Celebrating 80 Years of the Hill Homes Story

History Ink was asked by Hill Homes, a UK housing association, to help them celebrate their 80th anniversary – a historic milestone which coincided with the 80th anniversary of World War Two’s D-Day (6 June 1944) – and uncover more of their fascinating history.

Margaret Hill pictured in her youth. Photograph copyright of Hill Homes.

Hill Homes was founded by Margaret Hill, CBE to give older people the care, support and accommodation they need to live their lives to the full. Margaret was born into a family of notable academics - which included her brother John Maynard Keynes, one of the most influential economists of modern times - but it was Margaret herself who left the legacy that is Hill Homes.

Commissioned by Hill Homes CEO Catherine Woods, one of the ongoing aims of the Anniversary Project is to preserve and organise the incredible historical archives of Hill Homes. These include the first Chairman Reports, rare black and white photographs of matrons and residents at former Hill Home properties in Highgate, and newspaper clippings which shine a light on the lives of early residents from the early 1940s onwards.

Helen Swinnerton, History Ink Director, worked closely with Hill Homes’ Marie Audemard and Phil Wilson in the archives. Together, they uncovered treasures which tell the stories of residents, matrons as well as Margaret herself. During her work with Hill Homes, Helen delivered archives training to staff, created a catalogue, and designed bespoke policies that will guide the collection into the future. She said:

‘I’ve loved experiencing the story of Hill Homes through the original archives. Seeing the founding minutes, signed by Margaret Hill, as she creates Hill Homes – a pioneering organisation for its time. The story continues through papers, photographs and articles capturing key moments. It is an important and inspiring story and one that has thankfully been preserved’.

Meanwhile, History Ink Director Amelia Allsop has been working with these newly unearthed materials to write an updated account of the Hill Homes story – a history that was last recorded over thirty years ago by Nuffield Lodge resident Jules Kosky in his book ‘Top of the Hill’ (1994). Amelia has also been making use of the extensive oral histories recorded by Phil, who has interviewed a number of people intimately connected to the Hill Homes story.

We have loved working with the passionate and welcoming team at Hill Homes. To find out more about the Hill Homes story, please visit their website.