A home that feels like yours, with the reassurance of a caring community
Choosing where to live in later life is as much about feeling at home as it is about practicalities. Many older people want independence and space that’s truly theirs, while families hope for friendly faces nearby and the comfort of knowing help is available. Abbeyfield Sheltered Housing brings these wishes together.
Our teams create warm, welcoming homes where conversation is easy, support is gentle and decisions remain yours. From morning greetings and shared meals to quiet corners for reading, every day can be as sociable or as peaceful as you choose. It’s about having your independence within a community that cares.
Sheltered Housing at Abbeyfield blends privacy with companionship which means support when you want it, freedom when you don’t.
Support at a glance
- Independence first: private rooms or apartments you can personalise.
- Community at your pace: shared lounges, gardens and dining rooms for easy connection.
- Gentle support: friendly staff on site with light touch help, advice and reassurance.
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Less day to day stress: maintenance and safety checks handled, so you can focus on living well.
Our residents keep control of their routines and enjoy the everyday value of community - friendship, shared activities and calm, well kept spaces.
What support means in Abbeyfield Sheltered Housing
Support in Sheltered Housing is purposeful yet unobtrusive, designed to help with everyday life and protect your personal choices.
This includes:
- Freshly prepared nutritious shared meals: cooked with care, making mealtimes a social highlight. Residents are involved in menu planning at our regular resident meetings to ensure meals we serve are exactly what you want to eat.
- A friendly presence: staff who know you, notice when you might need a hand, and respect your privacy.
- Activities and events: coffee mornings, gentle exercise, crafts, seasonal gatherings - simple moments that make days brighter. We hold regular resident meetings where residents can put forward the activities they want to see on the calendar.
- Practical help: our team coordinate maintenance, health and safety checks, and everyday logistics in the home.
The key is flexibility. Residents choose how involved they want to be. Some enjoy a full social calendar; others prefer quiet routines with occasional conversations. In both cases, support is is available to you.
Why this kind of support matters in later life
Later life can bring changes such as; household upkeep becomes tiring, cooking for one feels less appealing, or living alone starts to feel too quiet. Sheltered Housing gently removes those stress points while safeguarding independence.
- Comfort and confidence: knowing staff are nearby can bring calmness to daily life. Residents often tell us they sleep better and feel more relaxed, because help is within reach if needed.
- Independence preserved: you still set your routine. Whether you prefer breakfast early, a relaxed morning in the garden or visiting friends nearby, your day remains your own.
- Social connection: shared spaces and regular activities make it easy to meet people, even if you’re new to the area. Small, familiar interactions such as chatting over a cup of tea, or eating together can be a highlight to someone's day.
- Peace of mind for families: clear information, friendly communication and well maintained homes can help families feel reassured, whilst their loved one maintains their independence.
How support works across Abbeyfield services
Sheltered Housing sits in the middle of Abbeyfield’s retirement home options. Here’s how our support varies across our services:
Independent Living
- Self contained apartments for over 55s.
- Maximum autonomy, with optional services such as meals and extra care services if required.
- Great for people who want community nearby, but prefer a high level of independence.
Sheltered Housing
- Private rooms or apartments plus communal lounges and dining.
- Light touch staff presence, regular meals and resident-led activities.
- Out-of-hours support through a remote pendant to speak with someone to seek help in the case of emergency.
- Ideal for those who value independence with everyday reassurance of staff on-site and social connection.
Residential Care
- For people who need daily personal care.
- Staff available 24/7. Structured care plans and activities led by an Activities Coordinator.
- Suitable when support needs become frequent or more complex.
Dementia Friendly Care Homes
- Specialist homes with tailored routines, sensory support and 24/7 staff.
- Designed to reduce anxiety and support wellbeing for people living with dementia.
Needs can change and our range of Abbeyfield services gives residents confidence that, if support levels increase, there’s a clear path to an alternative service with the appropriate level of support, without losing the sense of community.
Support across service types (comparison table)
| Support Attribute | Independent Living | Sheltered Housing | Residential Care | Dementia-Friendly Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meals | Optional or self-catered | Regular shared meals | Included | Included |
| Activities | Optional, resident-led | Routine programme | Daily, care-planned | Tailored, sensory-aware |
| Staff presence | Limited / on-call | Day-time presence (varies by home) | 24/7 | 24/7 specialist |
| Maintenance & checks | Mainly self-managed | Included | Included | Included |
| Independence level | Highest | High with reassurance | Moderate (care-led) | Moderate (therapeutic-led) |
If you would like to find out more about our Sheltered Housing, find a home near you and arrange a visit. Our friendly team is here to help.
Find a home near you and talk to our friendly team today.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) Support in Sheltered Housing
No. Sheltered Housing is designed for you to keep to your routine and enjoy your private space. Support and companionship is available when you want it, and activities are always optional.
All of our Sheltered Housing homes provide freshly cooked homemade meals, typically shared together in the communal dining room. They’re a highlight for residents who enjoy company - although you can choose how often you join in the wider group, or if you'd rather eat alone.
Light touch, everyday reassurance: staff presence, maintained spaces, activities, safe and welcoming communal areas - and clear signposting for greater support if your needs change.
As social as you like. There are regular activities and easy ways to meet people, but quiet time is respected.
We’ll help you explore options across Abbeyfield and other service providers, including Residential Care Homes or dementia friendly settings where appropriate.
Absolutely. It’s your home. We encourage photos, favourite books, plants and furniture that make your room or apartment feel like home. You are welcome to redecorate your room, although we ask that you return to room to the original colour should you decide to move.
Next steps
What type of care do I need?
If you think you, or someone you know, needs care, the first step is to get a care needs assessment from your local council. We've put together a guide on the care needs assessment process, how to prepare and what happens after you've had an assessment.
When is the right time to move into a care home?
Arranging care at home or moving into residential care or sheltered living can be a complex process, but we’re here to help. We’ll take you through paying for care, step by step.
Housing options for older people
If you’re thinking about where you might like to move as you get older we can help. We've listed some housing options for older people for you to explore and find out the difference between each.