Sheltered Housing and Assisted Living

In recent times, the Great Hospital has developed into a significant sheltered housing complex.  It has now become a sheltered housing and care village and is very highly regarded in the community. The well being of our residents is foremost in our minds and numerous activities and events are arranged on a regular basis. St Helens church continues to play a significant part in the lives of many of the residents and also serves as the parish church to the local area. The Chaplain to the Great Hospital lives on site and is an active member of our community.  The site boasts its own well stocked corner shop, a fully equipped laundry a restaurant and both green and short mat bowls facilities.  At the Great Hospital there is a strong belief that dignified support and care for older people is as relevant today as it was when the Great Hospital was founded.

Our sheltered housing accommodation includes Youngs Green, a modern development of 18 flats.  Suffield Court, a series of typical almshouses surrounding a well maintained and extensively used bowling green, and a number of prestigious flats in the medieval buildings of Masters House and Chaplains House.  Other flats are available in the very fine St Helens House built by Thomas Ivory in 1746 and converted in 1986.  Our accommodation is maintained to the very highest standards with all but the most specialist of work being done by our own in-house maintenance team.  Our on-site caretaker is available to assist residents on request.  All sheltered housing is equipped with an emergency  call alarm connected to our care team who are on site 24 hrs a day and never more than five minutes away.

Domiciliary care is available in all the sheltered accommodation for those who need it. The minimum contracted period is for ½ hr and you can choose, in discussion with our care manager, how much care you would like to receive.  The care is provided by our own in-house care team and details can be found on this website.  Charges are available on request.

The Great Hospital continues to seek to improve accommodation and facilities on the site and has just contracted for a new 18 apartment development to be built together with a new community hall which will be located adjacent to and with views into the medieval cloisters.

For residents and visiting relatives, parking is available on site and although we do not allow relatives to stay in our sheltered accommodation, we have two guest flats which can be hired for a modest sum.

A subsidised restaurant is available to all residents and their guests on weekdays with a variety of dishes provided by our in-house catering staff.  A Sunday lunch carvery is available for residents and guests on the first and third Sundays in the month.

Assisted Living

For those in need of a little more help, Prior Court provides independent flats within an assisted living block with carers immediately on hand.  Our aim is to assist you to live as independently as possible but always being available should you need our help. Additional flats are being added to Prior Court as part of our current building programme.

Prior Court has a dining room, lounge and library.  Communion services are held in the lounge weekly for those who wish to attend.

Entertainment and Residents Events

A variety of entertainment is held on site on a weekly basis ranging from outside artists to residents run clubs and other activities.  One on one activities for the less able are provided by our care staff.

The summer tea is a highlight of the year which normally involves a trip to a local attraction or a boat trip on the river or Broads followed by a delicious afternoon tea back at the Great Hospital.

The annual founders day service (known as the Spital Service) is held in the Church of St Helen on the first Wednesday in May.  A prestigious day in the yearly diary which residents are encouraged but by no means obliged to attend.  The Choir of Norwich School support us at this service and again, the day concludes with afternoon tea in one of our historic halls.

Christmases are very special at the Great Hospital and festivities normally commence with a Christmas Fayre held in our historic halls.  The Great Hospital Carol service is held in mid December with a grand residents' lunch. Decorations, christmas trees and traditional fayre with presents and entertainment all held in the Historic Halls and normally attended by the Lord Mayor  of Norwich.  For those residents who chose to stay at the Great Hospital over the Christmas period a restaurant service is provided with tea boxes provided for all those on site on New Years Eve.