Our Blogs
Substance Misuse Support for Southampton: SSJ&I
What SSJ&I is? In July 2026, The Society of St James excitingly took over the delivery of Southampton& adult alcohol and drug service, and that is when SSJ&I was officially born. Delivered alongside our partners at Inclusion, SSJ&I represents a major step forward for integrated,…
More Than a Setback: Why Every Attempt at Recovery Matters
“I was always considered a serial relapser. I think I am a serial trier.” It is one of the simplest lines in Joe’s story, but perhaps one of the most powerful. Two ways of describing the same person. One focuses on what went wrong….
Going beyond the kindness of a coffee: How your donations help end homelessness
A warm coffee, a friendly smile or a kind conversation can make someone’s day. Small acts of kindness matter, particularly for someone experiencing homelessness. But what does it take to make a lasting difference? At The Society of St James (SSJ), we know that people…
“They saw me for me, not just my problems”: Why consistency matters
For someone experiencing homelessness, finding somewhere safe to stay is an important first step. But rebuilding a life takes more than a roof over your head. It takes time, trust and people who are willing to stand by you. For Joe, one of the most…
The bed is the beginning: What happens after someone comes off the street?
For someone experiencing homelessness, finding a safe place to sleep can change everything. But what happens next? In our Christmas Appeal film for 2026, we meet Joe, whose story reflects the real experiences of people supported by The Society of St James (SSJ). One moment…
SSJ has been quietly delivering results for years – now we need to shout about it!
For more than 50 years, the Society of St James has been helping people move away from homelessness and towards a more positive future – one person at a time. What began as a night shelter in Southampton has grown into a charity supporting people…
Why do so many people struggling with homelessness have a history of poor mental health?
What happens when life simply becomes too much? For many people experiencing homelessness, the story starts long before they lose their home. It can begin with: Childhood trauma Domestic abuse Poor mental health Relationship breakdown Unemployment or financial pressure A lack of support And it…
St James Care
Care Homes: Supporting People Beyond Homelessness For some people, moving away from homelessness is only the beginning of their journey towards stability. At the Society of St James (SSJ), we understand that overcoming homelessness does not always mean that someone no longer needs support. For…
How Art Helped Someone Find Peace From Addiction
After fighting addiction for 25 years, a person who we support describes how art has helped them to move past addiction and find hope. After years of relapse, the individual found abstinence, peace of mind and calmness through art. Today we showcase their work, and…
Community Day Rehab: Supporting those in Need
What is Community Day Rehab? The Society of St James and Inclusion (part of Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust) are here to support and guide people through a drug and alcohol recovery journey. At CDR there is a belief that no one is broken or…
Hampshire Recovery Sports Day
Mark your calendars for Saturday, 19th September 2026, as we come together to celebrate Recovery Month! Brought to you by Inclusion, Recovery Connections Hampshire, the Society of St James, Intuitive Thinking Skills, B.More, Steps Within, and Ambition Portsmouth, this free event brings together local recovery organisations,…
Making Hep C History in Portsmouth
World Hepatitis Day provides an opportunity to celebrate a significant milestone for Portsmouth. Through the dedication of partner organisations, frontline teams and people with lived experience, the city has achieved hepatitis C micro-elimination within its adult drug and alcohol treatment service. This achievement is about…
How Accommodation Based Support Empowers the Journey Out of Homelessness
The path to independent living isn’t always a straight line; more often than not, it is a journey taken one steady step at a time. Within our mission to tackle homelessness, the Accommodation Based Support service serves as a vital bridge for individuals transitioning toward…
What Causes Homelessness in the UK? 10 Common Reasons People Become Homeless
Homelessness is a complex issue affecting thousands of people across the UK. While rough sleeping is often the most visible form of homelessness, many people experience “hidden homelessness” by staying in temporary accommodation, sofa surfing, or living in unsuitable housing.
What Is Rough Sleeping? Understanding the Difference Between Rough Sleeping and Homelessness
Many people use the terms rough sleeping and homelessness interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Understanding the difference is important when discussing housing issues and the support available to vulnerable individuals.
The SSJ Academy
The SSJ Academy is about more than learning new skills – it’s about creating opportunities, building confidence, and helping people move forward with purpose. Whether through education, meaningful activities, or volunteering, every step taken can make a lasting difference.
Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Service
The Society of St James offers guidance and support to clients across Hampshire and our services. With the main support teams being in Portsmouth and Southampton our mental health teams empower people to make positive change. Our team consist of clinical psychologists and mental health…
From service user to staff member: Mo’s journey with SSJ
See Mo’s full story here At The Society of St James (SSJ), we believe that everyone deserves a chance to rebuild their life, and Mo’s story is a powerful example of what’s possible when the right support meets unwavering determination. Mo first came to SSJ…
🎄 Raechel’s Story: “my whole life is beyond what I ever imagined…”
“I can’t put into 30 seconds what difference this has made… my whole life is beyond whatever I could have put pen to paper and thought how it was going to be. And that’s it. This is because the Society of St James gave me…
🎁 Be the first to open our Advent Calendar – Sign up for exclusive updates!
This Christmas, we’re inviting you to be part of something truly special. Starting 1st December, we’ll be sharing our Christmas Advent Calendar, powerful and personal stories from the people who make our work possible: service users, staff, volunteers, and supporters. Each day, a new story…
🎄 Take on the SSJ 25-Day Advent Challenge this December
Looking for something fun, festive and meaningful to do this December? Whether you’re an individual, a family, a workplace, or part of a school or community group — The Society of St James invites you to take on the SSJ 25-Day Advent Challenge. From 1st…
Changing the conversation: myths vs Facts about homelessness this Christmas
This Christmas, we’re asking you to pause, reflect, and look a little closer. Homelessness is often misunderstood and those misunderstandings can create harmful myths and stigma. That’s why we’re shining a light on the real stories behind the statistics, and the truths behind the myths….
Exploring homelessness: a day in the life at the SSJ academy
Homelessness is rarely caused by just one thing. Often, it’s linked to trauma, substance use, poor mental health, or lack of opportunity. At the Society of St James (SSJ), we take a person-centred approach to helping people rebuild their lives by offering support that meets…
🎄 Behind every statistic is a person: help us end homelessness locally this christmas
As we prepare for the festive season, a time of warmth, family, and giving, it’s important to remember that for many, Christmas is anything but comfortable. ❄️ Last christmas, more than 200 people slept rough across Hampshire. And that’s just the beginning. Between October and…
🎄 Opening doors this Christmas: Help us raise £80,000 to end homelessness locally
“It has been a godsend and thanks to them all I am where I am now.”– Steve, a Society of St James client This Christmas, we’re asking you to help us change more lives locally, just like Steve’s. Whilst Christmas is a time when many…
🎄 Launching our 2025 Christmas Campaign on World Homelessness Day
Today marks World Homelessness Day, a global reminder that homelessness is a human crisis affecting millions of people worldwide. Here in Hampshire, the situation is all too real. Hundreds of people face the harsh reality of sleeping rough, sofa surfing, or living in insecure, unsafe…
SSJ Academy celebration: a day of achievement and inspiration
We were thrilled to host our SSJ Academy celebration recently – a truly uplifting event that brought together learners, staff and supporters to recognise the incredible progress being made through the Academy. The day was filled with positivity, pride, and plenty of smiles, as we…
Working together to end homelessness: A visit from Stephen Morgan MP
Last week, we were delighted to host Stephen Morgan MP at our Community Day Rehab service in Portsmouth. Stephen’s visit was a valuable opportunity to showcase the work we’re doing at the Society of St James to support people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and…
Clayton Court
In June SSJ took over management of Clayton Court, a former sergeants’ mess and barracks in Aldershot which provides 44 beds of temp and supported accommodation on behalf of Rushmoor Borough Council. We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with Rushmoor Council and to grow…
The power of a song: how music is transforming lives at SSJ
Here at the Society of St James, our mission extends far beyond simply providing accommodation. While ending homelessness is at the core of what we do, we believe in a holistic approach that helps individuals rebuild their lives, rediscover their passions, and find a renewed…