Bethesda / Overview

Announcements

1 Sep 2025
Bethesda Update (September 2025)

The trustees would like to take this opportunity to inform those with an interest in the work and future prosperity of Bethesda of the following:

Adrian Topping

After many years of loyal service, Adrian Topping (General Manager), in the Lord’s purposes, will be taking up new employment within the Christian care sector in October 2025.

Adrian has served Bethesda during a number of challenging times, including the effect of the decline in the GS congregations on occupancy within the Homes, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the wellbeing of residents and staff and sadly, more recently, the closure of both the Studley and Harpenden Bethesda Homes, as well as the Redhill flatlets.

Words cannot fully express Adrian’s contribution and love for the work of Bethesda. We would wish Adrian and his family the Lord’s blessing in the pathway before them.

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19 Aug 2025
Closure of the provision at Bethesda, Harpenden
It is with sadness that we announce that after 56 years of service to the Lord and His people the provision at Bethesda, Harpenden has now closed, with the final resident being safely resettled in the Bethesda Home and Brighton on Wednesday, 13 August.
The building remains open, by appointment, to visitors between the hours of 08:00 and 15:00 Monday to Friday. For appointments please call 01582 761359. 
The Trustees continue to look to the Lord in seeking His will and direction for the future provision of Bethesda to those in old age within the GS chapels. 
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21 Sep 2023
Update to 'Applying for Admission to the Homes' page
The 'Applying for Admission to the Homes' page has been updated. Please see here for details. 
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Welcome to the Gospel Standard Bethesda Fund

We provide personal care and accommodation to people aged 65+ who are members of Gospel Standard Strict and Particular Baptist Churches, or who regularly attend Gospel Standard Strict Baptist chapels along with others who share the life style of the Home.

We can provide a service to people with a wide range of personal care needs, including those living with dementia and those with nursing needs who can be treated in our Home by community/district nurses. Our 'Statement of Purpose' can be seen here. The types of service we offer are; permanent residency, short stays for holidays or respite, and day care. In every case a detailed care plan is prepared with the resident to ensure that a personalised service suitable to their needs is provided. This is then regularly reviewed to ensure that changing requirements are met.  


An important aspect of the life of our Home is the need to provide a spiritual as well as homelike atmosphere for like-minded people. In line with this ethos there are morning and evening Bible readings and prayer taken by male members of local Gospel Standard Chapels, or when able, male residents.  



Transport to services at local Gospel Standard Strict Baptist Chapels is provided, or for those unable to attend due to infirmity services can be listened to via the relay into the Home. Prayer meetings and hymn singing evenings are held on a regular basis in the Home.   

The Bethesda Home is are rooted in the community from which the people using our services come from. This means that people coming into our Home will often be living among lifelong friends and, in many cases, relatives as well. The management and staff of the Home (many of whom are also from the same background) are supported by volunteers drawn from local Gospel Standard Strict Baptist chapels. This means that those living in the Home can stay in contact with the people they knew before moving in.

Registered Office:
Gospel Standard Bethesda Fund
Registered Charity 1199341
Company number 13651153
35 Derby Road,
Long Eaton,
Nottingham,
England, NG10 1LU