St James Care and Linden House were developed as part of the wider mission of the Society of St James. A leading homelessness charity in Southampton dedicated to tackling rough sleeping, housing instability, and long-term recovery from substance misuse. Through years of delivering accommodation services, supported housing, and outreach across Southampton and Hampshire, the Society of St James recognised that many of the vulnerable adults we supported did not simply move on from homelessness without ongoing challenges. We knew that care homes were needed, as care didn’t stop as soon as we supported people out of homelessness. In fact, for many individuals, this was only the beginning of a longer journey involving complex needs, dual diagnosis, mental health difficulties, and the lasting effects of alcohol dependency or drug misuse.

Due to this, we prioritised person-centred support at every stage. Ensuring that even after individuals were re-housed or moved into more stable accommodation, they continued to receive tailored care, holistic support, and specialist interventions. This recognition led to the purchase in 2007 of an older persons home in Radstock Road, Woolston, Southampton, which became known as St James Care. This service was designed specifically to provide residential care for former rough sleepers and people with histories of homelessness. Also, those requiring long-term, high-support environments due to complex physical and mental health needs.