Cathedral, Council and Society of St James Partner to Offer Warmth and Hope This Winter
Portsmouth Cathedral is joining forces with Portsmouth City Council and the Society of St James (SSJ) to provide a warm, safe place for people experiencing homelessness this winter. From late October 2025 to March 2026, the Cathedral’s Becket Hall will offer shelter and support for to up to twelve guests.
All guests are referred and assessed in advance by the council ensuring that those who stay are low-risk and suitable for this setting. Two trained SSJ staff members will be present throughout each night, creating a calm and well-managed environment.
The project is part of a partnership between the Cathedral, the council, and SSJ, a charity with over fifty years of experience supporting people to move forward from homelessness.
The Reverend Canon Harriet Neale-Stevens, Canon Chancellor and Vice Dean said: “As the nights draw in, this partnership allows us to offer warmth and kindness to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. The guests who stay with us are referred through the Council’s experienced team, and the project is carefully managed to ensure everyone’s safety and peace of mind. It’s a simple but powerful expression of care in action.”
Tania Marsh Chief Executive, Society of St James said: "At SSJ we know how vital it is for people to feel safe and respected, whatever their circumstances. Our experienced staff will be on hand every night to offer both support and reassurance, ensuring the shelter runs smoothly for guests and the wider community. We’re grateful to Portsmouth Cathedral and the City Council for their partnership in making this possible."
Cllr Darren Sanders, Cabinet Member for Housing and Tackling Homelessness, said: "I'm very pleased to see this excellent example of a community working together to support our most vulnerable members. Homelessness and rough sleeping is something we can all help to combat, and having this extra option available for people rough sleeping in Portsmouth is so important."
Each morning, guests will be invited to the council's Rough Sleeping Hub on Queen Street, where they can enjoy a hot breakfast, shower facilities, and access to help with housing, health and benefits. The Becket Hall shelter offers more than a bed for the night, it provides a bridge towards stability and renewal.
Local residents have been informed about this initiative, and the Cathedral and council teams remain available to answer any questions.
This initiative has been made possible due to extra funding from the government's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
People at risk of homelessness can contact the council who can help them talk to their landlord or family to stay in their home and access practical or financial support to find a new home. People experiencing or at risk of domestic abuse, can also talk to the council's Domestic Abuse Housing Specialist. Preventing people from becoming homeless is key in tackling this city-wide issue. Get in touch with housing.options@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call 023 9283 4989 or visit If you're at risk of becoming homeless - Portsmouth City Council
ENDS
Contact for further information regarding the project:
Portsmouth Cathedral, 023 9282 3300 - www.portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
Portsmouth City Council – Rough Sleeping Team, 023 9283 4188 - RoughSleepingHub@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Media Enquiries:
For further information, interviews or images, please contact:
Joseph Keele-Toms
Head of Marketing and Events for Portsmouth Cathedral
joseph.keele-toms@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
023 9282 3300
About the partners:
Portsmouth Cathedral
Portsmouth Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, stands in the heart of Old Portsmouth and is known as the Cathedral of the Sea. As one of England’s 42 cathedrals, it serves as a place of worship, welcome and community for the city and the wider diocese. The Cathedral is open daily for prayer, reflection and exploration, and hosts a diverse programme of services, concerts, exhibitions and community events. Guided by its values of faith, inclusivity and compassion, Portsmouth Cathedral works with partners across the city to support those in need and to foster hope, creativity and connection within its community.
Society of St James:
The Society of St James exists to prevent, relieve and ultimately end homelessness in our local community. They do this by supporting people to access whatever they need to move forward – whether that’s a safe place to live, support with drug/alcohol addictions, engagement in meaningful activity, life-skills, help into employment or simply a listening ear. To find out more about what we do visit our site ssj.org.uk. The Society of St. James 125 Albert Road South, Southampton, SO14 3FR A Company limited by guarantee and registered in England No. 03009700. Housing Association No. LH4337. Registered Charity No. 1043664.