From Bridge to Nowhere: "The Female Friendly Society {sic} was started in 1802, by and for women, operating “by love, kindness, and absence of humbug”. It gave small grants to “poor, aged women of good character”. In 1821, the charity built its first ‘asylum’ here. The almshouses offered modest bedsits to 20 residents, many in their 90s, affectionately dubbed “the old objects”. Expanded by the 1840s to the 3 buildings here now, the almshouses were damaged in WW2 and fell into disrepair. Thankfully they were saved from demolition during the creation of the park, and later renovated as ‘Chumleigh Gardens’ in 1981. The original charity has moved out, but its work continues to this day at its almshouses in Brixton. You can listen here to a 2002 Woman’s hour item about the Female Friendly Society {sic}."
The current Friendly Almshouses are in the most southerly part of Stockwell Park Road, two pairs of charming double-fronted two-storied houses, opposite Buckmaster Close.
Their website gives more information.
