Stockwood sits on the south-east edge of Bristol. It is known as a place of lots of green space, good for dog walking, community assets - and some anti-social behaviour.
Built in the 1960s, many people moved to Stockwood at that time and have stayed, meaning that it is a reasonably stable population.
However, as the population has aged and moved out of their homes, an increasing number of young families have started to move in.
Stockwood
Locally there is a bit of divide between Upper Stockwood, where the shops are, and Lower Stockwood, down the hill.
There are a lot of groups, activities and assets in Stockwood, but the vast majority are in Upper Stockwood. People living in Lower Stockwood have reported loving living so close to woodlands and green spaces but also feel distanced from easily walkable amenities such as shops and community spaces.
“I love all the green spaces and being able to get out in nature.”
This is particularly challenging for older residents who have lived in Stockwood all their lives but are now housebound due to health or mobility issues.
What was once a close-knit, vibrant community has become a place where neighbours often don’t know one another, with clear divides between young, busy families and an older, unseen generation who rarely engage with people or activities beyond their front door.
“Stockwood is forgotten. The council move people here that they want to forget about.”
The region
Stockwood is in South Bristol, which, historically, was almost entirely in Somerset, but is now the suburbs of the city.
The area is largely residential. There also remains old farmland and ancient woodland, giving a mix of modern housing, nature and wildlife.
Bristol Charities’ history in the city stretches all the way back to 1292, with the creation of Burton Almshouse. Today, it continues to play a key role in Bristol through its mission to, “empower communities through dignified housing, collaborative hubs, and the infrastructure charities need to thrive.”
It has a long-standing presence in Stockwood via Haberfield House. In recent years, Bristol Charities has partnered with the Greater Stockwood Alliance, a group of local residents, to help transform the neighbourhood. The resultant Stockwood Hub has established valuable partnerships and has recently launched Community Connectors to engage local residents in how they would like the neighbourhood to change.
Bristol Charities
Thank you to all Impact Alliance members who have shared photos to use on this website. Please see below for photos used on this page. (Any photos not credited are available via Creative Commons licensing).
Stockwood residents, courtesy of Bristol Charities
Royal Legion poppies to mark Remembrance Day. Courtesy of Bristol Charities.
The Stockwood Wombles, courtesy of Bristol Charities