Society of St James

The Society of St James is an English charity based in Southampton, providing accommodation with care and support to homeless and vulnerable people. The Society began in 1972 by establishing a night shelter for homeless men in St James’ Church Hall, followed by a soup run in the city.

Not to be confused with Missionary Society of St. James.
Society of St James
AbbreviationSSJ
MottoBelieving in your future
Formation1972
PurposeHouses vulnerable people
Location
  • Southampton, Hampshire
Region served
Southampton, England
Staff
170
Websitessj.org.uk

Now, the Society manages over 25 projects, with over 180 people being housed at any one time. The Society also runs several projects supporting people in the community and an employment and training project, Jamie's, where computers are refurbished and recycled. The soup kitchen was discontinued in 2009.[1]

The Society is a registered charity (Registered Charity Number: 1043664) and became a Housing association in 1998.

The Society is a secular organisation. It gained national media attention in 2009 when it suspended an employee for discussing religious views with a colleague during the night shift.[2]

In 2011 the charity highlighted the issue of homelessness with a model skeleton on a sleeping bag with the sign "how long until you take notice?"[3]

References
  1. "The Society of St James ending Southampton soup kitchen service". Daily Echo. 6 August 2009. Archived from the original on 2012-07-10. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  2. "Charity worker suspended over 'religious debate' with work colleague". Daily Telegraph. 11 April 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  3. "Southampton's 'Skinny Steve' skeleton supports charity". BBC. 7 April 2011. Retrieved 10 July 2012.


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