The St Monica Trust was founded on a commitment to support older people in their own communities, in addition to those who live in our care homes and retirement villages. Our charitable foundation works with older people across the west of England to find ways of improving their quality of life. Through our funding, learning academy and innovation centre, we support individuals and communities to flourish through connection, contribution and choice. We can’t do this alone and our partnership with communities, charities and other organisations is essential to maximising our impact.
Charitable Foundation
St Monica Trust - 100 years of caring
For 100 years, we have been building on Dame Monica Wills’ legacy, evolving our services, innovating our approach, and creating communities where older people flourish. Our celebrations this year have been a time to reflect on how we continue to deliver Dame Monica Wills’ vision and look towards the next 100 years of the St Monica Trust with pride and optimism. From residents and colleagues to volunteers, trustees and the wider community, we are proud of everyone who has contributed to what the Trust is today. This centenary video brings together the voices of residents, colleagues and guests as they reflect on what the St Monica Trust means to them.
Core Funding update
Seven incredible organisations have been awarded Core Funding to support their vital work: Alive Activities, Age UK Bristol, Age UK South Gloucestershire, Bristol After Stroke, Swan Advice Network (B&NES), WE Care Home Improvements, and West of England Rural Network. This fund reflects our commitment to building communities where older people flourish, supported by a strong and resilient infrastructure.
Carers Fund
Unpaid carers, many of whom are older people themselves, dedicate significant time and energy to caring for family members and loved ones. We are delighted to strengthen support for unpaid carers across our region - people who make an enormous contribution to communities, often with limited recognition or support.
Communities where older people flourish - connection, contribution, choice
We're committed to communities where older people flourish and for us this means providing opportunities for our residents to enjoy treasured relationships, exercise choice and feel valued. We call these our three Cs - Connection, Contribution and Choice.
As a registered charity and not-for-profit, our unique blend of welcoming retirement villages, specialist care homes and support for older people both in our communities and across our region, allows us to put what matters to you at the heart of all that we do.
Our latest news and blogs
Second ‘outstanding’ CQC rating for Bristol charity’s care homes
New £1.1 million creative programme launches to address loneliness in the West of England
Millstream opening completes The Chocolate Quarter
Probably the best resident-brewed beer in the world
St Monica Trust marks 100 years of caring with centenary celebrations
Trust’s “community of innovators” to improve lives of older people
Centenary beer to spread ‘Hoppiness’ at St Monica Trust
Trust awards grants supporting older workers and volunteers
Margaret 'joins' Navy at age 100 and fulfills lifelong dream
Retirement village porter becomes double quadrathlon world champion at 63
Unique villages for later living
Each of our five villages has its own unique character. But one thing they all share is the special warmth the St Monica Trust radiates that’s all about living life to the full.
The Chocolate Quarter
Raising the bar
Set in the iconic Fry’s factory buildings in Keynsham, The Chocolate Quarter retirement village offers stunning one and two bedroom accommodation. There’s a pizzeria and bistro, pool, gym, cinema and lots of activities to enjoy every day.
Sandford Station
Get out of town
Nestling in the Mendip Hills, Sandford Station retirement village offers countryside retirement living in one, two and three bedroom homes. There’s a heritage railway museum on site, fine dining available in the Pullman Restaurant, outdoor bowling and an indoor pool.
Westbury Fields
Anyone for cricket?
With a cricket pitch at its heart and an adjacent croquet lawn, Westbury Fields is a leafy suburban village with lots of on-site amenities. Accommodation comes with one, two or three bedrooms, many with gardens and balconies.
Monica Wills House
Let the city come to you
An urban oasis, Monica Wills House retirement village in Bedminster boasts stunning views from its own roof garden on top of the five storey building. There’s a restaurant, onsite bar and a choice of one and two bedroom apartments.
Cote Lane
Rich in historic detail
An iconic landmark on Bristol's Durdham Downs, Cote Lane occupies twelve acres of parkland with stylish accommodation in a combination of modern and Grade II listed buildings. There’s an indoor pool, atrium restaurant and a full social calendar to keep you busy all year round.
No risk leases with guaranteed buy back
At St Monica Trust, we’ve always offered leases with the promise that the Trust will buy back the property from the resident when they leave. In April 2025, we updated our leases further to offer more openness, transparency and guarantees on the repayments that will be made. There are no hidden costs and, as the Trust buys the property back from you, no stress or worry of selling on the open market for you or your family.
Your guaranteed final repayment will be the original purchase price* of the apartment minus a ‘surrender fee’ calculated on the number of years of residency (1% per year or part year of residency up to a maximum of 10%).
We take the worry and uncertainty away of what will happen when you surrender your apartment, giving you and your loved-ones peace of mind.
A surrender fee is payable when the property is returned to the Trust, calculated at 1% of the purchase price for every year or part year of residency, up to a maximum of 10%*. All retirement properties are also subject to a monthly service charge. For details of the monthly service charge, please refer to each property's listing.
* For Equity Participation leases at The Chocolate Quarter, this figure is calculated at 2% per year or part year of residency up to a maximum of 10% on the resale price of the property.
Our care homes in Bristol and North Somerset
Our four specially designed care homes in Bristol and North Somerset sit within the beautiful surroundings of our retirement villages. Each brings you the very best care, tailored to your needs.
Charterhouse
First-class nursing and dementia care home
Charterhouse is the second St Monica Trust care home to be rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). It sits at the heart of The Chocolate Quarter, the St Monica Trust’s award-winning retirement village in Keynsham, between Bristol and Bath. It boasts beautiful private rooms, elegantly styled communal spaces and outdoor terraces, alongside easy access to the many facilities in the retirement village itself.
Russets and Sherwood
Dementia care at its best
Russets and Sherwood care home sits in the stunning countryside of Sandford, North Somerset, set within the scenic and tranquil grounds of the Sandford Station retirement village. Our Russets and Sherwood care home won multiple awards for its unique design on opening in 2010.
John Wills House
CQC rated outstanding care home
John Wills House care home is located within the beautifully landscaped grounds of Westbury Fields retirement village. A mile from Westbury-on-Trym village. John Wills House is one of just a few care homes in Bristol currently rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission.
Garden House
Award-winning design
Garden House care home sits within 12 acres of private gardens and parkland at the heart of the historic Cote Lane retirement village in Westbury-on-Trym, north Bristol. Our Garden House care home in Bristol has been thoughtfully designed to give our residents the best experience of ageing.
Care that matters to you
Caring for and about people. It’s at the heart of everything we do. That’s what makes our service so exceptional. Our specialist care extends beyond our four care homes, to providing support for people living in their own homes and specialist dementia day care.
Join our team. Make a community
Every day at the St Monica Trust, a team of more than 1,400 people share their talent, passion and expertise to create communities and deliver care that brings later living to life. If you share our positive vision and attitude, we’d love to hear from you.