Appleby Blue Almshouse, London Borough of Southwark for United St. Saviour's Charity with Witherford Watson Mann

This inner-city London project addresses critical housing and health needs for individuals aged 65 and over, offering 57 purpose-built, step-free homes. As a charity, it provides housing with an accessible Maintenance Contribution instead of rent, safeguarding residents’ housing security. The development includes intergenerational programs and support to ensure residents access all eligible benefits. It fosters a sense of stewardship among residents, promoting a supportive, inclusive community for older adults.

Healthy Homes is supported by Wates Group and in association with the TCPA

Who is on the project? 

Architects: Witherford Watson Mann Architects 

Project architect/s: Helen Lee, Anna Tenow, Graham Mateer, Pepijn Nolet 

Structural engineers: Price & Myers, Pringer James Consulting 

Services engineers: Skelly & Couch, AWA Consultants

Landscape architects: Grant Associates 

Fire consultants: The Fire Surgery 

Planning consultant: DP9 

Acoustic consultant: Ramboll associates / Hann Tucker 

Developer: JTRE London

Construction Manager: JTRE London 

Describe the context of this project and its neighbourhood and how the project was informed by health evidence and housing need.

Appleby Blue Almshouse, located in Bermondsey, Southwark, was developed to address critical housing and health needs for individuals aged 65 and over in an area of an inner-city London borough marked by deprivation and housing shortages. Southwark has one of the highest rates of social housing in London but limited affordable options tailored to older residents’ specific needs. Many face isolation, reduced mobility, and a significant gap in health outcomes compared to less deprived areas. Appleby Blue provides 57 purpose-built homes designed to foster health and social connection. The project prioritizes natural light, ventilation, and access to greenery—elements proven to improve mental and physical health. Embedded in the building is a community centre, as well as courtyard and rooftop gardens, and a community kitchen, which create opportunities for interaction and reduce isolation. Residents report improved well-being, and loneliness levels have dropped significantly. One Resident, Gwen, noted that she had frequently been admitted to the local mental health hospital due to her previous living conditions. Since moving, she has not been at all and it has “changed her life.” Resident, John, said “moving to Appleby was like jumping out of a plane without a parachute and landing on a bouncy castle”. This aligns with data showing that well-designed housing and access to community facilities can enhance quality of life and reduce healthcare costs for older populations. Particularly, that almshouses can add 2.5 years to a persons life expectancy regardless of socio-economic status (Almshouse Longevity Study, Bayes Business School).

How does this housing or mixed-use project address the Healthy Homes Principles, including ensuring affordable and secure tenancy arrangements?

Appleby Blue embeds affordability, accessibility, security, and sustainability into its design and governance. Appleby Blue offers long-term, secure housing to residents at affordable rates, with the majority of costs supported by housing benefits. This ensures stability for individuals on lower incomes. The Maintenance Contribution (not rent, as we are a charity) is set at a level that is accessible to older residents, with clear  agreements safeguarding their housing security. We aim for Appleby Blue to be our residents last home and their best home. All residents must meet the following criteria: 65 years or older, a resident of Southwark for at least 3 years, and show some form of financial need. The majority of our residents do not have private pensions, are eligible for housing benefit (which generally covers their contribution) and 50% of our 1 bed-room and 75% of our 2 bedroom nominations come from Southwark Council. The design prioritizes health by ensuring all homes are step-free, adaptable for mobility aids, and flooded with natural light. Each flat includes their own planter on the widened walkways, and access to the resident roof garden, encouraging engagement with the outdoors. Communal spaces, including a residents lounge, hobby room and garden room and community kitchen promote physical activity, reduce stress, and create opportunities for social interaction. The Skills room is used for digital skills sessions, the hobby room is used for arts and crafts, the lounge for knitting groups. Appleby Blue fosters community cohesion through shared facilities such as the Community Centre and Kitchen. Residents participate in intergenerational programmes, gardening clubs, and cooking workshops, connecting with Neighbours and the wider community. These initiatives tackle loneliness and improve mental health, particularly for older adults living alone. Sustainable features include solar panels and energy-efficient heating systems. Communal gardening initiatives reduce carbon footprints by growing local produce that is then used in the community kitchen, creating a sense of stewardship among residents. The charity oversees ongoing governance, ensuring high-quality maintenance and responsiveness to residents’ evolving needs. We have a full-time resident support team who ensure everyday that residents are supported where needed. This includes helping to understand correspondence from the local council, liaising with families and social workers and carers, booking GP appointments and accessing medication. A main role here is to ensure that residents are accessing all benefits they are eligible for. We use a tele-health system. Residents click ‘I’m Ok’. If this isn’t pressed by a certain time, a resident support officer personally checks on the residents. Homes are adaptable to meet changing health or mobility requirements, allowing residents to age in place. It is clear health outcomes have improved due to the integration of healthy living principles in design and programming. We are working with an outcome star model to track progress of residents which is being monitored.

Tell us what you did to help promote, monitor or manage health and how this informed the design, delivery and the ongoing governance of the project. Was the community engaged in the process?

Health promotion was integral to the design, delivery, and governance of Appleby Blue Almshouse. Extensive consultation with prospective residents and local stakeholders ensured the project addressed key health needs, including social isolation, mobility challenges, and access to green spaces. Workshops and focus groups with older residents shaped the project’s features, including adaptable layouts, communal spaces, and cultural programming in the shared kitchen. The design also incorporated insights from health research, emphasizing natural light, ventilation, and outdoor access to enhance physical and mental well-being. During its development, United St Saviour’s Charity collaborated with healthcare professionals, architects, and local organizations to ensure the homes met health standards and supported residents’ long-term needs. Health monitoring continues post-occupancy, with regular surveys and feedback sessions informing ongoing governance. Community activities, such as gardening, fitness classes, and shared meals, actively promote health and connection. Collaboration with local health services ensures residents can access support when needed. As a result, residents report improved well-being, higher activity levels, and reduced loneliness. Appleby Blue demonstrates how embedding community engagement and health evidence into design and governance creates housing that supports long-term physical and mental health for its residents.