Ending homelessness – The Society of St James

Substance Misuse Support for Southampton: SSJ&I

Fahim Miah — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 14:51:50 +0000

What SSJ&I is?

In July 2026, The Society of St James excitingly took over the delivery of Southampton& adult alcohol and drug service, and that is when SSJ&I was officially born.

Delivered alongside our partners at Inclusion, SSJ&I represents a major step forward for integrated, compassionate care in our city. Our ongoing commitment is to provide accessible, person-centred support with zero stigma and minimal barriers for anyone seeking help. Whether someone is looking to cut down, stop, or simply navigate their
relationship with alcohol or drugs, SSJ&I is there to support individuals, families, and carers
across Southampton every step of the way.

For over 50 years, The Society of St James has been working across Southampton supporting individuals through homelessness, housing insecurity, and recovery. Bringing Southampton’s drug and alcohol services under our umbrella allows us to offer truly joined-up, holistic support.

Substance use, mental health, housing stability and homelessness are deeply interconnected. By combining SSJ skills and knowledge with Inclusion’s, we are able break down barriers and meet people exactly where they are, offering wrap-around support that treats the whole person, not just the symptom.

How the service helps?

At SSJ&I, we believe that one size does not fit all. Our highly trained and passionate team works closely with individuals to build personal care plans tailored to their unique needs and goals. Key areas of support include:

Flexible treatment & reduction: Tailored support for alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, prescription drugs, harm reduction, and detox/recovery pathways.
Assessments & referrals: Quick, confidential pathways via simple self-referral or professional referral forms.
Specialist pathways: Tailored support for specific groups, including armed forces and veterans, women, people in the criminal justice system, people experiencing homelessness, and parents, children, families, and carers.
Community & wellbeing: Access to recovery and therapeutic support, harm reduction, group sessions and direct links to SSJ’s housing and support network across Southampton.

Find out more...

Whether you need guidance for yourself, want to refer a loved one, or are a professional looking to collaborate, reaching out is simple:

Visit our website: Explore our full range of services, online referral forms, and helpful toolkits at ssji.org.uk
Get in touch: Find opening times, advice resources, and contact details directly through our online platform.

Thank you to our partners, our dedicated staff, and the Southampton community for your ongoing support. With your support we are preventing, relieving and ending homelessness, and building stronger, safer, and more connected pathways to recovery.

SSJ has been quietly delivering results for years – now we need to shout about it!

Fahim Miah — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 10:59:20 +0000

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 grown into a charity supporting people across Hampshire, wherever people experiencing homelessness need help.

Why our approach works

When someone has been let down before, trusting another organisation or believing that life can really change isn't always easy.

That's where lived experience can make a difference.

Around 50% of our staff have lived experience themselves. Some have experienced homelessness, substance use or mental health challenges.

They understand what it can feel like to be in a difficult place – because they've been there too.

Sometimes, having someone alongside you who genuinely understands can be the first step towards believing that change is possible.

“My recovery feels ten times better now I’m at SSJ.”

The difference we're making

Every year, SSJ supports more than 3,500 people.

We provide 500+ bedspaces to help people move away from homelessness.

And our range of programmes provides different types of support, helping people to:

Prevent homelessness before it happens
Find a safe place to live
Improve their mental health and wellbeing
Address substance use
Build confidence and independence
Develop skills for the future
Move towards long-term stability

Portsmouth Recovery Housing

Care Homes

Southampton Floating Support

Managed Alcohol Service

Now we need your help

Like every charity, funding is vital to our work.

But before we ask you to support us financially, we want you to know who we are and see the difference your local charity is making.

We want to share more of the successes, the stories and the people behind the numbers.

And you can help us do that.

Follow. Like. Share. Subscribe.

Follow SSJ on social media.

Like and share our stories.

Tell someone about the work we're doing.

And sign up for our newsletter so you can hear about the difference we're making across Hampshire.

We've been quietly getting on with the work for more than 50 years.

Now, we need your help to shout about it.

Will you stand with SSJ?

Sign up for our newsletter today and help us share the story.

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What Is Rough Sleeping? Understanding the Difference Between Rough Sleeping and Homelessness

Fahim Miah — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 10:32:14 +0000

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.

What Is Rough Sleeping?

It is someone who has no access to safe, stable accommodation and spends the night in public spaces or other unsuitable locations.

Rough sleeping is often the most visible form of homelessness, but it represents only a portion of the wider homeless population.

Homelessness vs Rough Sleeping

When comparing homelessness vs rough sleeping, it's important to recognise that not everyone experiencing homelessness sleeps rough.

A person may be considered homeless if they:

Are staying in temporary accommodation or emergency shelters
Are sofa surfing with friends or family
Live in hostels or supported housing
Face imminent eviction with nowhere else to go
Live in accommodation that is unsafe or unsuitable

However, a rough sleeper is specifically someone sleeping outside or in places not intended for living.

Key Difference

Homelessness is a broad term covering anyone without a secure, permanent home.
Rough sleeping is a specific form of homelessness where a person sleeps outdoors or in unsuitable locations.

This means that while all rough sleepers are homeless, not all homeless people are rough sleepers.

Why Understanding Rough Sleeping Matters

People who are rough sleeping often face increased risks to their physical and mental health. Exposure to harsh weather, lack of access to healthcare, personal safety concerns, and social isolation can make it difficult to move forward without support.

Recognising the signs of rough sleeping helps communities, charities, and local services provide timely assistance and connect individuals with accommodation, healthcare, and long term support.

Supporting People Experiencing Rough Sleeping

Addressing rough sleeping requires more than simply providing shelter. Many individuals need ongoing support with housing, employment, health services, financial difficulties, and rebuilding social connections.

By understanding the difference between homelessness and rough sleeping, we can better appreciate the challenges people face and help ensure support reaches those who need it most.