Blog
SSJ has been quietly delivering results for years – now we need to shout about it!
SSJ have 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…
Read MoreWhy 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 can happen to anyone. Someone can have a university degree,…
Read MoreSt 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 many vulnerable adults, there can be ongoing challenges linked to…
Read MoreHow 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 how using their creativity, through drawing portraits, has helped them…
Read MoreCommunity 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 needs fixing, but as humans we can, and do, get…
Read MoreHampshire 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, and individuals from across Hampshire for a day centered on…
Read MoreMaking 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 much more than statistics. It reflects months of partnership working…
Read MoreHow 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 long-term stability. Operating across eight properties in Southampton, this service…
Read MoreWhat 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.
Read MoreWhat 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.
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