Accommodation – The Society of St James https://ssj.org.uk Welcome to The Society of St James Mon, 24 Aug 2026 12:40:34 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://ssj.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/cropped-SSJ-Favicon-32x32.png Accommodation – The Society of St James https://ssj.org.uk 32 32 Making Hep C History in Portsmouth https://ssj.org.uk/making_hep_c_history/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 09:45:26 +0000 https://ssj.org.uk/?p=1009837 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 to reach people who may have experienced homelessness, trauma, poor health or barriers to accessing healthcare. By offering testing in trusted settings and supporting people quickly into treatment, partners have helped improve health outcomes while reducing inequalities.

Although this milestone is worth celebrating, the work continues. Sustaining micro-elimination means continuing to offer testing, maintaining awareness and ensuring everyone who could benefit from treatment has the opportunity to receive it. Together, we are committed to keeping Hep C history in Portsmouth.

 

About the partnership

The Portsmouth Hepatitis C Micro-elimination Programme has been delivered through partnership working between:

  • Inclusion (part of Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust)
  • The Society of St James
  • Hep C U Later, an initiative of the NHS Addictions Provider Alliance
  • The Hepatitis C Trust
  • Portsmouth City Council
  • Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust
  • NHS England

Key facts

  • Partnership established: July 2025
  • Hepatitis C micro-elimination achieved: 16 July 2026
  • More than 650 hepatitis C tests completed.
  • Around 25 people diagnosed with active hepatitis C.
  • All but three commenced treatment.
  • The programme focused on increasing access to testing and treatment for people accessing Portsmouth’s adult drug and alcohol treatment service.

About hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that affects the liver. Many people experience no symptoms until the disease has progressed, but it can now usually be cured with a short course of antiviral medication if diagnosed early.

About hepatitis C micro-elimination

Micro-elimination is the achievement of eliminating hepatitis C within a defined population or service through systematic testing, rapid access to treatment and ongoing follow-up. It contributes to England’s wider ambition to eliminate hepatitis C as a public health threat.  Further information here: What does hepatitis C micro-elimination in drug services mean? – HEP C U Later

]]> How Accommodation Based Support Empowers the Journey Out of Homelessness https://ssj.org.uk/how-accommodation-based-support-empowers-the-journey-out-of-homelessness/ Mon, 13 Jul 2026 14:58:00 +0000 https://ssj.org.uk/?p=1009712

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 provides 60 dedicated bed spaces designed to help people find their footing in a safe, structured environment.

All the support to our clients is person - centered, led by the client, and trauma-informed. Also, the support is based on their needs, and is led by them day to day with as much or as little support as they would like. Offering them support with appointments, budgeting, cooking, shopping, and whatever their needs may be.

 

The Next Stage in the Journey: What is "Step-Down" Support?

Many of the clients who enter our accommodation-Based Support service are coming directly from intensive, high-support services.

Think of it as a "step-down" phase. When someone has experienced long-term homelessness or trauma, jumping straight into a completely independent tenancy can feel overwhelming and, at times, unsustainable. This service acts as the crucial next stage in their journey - offering a bit more freedom than intensive crisis care, but keeping a strong safety net firmly in place.

 

Led by the Individual, Guided by Care

No two journeys are identical, which is why our approach to support is entirely person-centered and client-led.

What does that mean in practice? It means our clients are in the driver's seat. Our teams meet individuals exactly where they are, tailoring day-to-day assistance to be as comprehensive or as hands-off as they prefer.

Furthermore, our care is strictly trauma-informed. We understand that the obstacles our clients face are often rooted in deeply challenging past experiences. By fostering an environment of safety, trust, and choice, we ensure that healing and independence go hand in hand.

 

Building the Practical Skills for Lifelong Success

True independence is built on a foundation of practical life skills. To ensure our clients are fully prepared to maintain their own tenancies in the future, we work alongside them to tackle day-to-day tasks that many take for granted.

Depending on what an individual needs on any given day, our team is there to help with:

  • Budgeting and Money Management: Learning how to stretch an income, pay bills, and prioritize spending.
  • Health and Wellbeing: Navigating the healthcare system and attending important appointments.
  • Daily Living Skills: Mastering cooking, grocery shopping, and managing a household.

Ultimately, our goal isn't just to provide a temporary roof over someone's head - it is to equip them with the tools, confidence, and resilience they need to thrive independently for the rest of their lives.

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