Brigstowe grew out of the ‘Bristol HIV & Housing Group’, which was comprised of representatives from Bristol City Council Social Services HIV Team, the Housing Department, Avon Health, Bristol Churches Housing Association, Bristol Drugs Project and the Aled Richards Trust. The group’s aim was to identify and plan for the housing needs of people living with HIV in the area. In the early 1990s, following a research report commissioned by the group, Bristol Churches Housing Association obtained capital funding to build 8 new purpose-built houses on scattered sites.
A development worker was appointed in 1994. After consultation with local HIV+ people, who expressed a strong preference for independent, HIV+ specific housing management, the Brigstowe Project registered as a charitable company in 1995. In 1996 we won the national Sir Roy Griffiths Award for excellence in housing and community care.
Until March 2010 we managed 16 properties owned by Places for People; this ceased in April 2010, although we do continue to hold nomination rights. Since then we have worked hard to ensure that the organisation is sustainable amidst repeated funding cuts from local authorities, whilst continuing to provide high quality services to our clients. We are always striving to improve and develop our services to meet the changing needs of people living with HIV.