Our news
Contactless donating comes to Southampton
As we approach our 50th anniversary, it has become clear to us that the avenues people use for fundraising have changed. A great example of this is the recently launched contactless giving points which have been installed across Southampton as an easy way to donate…
News: Safer Neighbourhood Fund featured in Portsmouth News
The Safer Neighbourhood Fund, a scheme by our partners The Southern Co-op was recently highlighted by The Portsmouth News. The report says; “working in Portsmouth and Southampton, The Society of St James has helped 23 ex-offenders learn new life and social skills, helping them to…
Fundraising – How to Support Us
Welcome to the first in a new series of blogs about how you can fundraise for SSJ. As a charity that supports people affected by homelessness and complex issues such as a history of trauma with subsequent alcohol dependency or drug addiction, we are always…
“I need help” – Liam’s Story (Case Study)
“I NEED HELP” – SSJ WAS THERE WHEN LIAM WAS READY TO TURN HIS LIFE AROUND Liam Crook has been talking to Project Worker Elizabeth Judkins about his journey to recovery and the part SSJ played in his recovery as part of our ’ 50…
50 Years and 50 stories for our Golden Jubilee
50 years – Our Golden Jubilee Back in the summer of 1972 we saw the launch of the first digital watch, Atari set the video-game world in motion with Pong and the VW Beetle became the most popular car ever sold, with more than 15m…
News: Closure of Re-cycle Bikes
Re-Cycle Bikes to close in June 2021. In light of this we have stopped receiving donations and thus will no longer be able to collect donated bikes as from today (7/6/21). Re-Cycle would like to thank our supporters for the contributions they have made over…
National Recognition for scheme SSJ are part of
The BMA (British Medical Association) have written about a scheme – which has been publicised nationally and is something SSJ has been recognised for locally. This is another example of some of the great work done by SSJ and it is great to see this…
SSJ Featured in PCC Update
SSJ Operations Director Nicky Wilsenham has been featured in an update by the Association of Police Crime Commissioners Office. Nicky said: “The support received from the PCC’s office is invaluable and allows staff to offer a trauma-informed, strength-based approach to individuals with a history of…
Interview with Senior Managers on COVID-19
Earlier this year, Dennis Jones, turned the spotlight onto our Senior Management team and asked them to reflect on what has happened since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. They discussed first reactions to lockdown 1 and their initial fears, shared stories from the frontline,…
Christmas Appeal a Success Thanks to Local Support
In November 2020, we launched our Christmas Meal Appeal to provide a hot meal to people affected by homelessness. When approaching winter, we started thinking about what service users think about the festive season and asked them to talk about what they felt when it…
SSJ featured on Homeless Link Member Blog
SSJ Feature on Homeless Link Blog Homeless Link today published a blog by Nicole Forster and Bev Alder from SSJ. We secured funding from Homeless Link’s Ending Women’s Homelessness Fund and commenced the Horizon Project in November 2019 – and this blog focuses on the…
Thank you from all at SSJ
We would just like to say a thank you to everybody who has supported SSJ in 2020. It has been a challenging year for everybody – but the support from people and businesses from across Hampshire has meant a great deal to SSJ staff and…
Irwin Mitchell Charites Foundation supports SSJ
We would like to thank the Irwin Mitchell Charites Foundation for supporting SSJ this Christmas. Michelle Jeffery, Business Development Manager at the Society of St. James, said: “Christmas is not a time of joy for all, as our recent campaign demonstrates. “For many of the…
Christmas: Behind the scenes
It’s been a busy few months as we go from another lockdown and into the Christmas season. Across our projects we are putting in an effort to make Christmas as joyous as possible for people who have a history of homelessness and addiction.
Draper Tools support SSJ New Maintenance Unit
Draper Tools Support New Maintenance Facility With Donation We would like to say a huge thank you to local family business Draper Tools for the amazing donation of robust metal shelving for our exciting new maintenance unit in Southampton. This new facility will help us…
The Rotary Club of Southampton help spread Christmas Cheer
Christmas Cheer for SSJ Care Homes Thank you to the Rotary Club of Southampton for sharing festive cheer with the delivery of 40 Christmas hamper to our Care Homes this week. Donations like this make a big difference to our residents at Christmas, especially in…
Christmas Appeal Update
We are aware that times are hard for most people right now and that is why we are delighted that we have been able to meet our first target of £5,000 for our Christmas Meal Appeal. The first week saw unprecedented support from supporters across…
Sikh Sewa Society provide delicious curries for SSJ
Sikh Volunteers Put Smiles on Faces with Curries There is something incredibly special and warming about a curry – and vulnerable adults across Southampton have been able to enjoy this feeling thanks to support from local Sikh Sewa Society. Lovingly prepared by volunteers from the…
HSBC Staff Choose Hat, Scarf and a Laugh for SSJ
Hat, Scarf and a Laugh We are grateful to all the staff from HSBC in Hampshire who chose to support SSJ for World Homeless Week. I will leave you with words from Sue Young, a Retail Branch Manager for HSBC. “To support World homeless week…
New Mountain Bikes thanks to Grant Award
Grant for Mountain Bikes will Benefit Service Users My Journey Community Grants and Southampton Council have awarded £4,000 to the Society of St James and Saints4Sport which will help pay for much-needed mountain bikes. Saints4Sport offers vulnerable people who have been affected by complex issues…
Jamies Computers – Helping you get Connected
Get Connected with Jamies Jamies Computers is proud to announce our collaboration with our Community Partners SO:Linked, TWICS, Drop The Mask Productions and more, to launch the “SO:Let’s Connect” project. The pilot is funded by SO18 Big Local and is therefore initially covering Townhill Park,…
SSJ supported by transatlantic law firm
Law Firm Support Makes a Difference Here at SSJ we are extremely lucky to be supported by so many socially minded local businesses and included in this are the wonderful team at the Southampton offices of transatlantic law firm, Womble Bond Dickinson. Last year the…
Grant means SSJ can continue to help key workers
The Society of St James has received funding to provide bikes for key-workers, as well as training for vulnerable adults in bike maintenance. The grant from My Journey Community Grants and Southampton Council means the team at Re-Cycle Bikes can continue refurbishing and delivering bikes…
2020 in review
2020 – The Strangest Year It’s been something of a strange year for all of us across the world. As a charity, we have faced many new challenges and had to adapt to what some are calling the ‘new normal’. Since our update in March…
New Van helps combat COVID-19 Impact
With thanks to funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, SSJ has been able to buy a new transit van that will help combat the impact on service users who have been forced to isolate. The previous van was prone to breaking down which would…
Stories from Lockdown
In our recent newsletter, we wrote about the impact of COVID-19 on our service users. We think these stories are too important not to share have turned them into a blog to help you our 4-months of lockdown. Read part one of this blog by…
Behind the scenes – my 12 months at SSJ
My year of learning at SSJ Twelve months ago I started working at the Society of St James as their Social Media, Communications, and Marketing Officer. I remember my first day in the office like it was yesterday – turning up as early as I…
Lockdown – How Life Changed for SSJ
Covid-19, A true community partnership On 23rd March 2020, life changed immeasurably in the UK as it had been doing and would continue to do so across the rest of the world. For those living on the street or without a secure place to live,…
Can you help with a ‘Raised Plant Bed’ project?
SSJ Hostel looking for garden bed donations: Now more than ever, we are realising the benefit of being outdoors. Many of us have spent the past few weeks and months tending to our gardens and becoming reacquainted with nature. The same has been happening at one…
Live Music Event in Aid of SSJ
Livestream Event in aid of SSJ On Saturday June 13th, SEMSU (Society of Electronic Music – Southampton University) – a society focused towards the student and young adults population in Southampton, will be hosting a livestream of exciting music in aid of SSJ