Dorothea Court

Rooted in the Christian faith, life at Dorothea Court supports our residents to live fulfilled lives in their later years. We provide excellent, personalised support which supports our residents to flourish in older age. We offer retirement living and assisted living for older Christians across five converted Victorian houses.

Dorothea Court is an independent and sheltered living housing scheme in Bedford. The scheme provides homes within a community for Christians over 60’s living independently or with Assisted Living for those over 65.

With 26 apartments, Dorothea Court offers individually designed and converted apartments in our adapted Victorian houses to let by license.  Some of our independent living apartments have 2 bedrooms.  For those who are still independent but need a little assistance with living there are a variety of flats where assisted living is part of the package and provides weekly laundry and cleaning service.  Other Wellbeing packages are available, such as having 1 main meal per day and any extra cleaning or ironing services.


Dorothea Court is a community of evangelical Christians from a range of church traditions worshipping together, fellowshipping together and sharing refreshments together.  We also enjoy a variety of social activities including special celebrations, eating, exercising, crafting and singing together.


Individually designed apartments
You are able to carpet, curtain, furnish and decorate your flat as you wish and turn it into your very personal living space, your home.


All our apartments at Dorothea Court include:
- Gas central heating with personal thermostat control
- Shower room/bathroom or wet room
- Bedroom which in some apartments is large enough for a double bed
- A lounge with electricity sockets and a tv point
- Independent living apartments have a kitchen with storage cupboards and space for your cooker, fridge/freezer and where possible a washing machine.
- In the sheltered (assisted) living apartments a kitchenette provides simple facilities with space for a fridge/freezer and worktop appliances. 

All the apartment are set around our communal gardens with shelters and a summer house where occupants can walk, sit or take part in as much or as little gardening as they would like to do.


Out and about in the local area
Dorothea Court is in a lovely tree lined avenue and sits right opposite Bedford Park which gives 64 acres of wooded walks, lakes, grass play areas, children’s play parks, tennis courts and a tea room.


The River Ouse runs through Bedford and provides a lovely walk with beautiful flower gardens and seating where you can watch the various river birds.  There are also the pleasure boats and the more energetic rowers from the nearby marina to see. There are many wonderful coffee shops to spend those quiet moments and plenty of activities and sights to see. Such as the John Bunyan Museum. John Bunyan (born November 1628, Elstow, Bedfordshire, England—died August 31, 1688, London) was a celebrated English minister and preacher, author of The Pilgrim's Progress (1678).

Bedford town centre is nearby and within walking distance for some but there are bus stops outside our main reception door with a regular service that takes only a few minutes to and from the bus station for the less mobile.  Some buses go past the railway station but there are several taxi companies who provide an excellent service.  There are regular trains going to and from London with some fast services which only take an hour.

The closest doctors’ surgery is in Pemberley Avenue, only a walk away and there are several chemists that operate a delivery service. There is also a local grocery store and post office, post box just 100m away as well as a restaurant.   Bedford is well served with libraries who also provide a delivery/collection service.

There is a wide choice of local churches and many of the local pastors and church leaders support Dorothea Court with pastoral visits and taking our weekly devotions, and Sunday service.  Our Pastoral Coordinator leads a weekly Bible study.  Some of the local churches offer activities for retired people during the week such as fellowship meals and outings which many of our residents take advantage of.



A little extra support

For those with extra needs there are care agencies locally who serve the occupants here at Dorothea Court with as many visits per day as are needed.  If the need is more practical – cleaning, laundry or shopping then we offer a series of Wellbeing Packages.  Our Housing Support Workers and our Maintenance Officer are always on hand to give you a bit of practical help or support when needed.

If the time comes when you may need 24-hour care, although there is not a Pilgrims’ Friend Care Home in Bedford, we have linked with our Evington Home at Leicester and some previous occupants have moved there and found the care they needed.  There are also many other local Care Homes in and around Bedford. 





Quote from Doris a resident at Dorothea Court,  “It’s not just a place to live.  It’s like having your own home and at the same time being part of one big family”.

Throughout the week there are opportunities to gather together for activities including arts and crafts or exercises, and we have regular visits from local church leaders who lead devotions and services. We have occasional extra activities such as films and afternoon teas for residents and guests.

We have a very active Friends of Dorothea Court group, as well as a Pilgrims' Friend Society support group who connect with the community and plan some activities throughout the year. We are very well connected with the local church networks.

Lifestyle Photos
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We have a very active Friends of Dorothea Court group, as well as a Pilgrims' Friend Society support group who connect with the community and plan some activities throughout the year. We are very well connected with the local church networks.

Wellbeing Photos
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We have 15 retirement and 11 assisted living flats at Dorothea Court. Accommodation is suitable for couples.

Our bedrooms are beautifully decorated with en-suite facilities. Residents are encouraged to bring along some home comforts for the personal and familiar touch.

A guest flat is also available for respite breaks or visitors.

Properties
Previous Next	Dorothea Court Format 1 Bed Apartments Ensuite No We have 15 retirement and 11 assisted living flats at Dorothea Court. Accommodation is suitable for couples. A guest flat is also available for respite breaks or visitors.
	Please note: All Prices are subject to availability and other charges may apply

We have a beautiful large garden between the houses which is available for residents to use. We provide help with laundry.

Autumna has invited care providers to evidence the infection control measures they are carrying out, above and beyond those laid out by the government, in order to keep residents, staff and visitors safe.

Infection Control Initiatives in place
	Infection Control Training	Our staff are trained to use measures which prevent and control infections.
	Sterilisation & Disinfection Devices	We are using sterilisation and/or disinfection devices within our care setting.
	Virus Testing	We are testing for viral infection when symptoms present within our care setting.

Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) - Regulator’s Assessment
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, regulators have assessed the preparedness of care providers in relation to infection prevention and control. Details of the regulator’s latest findings can be found below.
Regulator: Not required
	Testing	The provider assured the regulator that it was accessing testing for people using the service and staff.
	Use of PPE	The provider assured the regulator that it was using personal protective equipment effectively and safely.
View the provider’s latest Inspection Reports.

32 Park Ave
Bedford
Bedfordshire
MK40 2LR