Tucked away in Stockwood, Haberfield House is part of a much longer story of care, community and housing support in Bristol. Run by Bristol Charities, Haberfield House provides high-quality, self-contained homes for older people who are in housing need. In simple terms, that means people who, for different reasons, may not be able to access suitable housing through the private market.
But Haberfield House is not just a place to live. It is a place to have a life.
The building has been carefully designed with independence, safety and community in mind. There are lifts, wide corridors, electronic doors, accessible spaces and support available when people need it. Residents have their own front door and their own home, but they are also part of a wider community where friendships can grow, activities can take place, and familiar faces are never far away.
At Haberfield House, that sense of community often feels like being part of a neighbourhood. The social spaces are full of chatter, laughter and everyday moments of connection. Groups such as Knit and Natter offer a relaxed way for residents to come together, enjoy a cup of tea, catch up with friends and put the world to rights, one stitch at a time.
That neighbourly feeling is part of what makes almshousing so special. Residents have their own independence and privacy, but they also have the reassurance of community around them.
One resident says: “I’ve got my independence, I can be myself and live my own life, but at the same time I feel safe and secure here. I feel supported and I love the community.”
That balance is at the heart of Haberfield House and means independence does not have to come at the cost of connection. Stockwood’s almshousing may be modern, but it is part of a very old tradition. Almshouses in Bristol date back to at least 1292, when Simon Burton created an almshouse in Long Row. Over the centuries, almshouses were founded across the city to provide homes for people in need, often older residents, widows, or those without the means to secure safe housing elsewhere. Between 1292 and 1891, 35 almshouses were founded in Bristol.
Haberfield House continues that tradition in a way that meets today’s needs. Located on Hollway Road in Stockwood, it opened in April 2019 and provides 60 one and two-bedroom apartments. Bristol Charities describes the development as spacious, secure and designed to provide a “home for life”, with facilities where housing and support can be tailored to individual needs.
For local people, this matters. In a city where housing can be difficult to access, especially for those on limited incomes or with changing care needs, almshousing offers something deeply valuable: a secure home, a sense of dignity, and the chance to remain part of a community.
Residents speak about the quality of their homes, the safety they feel and the friendships they have made, with 94% of residents saying they are really satisfied with their housing. This reflects not only the buildings themselves, but the life that happens inside them.
As one resident puts it:
“I’ve made lots of new friends here, which is nice. I can’t fault it. I absolutely love it here and I wouldn’t move anywhere.”
Haberfield House is a reminder that good housing is about more than shelter. It is about independence, belonging, safety and connection. And here in Stockwood, it is helping older residents live not just with support, but with neighbours, friendship and community around them.
