Spring

March 2024

The Society of All Saints Sisters of the Poor was founded in 1851 and has had a presence in Oxford since 1879.

The site in Oxford became the Mother house in 1976.

In 1982, the Sisters founded Helen House, a hospice for children with life-shortening conditions, followed by Douglas House in 2004 for young adults.

Earlier this year, Helen and Douglas House acquired from ASSP the freehold of the land they stand on , thereby securing the presence of the hospices. In 1986, the Porch drop-in centre for homeless and vulnerably housed people moved from a café within the property of the Convent to a house across the road and operates independently.

Established in 1873,St John’s Home was run by the Sisters for many years. It continues to operate under independent management as St John’s Care Home. The site comprises a number of substantial buildings which need to be managed.

The Sisters, after consultation with the Trustees, have now reluctantly taken the decision to vacate the site during 2024. Their intention is to move back to London where the Community was originally founded and where they can continue their ministry , without the burden of managing such a large property- based estate.

They do so in the knowledge that they leave behind in East Oxford an important legacy comprising thriving and relevant institutions which will continue to support the local community long after they have moved away.