St John’s Foundation – Changing Lives for 850 Years
In 2024, St John’s Foundation marked an incredible milestone, celebrating 850 years since its founding. As one of the UK’s oldest charities, St John’s has steadfastly served Bath and its surrounding communities. Throughout the centuries, its mission to support the local community has remained resolute, with an unwavering commitment to change the lives of under-served people in our community, for good.
St John’s Foundation was first founded in 1174 by Bishop Reginald Fitzjocelyn after he was appointed the fourth Bishop of Bath. After witnessing the poverty faced by many in the area, he established a refuge to provide food and shelter for the vulnerable in his parish.
Astonishingly, St John’s still operates from the same location that Bishop Fitzjocelyn chose eight and a half centuries ago, and whilst their duty to provide shelter to under-served people has continued, the overall aim of the charity has evolved to focus on supporting children, older adults and those experiencing crisis in their lives.
In February 2020, St John’s Foundation launched its ‘Best Start in Life’ strategy (formerly known as the Foundation Fund). The specific aim of their funding for this area of work is to improve the outcomes for under-served children and narrow the educational attainment gap for Key Stage 2 children living in Bath and North East Somerset through a range of initiatives. This crucial work provides support in reading, writing and maths, focuses on the behavioural and emotional needs of children and provides access to nutritious food and safe spaces to help ensure the best foundation for learning.
Alongside this, they also continue their long-standing work of helping older adults age well through the provision of alms housing, activities and outreach services. With older adults now outnumbering younger people in our region, it’s more important than ever that we work together to foster an age-friendly community that promotes independent living for longer.
In recognition of its 850th milestone, the charity celebrated in February with a service of celebration in Bath Abbey that was attended by its patron, Her Majesty Queen Camilla. It also created a one-of-a-kind storybook crafted by over 190 children in seven local primary schools, with profits from the sales going towards buying books for the schools. St John’s were also selected as SouthGate Bath’s charity partner this year and have worked with them to create an installation at the heart of the shopping centre that encourages shoppers to snap a photo and donate to the charity.
House of St John’s – The Heart of Bath
St John’s Foundation has been supported by many generous donors over the years, helping them to facilitate their work within our community. Some of the gifts received have granted opportunities for many years after they were given, with one such gift being the property No. 1 Queen Square.
Now home to the House of St John’s, this remarkable property was bequeathed to St John’s in 1953 by descendants of the legendary Dick Whittington. Categorised as a Grade 1 listed property and located above the historic tunnels of Bath, the House seamlessly combines historical elements with modern functionality. Original features like fireplaces and ceiling coves are still present in the co-working areas, giving a subtle nod to the building’s past. Large sash windows ensure the spaces are bright and airy and parquet flooring adds a touch of elegance throughout. Additional features such as the back stairwell, once used by servants, and the basement, where the old oven was located, also offer glimpses into the building’s history, bringing character and life to this unique workspace.
As of 2022, after undergoing a full sympathetic renovation, the House was transformed into a luxury co-working space. St John’s established the House with the vision of creating a social enterprise that contributes to changing lives, for good, whilst providing a much needed service to the people of Bath and beyond. All profits from memberships, meeting room bookings, and events are gifted to St John’s Foundation, supporting its Best Start in Life initiative and in turn, furthering the charity’s mission.
House of St John’s – Our Offer to Businesses
Members of House of St John’s enjoy a host of benefits, from being part of a collaborative community of individuals to having the freedom to choose the perfect workspace each day. The House offers a variety of options to match your work preferences, all within a refined and sophisticated environment that connects you to a thriving network of business professionals.
The House offers members 24/7 access from Monday to Friday, providing a wide range of spaces that cater to diverse needs. Members can take advantage of amenities such as the members’ snack bar, an outdoor terrace, and free unlimited tea and coffee. We also offer free entry to House social events, as well as access to bookable meeting rooms and a range of exclusive member benefits, including discounts from local Bath suppliers, luxury showers and toiletries, bike storage, and high-speed internet.
The co-working spaces at House of St John’s strike the perfect balance between productivity and comfort, featuring stunning views of Queen Square. Whether members require a hot desk for flexibility, a dedicated desk for a more permanent setup, or a private office for their team, each space is thoughtfully designed to promote focus, collaboration, and success whilst inspiring familiarity and connections across industries.
For those needing to meet clients or host guests, the House offers bespoke meeting rooms that provide the perfect setting regardless of your requirements. These rooms, which are available for daily or hourly bookings, are filled with natural light and include unlimited refreshments with all-inclusive fees. A dedicated House team is also on hand to support any needs you may have, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.
The House of St John’s also features elegant event spaces suitable for any occasion, including weddings, birthdays, or corporate events. The large, bright room, with its elegant parquet floor and triple aspect windows, can be customised to meet specific needs. With a revolving gallery and high-end features, the space radiates informal luxury, making it the perfect venue for special occasions.
At the heart of the House is community and growth. Their unique spaces foster collaboration, creativity, and personal development, with every feature, from open co-working layouts, curated networking events designed to inspire individuals and teams to learn, grow and connect.
Find out more about our offering or book a tour today here.