old People.”
Source:Organisation
Faith-linked preference within a wider charitable purpose
The preference for members of the Society of Friends may indicate that the trust has Quaker roots or relationships, while its housing purpose remains open to a broader group of people in need.
Why it matters
This may shape referral networks, community connections and how the organisation understands its distinctive identity, without necessarily limiting its wider civic role.
Show evidence
“Preference for members of Society of Friends.”
Source:Charity Commission“To let the property to persons especially elderly persons, of poor means or infirmity who are inadequately accommodated.”
Source:Charity Commission
- The number, type, condition and accessibility of the flats are unknown.
- It is unclear how residents are referred, selected or supported beyond tenancy provision.
- There is no evidence about current use of nominal versus economic rents.
Remaining uncertainties
- Information on properties, rent-setting, occupancy and resident eligibility.
- Annual reports or trustee information describing finances, partnerships and current priorities.
Additional evidence needed
Charity Commission profile
Activities
Providing rented housing in Selly Oak, Birmingham
Charity objects
TO LET THE PROPERTY AT NOMINAL RENTS, OR AS THE TRUSTEE THINK PROPER, TO PERSON ESPECIALLY ELDERLY PERSONS, OF POOR MEANS OR INFIRMITY WHO ARE INADEQUATELY ACCOMMODATED. PREFERENCE FOR MEMBERS OF SOCIETY OF FRIENDS. (FLATS MAY BE LET AT AN ECONOMIC RENT IN WHICH CASE ANY SURPLUS INCOME IS TO BE APPLIED FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES HAVING SPECIAL REGARD TO THE HOUSING NEEDS OF THE AGED)