Community Living
We provide a home for people wishing to live independently in a community environment, and support through our professional Domiciliary Care team.
The Charterhouse is a historic almshouse and a housing charity in London’s Clerkenwell. We provide a home for people who meet our eligibility criteria wishing to live independently while also being part of, and contributing to, our close-knit community. Residents live in their own private flats, but what makes us distinctive isn’t just our historic site but our community and provision of support to maintain independent living.
Residents can get involved in different ways in our community depending on their interests. Options include leading history tours for visitors, volunteering at public events such as the Summer Open Garden Evenings and Christmas Fair, in the gardens, or at Chapel services. We have even a resident organist in the Chapel!
There are also resident-led initiatives including producing a Charterhouse Magazine, the Christmas play, our first LGBT+ History Month programme and the Community Space, which takes place every Friday to develop meaningful connections in our local community.
Our residents have a wide variety of interests, skills and experiences and find many different ways to enjoy community life here.
There are activities to take part in as well including book club, keep fit sessions and cultural visits. Of course, residents can also enjoy reading quietly in the Queen Elizabeth II lounge, or relaxing in the tranquillity of our beautiful gardens if they prefer.
You might like to read Sue Payn’s story about how she came to live here, and what she loves about the Charterhouse.
For a short introduction to life here, please watch our video below (with thanks to Charlie Scrimgeour).
Our Health & Wellbeing Team
We have an experienced team led by Carley Roberts, Director of Health & Wellbeing with Louise Preston, Community Services Manager and Sophia Osei, Housing and Welfare Officer.
Louise leads an experienced Domiciliary Care team who provide holistic support for our residents and empower them to live independently for as long as possible. She is a Registered Manager experienced in care and support, with an excellent record of good and outstanding service provision. Sophia works closely with Louise to support our residents and has expertise in navigating the Welfare System.
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
We are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as a provider of domiciliary care, enabling residents to prolong their independent life. We have a CQC rating of “Good” across all areas of our domiciliary care provision (August 2019).
“There were a range of activities offered by the provider at other premises on the same site where people lived, which people could freely choose to attend if they wished.”
“People were fully consulted about their care and support needs. Decisions people made were respected and the approach that was used was collaborative and by agreement.”
“Staff spoke about the people they supported in a compassionate and caring way, acknowledging that people’s right to choose was important and that people could choose the support they needed and when they wished to.”
Learn more information about our CQC rating or read the report.
Gallery photos by Ethical Creatives
Accommodation
We offer accommodation for over 40 residents, either in the main Tudor mansion or the modern Admiral Ashmore building depending on availability.
We also have a small number of rooms in our Registered Care Home, which are available for residents requiring respite or longer-term support but this doesn’t include nursing care.
Am I eligible to apply to live at the Charterhouse?
• I am single
• I am older than 60
• I am in financial, housing and social need
• I have no significant debts (credit cards, loans or other)
• I am able to live independently
• I am keen to contribute to a community
• I have the right to live in the UK
Please note that unfortunately we are not able to accept pets.
Find Out More
We recommend getting in touch with us as a first step to find out more about living at the Charterhouse and availability, as well as to help you decide whether it might be suitable for you.
Please complete our form and indicate how you would like us to get in touch with you:
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How to apply
If you have already been in contact with us and would like to apply, please download and complete the First Stage Application Form
You may wish to complete and email it to sophia.osei@thecharterhouse.org or print out, complete and return to us by post:
Sophia Osei, Housing and Welfare Officer
The Charterhouse
Charterhouse Square
London EC1M 6AN
If you have any questions or need help completing the form, please email Sophia Osei or call on 020 3817 4172.
Next Steps
Once we have received your First Stage Application Form, we will review it and then contact you to explain what happens next as well as perhaps ask some further questions.
The Charterhouse has very limited accommodation availability, and unfortunately is not in the position to admit everyone who applies. We will let you know whether we are able to take your application forward to the next stage, or whether we are regrettably unable to take your application further.
Like many almshouses, the policy of the Charterhouse is not to enter into discussion or to provide reasons for either refusing or offering places.
Residential Care at The Charterhouse
At the geographical heart of the site, bounded on each side by quiet gardens, is our Registered Care Home in the Queen Elizabeth II building. Fin
Find out about Residential CareAn Almshouse since 1611
Find out about the fascinating history of the Almshouse, and explore the rest of The Charterhouse
Discover the history of the Almshouse