Charity registration completes the new Abbeyfield governance structure.

In 2017, Abbeyfield started a global consultation process to develop a new structure for the worldwide family of Abbeyfield societies.

The final building block is now in place: the Abbeyfield World Council (AWC) has been officially registered as a charity in England and Wales.

The Abbeyfield World Council brings together the twelve countries where Abbeyfield charities currently operate. A new house will open in Malawi in 2025, increasing Abbeyfield’s global presence.

The board of trustees is drawn from national societies, with an independent chair.

The purpose of the Abbeyfield World Council is to encourage the growth and development of the Abbeyfield model to meet the needs of communities worldwide.