The French Hospital Almshouses

· SUPPORTING PEOPLE IN NEED SINCE 1718 ·

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Heritage Open Day

Due to Covid-19 restrictions and to protect The French Hospital community, we are not open for visitors this year. The theme is ‘Hidden Nature’ and the gardening club here at The French Hospital have been working hard to keep the gardens looking wonderful and in keeping with Huguenot traditions.

The Huguenot Museum in Rochester High Street is open and you can book a visit, where you can see a number of artefacts and learn about Huguenot history: www.huguenotmuseum.org

Events Cancellation

We are sorry to say that the Anniversary celebration on the 31st May 2020 and the Fashion Show on the 9th July 2020 are cancelled.

Covid-19 (Coronavirus)

a note from the Clerk

Dear Supporter,

Working with our Residents to create opportunities for them to come together as a community, has always been a high priority for all of us at The French Hospital; and at this particularly difficult time, as we seek to support them in the face of a very real (Coronavirus) threat, we are seeing the benefits of this approach, even though collective activities are currently not possible and planned events have had to be postponed.

We – the Residents, Staff and Trustees - are working hard to support each other at this challenging time. We have put in place measures to keep us all safe, and all are strongly encouraging each other to follow Government guidelines for protecting against the Coronavirus. Whilst taking every sensible precaution, we continue with 24-hour operations and we are actively engaged with others who are offering support. We have been hugely touched by the show of support that we have seen for our Residents from many others, including the Council and council members, volunteers, family members and the local community more generally. As a charity and as individuals, we derive a great deal of strength and comfort from your support – particularly at this time – and we thank you, from our hearts, for it.

Extracts from a recent note from our Deputy Governor to our Residents
The French Hospital was founded more than 300 years ago for “Poor French Protestants and their Descendants”. Its first Directors / beneficiaries had all been refugees; as such, they had had to face circumstances somewhat similar to those that we face today. But they were members of a close-knit community, and through mutual support, as well as the support of others, they not only survived but thrived. There have been dark days and there may yet be some to come, but they will not last and The French Hospital and the La Providence community of today will survive and thrive in the years to come.

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