About Upkeep

Upkeep is a charity that teaches people how to look after buildings.

Aims:

Upkeep promotes good practice in the maintenance, refurbishment and improvement of all types of buildings.

We believe the good upkeep of existing buildings is a vital part of the wider task of improving the sustainability of the built environment as a whole.

History

Upkeep was established in 1979 as "The Building Conservation Trust". The Trust was set up with the help of some 40 organisations with the aim of encouraging good practice in the care of buildings. 

Thanks to support from the Duke of Gloucester, the Trust was granted a Grace and Favour Apartment at Hampton Court Palace. The apartment was derelict, and it took four years to renovate the building and then design and build the Care of Buildings Exhibition, a permanent public exhibition about buildings and how to look after them.

Activities:

Upkeep is an educational charity; our mission is to educate people of all ages about looking after buildings.

We deliver a short courses and events about buildings and how to maintain and improve them. All our fees go back into delivering training and maintaining the Upkeep Exhibition.

Upkeep has published a variety of resource packs about buildings for teachers and students.

Upkeep set up and co-ordinates the Charities Facilities Management Group, the national network for people who look after property and facilities in the voluntary sector.

An Independent Voice:

Upkeep is an independent body. We can offer impartial information about good practice.

Status:

Upkeep is an educational charity (Registered Charity Number 277351) and a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered in England (No. 1409696).

We are governed by a Board of Trustees and a Governing Council.

Finances:

Like many charities, Upkeep has to charge fees for its services to make ends meet. We welcome the support of like-minded organisations to help us continue to promote our important messages about good practice in the care of buildings.