Our news

Meet the Chair: Alan Davis

Meet the Chair: Alan Davis on Purpose, People, and the Power of Doing a Little Bit More An interview with Alan Davis, Chair of the Board at SSJ When Alan Davis first became involved in homelessness support, it was a world away from his day job. Running a successful property…

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Thank you to housing management!

I’d like to thank SSJ for all their support over the past 15 years. You offered me housing when I faced homelessness and I started in a supported property before moving into unsupported. I’d like to thank the support staff, housing management and security for…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Shales Road opening

In 2025 SSJ purchased Shales Road. Shales Road is a 6-bed shared house and yet another big move for SSJ towards ending homelessness across Southampton. Shales Road is now part of the SSJ Supported Lettings Pathway, a pathway for service users who require intensive support…

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The Power of Community: Healing Through Connection, Understanding, and Care

When we talk about homelessness, the focus is often on the visible struggles—lack of shelter, food insecurity, or joblessness and beneath the surface lies a deeper, often invisible wound: trauma. For many experiencing homelessness, trauma isn’t just part of the story—it is the story. 🧠…

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Exploring homelessness part 2 – through the eyes of Kelly.

Meet Kelly a recovery worker in the Portsmouth homeless drug and alcohol team. Homelessness, substance misuse and poor mental health are often linked, creating a complex array of challenges for individuals struggling to rebuild their lives. In Portsmouth, a dedicated team is working tirelessly to…

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From temporary to tenancy: Your regular gift will help make a difference

As we welcome the spring season, spare a thought for those who do not have a safe space to call home. At the core of what we do is a simple yet powerful belief: a safe space to live is a fundamental human right. However,…

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Exploring Homelessness, Part 1: Homelessness Through Georgia’s Eyes

Meet Georgia, a dedicated support worker at our Rough Sleeping Support Service in Portsmouth. This vital service encompasses three temporary accommodation blocks, offering over 100 places for people to stay and all tailored to individual support needs. The team also includes an outreach team and…

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We Raised £61,497.78 Over Christmas 2024 – Thank You!

We are incredibly grateful for your generosity during our 2024 Christmas campaign. Since the launch of our campaign on 1 December, we’ve raised a fantastic £61,497.78, along with countless donations of clothing, Christmas presents, food, and more. Thanks to you, we exceeded our £50,000 target—what…

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Exciting New Partnership with Tandem Electrical to End Homelessness

At the Society of St James, we are thrilled to announce our new partnership with our local neighbors, Tandem Electrical, experts in electrical services with NICEIC accreditation. This collaboration promises to make a lasting impact, with Tandem committing to generous regular donations to SSJ and…

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Join Us in Making a Difference This Christmas – Help Us Raise £50,000 for People Experiencing Homelessness

This Christmas, we are aiming to raise £50,000 to fund our vital work supporting people experiencing homelessness across Southampton, Portsmouth, and across Hampshire. It is a moral, human right for someone to have somewhere to live and SSJ walk beside those experiencing homelessness to help them navigate…

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Autumn Budget Brings Mixed News for Homelessness Sector, Society of St James Urges Further Support

The Society of St James (SSJ) has responded to the recent UK Autumn Budget with a mixture of cautious optimism and concern. While the Chancellor’s announcement of increased funding for local authorities and the Affordable Homes project represents a welcome step forward in tackling homelessness,…

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Meet Our New Chief Executive

Our new Chief Executive, Tania Marsh, joined us in June. We’re so glad she has joined the SSJ Team and we’re extremely excited for our bright future with her. Watch her interview below to get to know her better.

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Grant Received from the National Lottery Community Fund

We are thrilled to announce that the SSJ Academy has been awarded a prestigious grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, totalling £835,610! We are extremely grateful to the National Lottery and National Lottery players for recognising our hard work and for investing in SSJ…

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Overdose Awareness Blog Banner

Overdose Awareness Day

At SSJ we work with people facing multiple disadvantages. They face a combination of problems with their current circumstances being shaped by long term exposure to poverty, deprivation, trauma, and abuse. These inequalities can manifest in a combination of issues including drug misuse. On average…

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SSJ want to raise awareness for Domestic Abuse more than just once a year!

At SSJ, we feel it’s important to raise awareness more than just during October’s Domestic Abuse Awareness Month. Are you or someone you are supporting experiencing emotional, physical, or verbal abuse? You are not alone. SSJ is here to help. Domestic violence affects millions of…

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Summer of Stronger Relationships and Brighter Futures Starts Now

This summer, we want to bring sunshine into the lives of vulnerable adults experiencing multiple disadvantages with our Stronger Relationships, Brighter Futures campaign!

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SSJ Academy - Group Cycle Ride as Part of Re-Fit

The SSJ Academy Doors are Open!

We are excited to officially launch the SSJ Academy. This comprehensive initiative has been designed to help residents and service users transform their lives through meaningful activity.

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“We need, in every community, a group of angelic troublemakers.” – Bayard Rustin

Bayard Rustin was one of the closest associates of Martin Luther King and an important figure in the civil rights movement. Rustin campaigned not only for the rights of African Americans but also the rights of the LGBTQ community. Rustin urged those who felt afraid…

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Trevor’s Last Day at SSJ

Trevor’s Leaving Do On Friday, 17th May, SSJ’s Chief Executive, Trevor Pickup retired after 31 years of service to the charity and community. We celebrated Trevor’s achievements at his retirement party, where we enjoyed a delightful evening reminiscing on the incredible journey SSJ has taken…

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Understanding How Trauma Impacts Behaviour

What is trauma? Trauma. It’s a word we hear often, yet its actual impact on individuals can sometimes be missed or misunderstood. When we speak of trauma, we’re talking about experiences that shake a person to their core, leaving deep scars on their mind and…

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A Touch of Magic Raised Over £10,000 for SSJ

A Touch of Magic, a Portsmouth based charity who chose SSJ as their cause for 2023, have been fundraising for us throughout 2023. They set a target of £10,000, but absolutely smashed it by raising £10,836! A Touch of Magic hosted a range of events…

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Airport Lodge Joins the SSJ Stable: A Safe Space for Individuals Experiencing Homelessness

We are delighted to announce the addition of Airport Lodge to the SSJ stable, our latest project aimed at providing housing and intensive resettlement support for individuals experiencing homelessness in the Farnborough and Aldershot areas.  Our dedicated team provides comprehensive, trauma-informed support, addressing a range…

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SSJ Bids Farewell to Chief Executive Trevor Pickup

After an extraordinary 31 years at the helm, Chief Executive Trevor Pickup is set to swap his leadership hat for a gardening fork as he retires from the Society of St. James (SSJ) in May 2024. Trevor’s dedication and leadership have become synonymous with the organisation, shaping its…

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The Intersection of Mental Health, Addiction and Homelessness

Trauma’s Role on Mental Health, Addiction and Homelessness Trauma can have a profound impact on an individual’s life, often serving as a catalyst for the triple crisis of mental health, addiction, and homelessness. Deep-seated emotional wounds may result in mental health disorders such as depression,…

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A Thank You To SSJ

I would like to express my thanks for the amazing help and input I’ve had from The Floating Support Service at the Society of St James and in particular Colin Howell and colleagues since January this year.  I’m doing a Masters degree in Clinical and…

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Natasha’s Story

Natasha’s journey with SSJ began as a client, marking the beginning of a transformative chapter in her life. Following her remarkable recovery, Natasha not only conquered personal challenges but also embraced a newfound purpose within the SSJ community. With unwavering dedication, she transitioned from being…

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SSJ’s Accommodation-Based Support: A Story of B&Q’s Generosity

We are incredibly fortunate to have B&Q supporting our work here at SSJ. For the second time this year, as part of their annual Community Days programme, a team of B&Q employees worked tirelessly to transform the living space for residents that we are supporting…

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