The care and support service at Monica Wills House Retirement Village in Bedminster was rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC following an assessment which ended on 8 July 2026.
Out of the five key lines of enquiry (KLOEs), Caring, Responsive and Well-led were all rated ‘outstanding’, with Safe and Effective rated as ‘good’.
Only 3.5% of health and social care services in England are currently rated as ‘outstanding’ by the CQC. Monica Wills House’s Care and Support Service joins the St Monica Trust’s John Wills House Care Home in Westbury-on-Trym and Charterhouse Care Home in Keynsham, in achieving the highest rating from the Ofsted-style system.
"Meaningful, fulfilling and enriched lives"
The CQC inspection report said that Monica Wills House provided “safe, effective, caring and responsive support within a highly inclusive and well-led service,” and that it was a place where “people experienced outstandingly personalised care, strong community connections and opportunities to live meaningful, fulfilling and enriched lives.”
St Monica Trust’s Chief Executive, David Williams, said “My congratulations go to Monica Wills House’s Care and Support Service on their achievement, which puts the St Monica Trust among a handful of elite care providers who have three or more services rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC.
“As highlighted in the inspection report, Monica Wills House is clearly a place where our residents are flourishing through forging connections with the wider community, having choice in how their care is delivered and making a vital contribution to the warm and welcoming environment there.”
“The ‘outstanding’ rating is particularly pleasing as Monica Wills House is due to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year, with many residents and colleagues having lived and worked there since it first opened.”
"Providing the best possible support"
The CQC report noted how residents’ comments to the inspection team reflected the significant and positive impact the service had on their lives.
These included residents saying “they felt safe, valued, respected and empowered to live fulfilling lives,” and that residents “spoke warmly about the meaningful relationships they had developed with staff, describing them as compassionate, kind and genuinely invested in their well-being.”
One resident told the inspection team that “coming here has been the beginning of a different life rather than the end of it. It's certainly a new lease of life.”
The report also stated how relatives were “overwhelmingly positive about the service, praising staff for their kindness, responsiveness and communication,” and describing staff as “caring, attentive and committed to providing the best possible support.”
One relative told the CQC inspectors “the staff don't just care for my relative, they genuinely care about them as a person. Nothing is ever too much trouble.”
The report also highlighted how Monica Wills House had a number of initiatives that “promoted social inclusion, reduced isolation and enabled people to make valuable contributions to their community.”
These initiatives included developing strong relationships with local schools with children regularly visiting the village and creating meaningful intergenerational opportunities.
Tailored care and support
The Trust’s care and support service offers a range of especially tailored care and support to help village residents maintain their independence.
This service can vary from meeting personal care needs, such as showering or getting dressed, to offering assistance with medication, companionship, shopping and preparing meals.
The St Monica Trust’s Domiciliary Care Manager, Sharon Morris said: “The one thing you can’t teach people is how to care – you either have it within you or you don’t – and this is a service which clearly cares deeply about the individuals it supports.
“Every single colleague is always willing to go above and beyond, which allowed the care and support leadership team to focus on strengthening core skills and putting the systems in place necessary to achieve this ‘outstanding’ rating.”
Located in Bedminster, Monica Wills House Retirement Village offers accommodation for 121 residents, including 50 apartments allocated for social housing through Bristol City Council.
For further information on Monica Wills House or any of the St Monica Trust’s Retirement Villages please call 0117 363 7160 or email sales.team@stmonicatrust.org.uk.