Dawn So has a new-found sense of freedom since moving into her new home. Having lived in Bristol for nearly 40 years, she says she feels really at peace at Hillside Court.

“I moved into an apartment here a year ago,” she says, “after vandalism and harassment forced me out of my previous home.”

The centre, run by Housing 21, offers care 24 hours a day and its services are open to anyone in the area. This has helped it become a thriving social hub for older people in the city.

There is a restaurant, space for socialising, an IT room, a hairdresser’s and three assisted bathrooms. “Everything is to hand,” says Dawn.

Eight of the 49 flats have been adapted for deaf people, with facilities such as strobe lighting doorbells and a vibrating fire alarm. Staff who are able to use sign language have been recruited and specialist training has been provided.

But for residents such as Dawn, being able to spend time outdoors has made the greatest difference. “Things like setting up the garden here have been very important to me,” she says.