“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…

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…

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…

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….

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…

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…

“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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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. 🧠…

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…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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,…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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

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.

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…

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…

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…