Our History
Seeds of hope were sown amid the ashes of World War II. Exciting new social initiatives emerged – including MMHS.
About Us
Our residents have cared for others. Now we care for them in their well-earned retirement.
'It feels like a dream. But it’s real. I’ve never lived anywhere as nice as this.'
Our residents have cared for others. Now we care for them in their well-earned retirement. And we’ve been delivering that service since 1948.
MMHS provides housing for retiring Methodist presbyters and deacons. We also provide housing for their widowed partners and for ministers retiring on health grounds.
Based in London, MMHS is run by a professionally qualified, talented and hard-working team led by the Chief Executive, who reports to the Board. MMHS is a registered charity nos. 1186758 (England and Wales) and SC050661 (Scotland) and a company limited by guarantee no. 11929754.
We’re ready to serve those who make their home with us.
Find out more.
Our Vision
‘We had no money put away,’ a resident told us. ‘We’d never owned our own house. I was completely at the mercy of MMHS. They were very, very kind.’
That’s all down to our vision, which reflects that of the early church in Acts 4:34 – ‘There was not a single person in need among them’.
This vision inspires us to meet the housing needs of retired Methodist ministers of limited means, and their spouses, and their widows and widowers.
We also offer support for their wellbeing in the key areas of mobility and independence.
Our concern is to show high standards of care and professionalism. We are proud of our Christian distinctiveness, which underpins who we are and what we do.
As our resident said, ‘I couldn’t have done it without them’.
MMHS was formed at the same time as other major transformative movements like the first comprehensive schools, the London Co-operative Society and the National Health Service.
In 1948, food was rationed, there was an economic crisis, a fuel shortage – and hunger for housing. MMHS came about to care for those who cared for others – and give retiring ministers a home of their own.
Our work started with a gift – The Manor House, Derbyshire, was donated to MMHS. More properties were added. Now we have approaching 1,000 houses and flats, from the Channel Islands to the north of Scotland.
The team has grown, too. For instance, in 1999, six staff huddled round one PC and a laptop. Now we have a 16-strong team – equipped with the latest technology to deliver a caring and professional service to hundreds of residents.
We continue to sow those same seeds of hope. One of our residents, Mannie, grew up in South Africa’s cruel apartheid regime. Now he and wife Lynn enjoy the peace of an MMHS property. They cherish it as their family home.
‘It is very good to be free in your house,’ said Mannie. ‘We still look at each other and say, “Isn’t this lovely”.’
Our Core Staff Team
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Mairi Johnstone
Chief Executive
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Rachel Dawson
Director of Strategy and Planning
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Richard Miller
Director of Finance, Investments and ICT
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Patricia Berry
Property Officer
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Jamila Afkari-Edlou
Finance Co-ordinator and Analyst
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Clive Price
Communications Manager
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John Bailey
Property Manager
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Jacqueline Myers
Property Officer
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Alwyn Jones
Governance Manager
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Gavi Subra
Systems Administrator
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Paul Souchon
Office Operations Assistant
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Marius White
Commercial Manager
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Daniel Brookes
Commercial Officer
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Ciara Murphy
HR and L&D Manager
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Scott O'Donnell
Paralegal and Quality Assurance Officer
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Verity Twombley
Housing and Wellbeing Officer
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Sarah Daly
Head of Property and People Services
Our Trustees
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Revd Alan Taylor
Chair
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Ms Kate Andrews
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Mr Chris Appleton
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Mr Alex Campbell OBE
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Revd Dr Marion Cole
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Ms Sharon Green
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Ms Abi Labbett
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Revd Paul Martin
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Mr Richard Myers