RCH to continue our Tradition of Care.

We were forced to close our convalescence provision at the start of the pandemic in 2020 and we are unable to continue providing the care and support that we have for over 100 years. However, the trustees wish to continue serving the current and retired transport communities by becoming an Almshouse charity and a provider of social housing, with convalescence being provided for our remaining beneficiaries.

The trustees’ proposed changes to our charitable objects have been agreed with the Charity Commission and are subject to a one month public review period starting on 8th April 2025. The revised charitable objects will be available online on the Charity Commission’s website as detailed on the Notice on this page. The Notice will also be displayed in Waterside and Bridge House and on two public notice boards in Dawlish.

Once the changes to our objects have been approved we then propose a redevelopment of Bridge House to create 19 or 20 apartments for occupation by licensees of the Almshouse charity.

We hope that the redevelopment of Bridge House will start in mid 2025, with completion of the design works and the submission of a Planning Application this year. The programme will be set by the Town Planning and Housing Registration processes. We do not envisage any actual building works starting on site until 2026 and the apartments will not be available for occupation until late 2027 or early 2028.

Subject to final approval by the Charity Commission we will be issuing our plans so that you can see how we propose to move the RCH into the next phase of serving others.

Mr S. J. Brook
Chairman of the board of Trustees