Beaconwild began in June 1959 as the Abbeyfield Brighton & Hove Society, with a house in Brighton. The first Eastbourne house opened in 1962. At one stage there were four Brighton & Hove houses and three in Eastbourne. The Heathfield house opened in 1999. The St Leonards house was acquired in 2011, shortly before the merger that created Abbeyfield South Downs. Over the years, we grew steadily, wel
coming the Tunbridge Wells Society in 2016, Alfriston & District in 2017, and Worthing in 2023. In 2019, we began redeveloping our Holdenhurst site in Heathfield, opening the doors in 2022. At the launch event, we buried a time capsule beneath the iconic monkey puzzle tree – a symbol of growth and permanence. Our roots lie in the work of Richard Carr-Gomm, the 20th-century social reformer. He recognised the impact of loneliness and isolation on people’s lives. His belief that everyone deserves connection and community continues to guide us. As we’ve grown, so has our independence. Today, Beaconwild stands as an established not-for-profit organisation with decades of experience in providing sheltered housing for older people. We’ve evolved from our Abbeyfield heritage. We are a forward-thinking organisation with purpose: creating homes where independence and community go hand in hand. Where people can feel safe, connected, and valued.
