The Winchester Beacon

The Winchester Beacon Our mission is to enable people to escape homelessness for good. The Winchester Beacon offers hope and help to people experiencing homelessness in Hampshire.

The Winchester Beacon (formerly Winchester Churches Nightshelter) offers accommodation, food and vital support services to people experiencing homelessness across Hampshire. The charity has been supporting people for over 30 years as Winchester Churches Nightshelter. In 2021, we changed our working name to The Winchester Beacon to better reflect the support we now give. We are open every day of th

e year, 24 hours a day with ten bedrooms in the city centre of Winchester and an additional 12 beds at our off-site properties. We provide high quality accommodation and food, a safe and caring temporary home, and specialist support to restore self-esteem, develop skills, and support people into longer-term accommodation and independent living. We offer one-to-one advocacy support and advice, computer training, help with budgeting and finances, practical aid with food and nutrition, guidance for anyone with substance misuse problems, and counselling. Our aim is to enable people to rebuild their lives and escape homelessness for good. DONATIONS

If you would like to donate food, domestic items, clothes or funds to The Winchester Beacon please visit http://winchesterbeacon.org.uk/ways-you-can-give/

STAYING WITH US

If you need information about staying at The Winchester Beacon, please visit https://winchesterbeacon.org.uk/stay-at-the-nightshelter/

During their stay with us, we encourage our residents to explore the many opportunities on offer in our community. Build...
24/08/2026

During their stay with us, we encourage our residents to explore the many opportunities on offer in our community. Building connections outside The Beacon is an important part of nurturing a sustainable life away from homelessness.

Local clubs, activities, events, support groups help our residents whilst also preventing isolation once they move on from The Wi******er Beacon.

We love hearing about opportunities and events in the community, please get in touch with any we can share on our noticeboards.

Where is The Wi******er Beacon located?Our main site is on Jewry Street in Wi******er. We are tucked away at the back of...
20/08/2026

Where is The Wi******er Beacon located?

Our main site is on Jewry Street in Wi******er. We are tucked away at the back of the Jewry Street Car Park next to .

The lower floor of this building has been our base since 1988. Here we can accommodate ten people and over the years thousands of people have stayed with us and rebuilt their life with the support and kindness of our staff, volunteers and the wider community.

A further twelve people are accommodated and supported at our three move on houses located in Wi******er and Eastleigh.

If you are ever in the area do pop by our reception window and say hello. We are always pleased to meet people keen to find out more about what we do and how they can help.

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Many of our residents have faced weeks or months of uncertainty and challenges before they come to stay with us. Our aim...
17/08/2026

Many of our residents have faced weeks or months of uncertainty and challenges before they come to stay with us. Our aim is that when they arrive at The Wi******er Beacon they feel a sense of safety, warmth and hope.

Recently, one of our residents explained to staff that since moving in to The Beacon a couple of months ago he has found it to be a place to reset. He explained that he has been able to focus on himself and what he needs to rebuild his life.

Each of our residents benefits from one-to-one support from our staff which is tailored to their specific needs and goals. It is amazing to see the transformation many of our residents go through during their stay.

A big thank you to the fantastic team from M Group who gave their energy, enthusiasm and time to neaten up the front of ...
13/08/2026

A big thank you to the fantastic team from M Group who gave their energy, enthusiasm and time to neaten up the front of our main building.

The team of colleagues worked tirelessly removing weeds and dirt as well as scrubbing the floor clean. Staff, volunteers and residents have all noticed how much more welcoming it looks.

Support like this makes such a difference. We're incredibly grateful to the local businesses, organisations and individuals who choose to stand alongside The Wi******er Beacon. Whether it's giving time, sharing skills or making a donation every act of kindness helps us continue supporting people to rebuild their lives and move beyond homelessness.

Thank you M Group.

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What is being done to address homelessness in Hampshire?We would love you to come along to our Supporters' Evening on Th...
10/08/2026

What is being done to address homelessness in Hampshire?

We would love you to come along to our Supporters' Evening on Thursday 15th October 2026 to find out. We will talk about the many ways we are helping people facing homelessness thanks to the support of our local community.

Whether you already support our vital work or you would like to understand more about how we help people facing homelessness we'd love to see you there.

When: Thursday 15th October 2026, doors open at 6.30pm with guests taking their seats at 7pm
Where: The Arc, Wi******er, SO23 8SB

Everyone is welcome but places are limited, please click on the link below to reserve your place. It is free to attend.

Reserve your place: https://buff.ly/yzxyHjo

Please share to help spread the word.

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." - Albert EinsteinRebuilding your life after...
06/08/2026

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." - Albert Einstein

Rebuilding your life after homelessness isn't easy. It takes courage, determination and the right support.

At The Wi******er Beacon, we walk alongside every resident providing the encouragement, practical support and hope that they need to take steps towards a brighter future.

Last week, our residents joined for a cycle through the beautiful local countryside. Whether they were experienced cyclists or getting back on a bike for the first time in years, everyone was welcome.

The ride offered far more than fresh air and exercise. It was a chance to build confidence, enjoy meaningful conversation and experience the simple freedom that comes from cycling.

Thank you to for helping create moments like these that support wellbeing, connection and new beginnings.

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We are delighted to welcome a new Patron to The Wi******er Beacon.Last week, we were honoured to welcome the Dean of Wi*...
03/08/2026

We are delighted to welcome a new Patron to The Wi******er Beacon.

Last week, we were honoured to welcome the Dean of Wi******er, the Very Reverend Christopher Palmer, to The Wi******er Beacon. During his visit, the Dean met with our staff, residents and trustees and learned more about how we're supporting people experiencing homelessness to rebuild their lives.

The visit was particularly meaningful as our charity was founded by Wi******er Churches Together in 1988. What began as a volunteer-run winter nightshelter has grown into a year-round service providing safe accommodation, personalised support and hope for people across Hampshire. We're proud that our strong connection with churches and congregations continues today.

We are excited to announce that the Dean has accepted the role of Patron of The Wi******er Beacon:

"I am delighted and honoured to become Patron of The Wi******er Beacon. Across Wi******er, Eastleigh, and the surrounding areas, The Beacon provides life-changing support to people experiencing housing insecurity, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

I am deeply impressed by the commitment of staff, volunteers, and trustees, whose compassion is matched by practical action. It is a privilege to lend my support to such an important organisation, and I look forward to championing its work and helping to raise awareness of the difference it makes in our community."

We're incredibly grateful for the Dean's support and look forward to working together to shine a light on homelessness, inspire our community and ensure more people have the opportunity to build a brighter future.

Photo L-R: Nicci Roberts (Volunteer Co-ordinator), the Dean of Wi******er, Robyn Kohler (CEO), Penny Diver (Trustee) and Vicky Hemmings (Chair of Trustees).

Wi******er Cathedral

Sometimes the biggest changes begin with the smallest comforts.A safe bedA hot mealA friendly face who knows your nameFo...
26/07/2026

Sometimes the biggest changes begin with the smallest comforts.

A safe bed
A hot meal
A friendly face who knows your name

For someone experiencing homelessness, these aren't small things, they are the first steps towards feeling safe enough to rebuild their life.

Every day at The Wi******er Beacon, we provide practical support, counselling, life skills and the time people need to move forward.

Would you like to be part of our positive change? Visit our website and discover more about giving your time or resources to make a difference to the lives of people experiencing homelessness.

Within moments of beginning his new role as Prime Minister, .burnham pledged to end rough sleeping. This bold promise br...
21/07/2026

Within moments of beginning his new role as Prime Minister, .burnham pledged to end rough sleeping. This bold promise brings hope to charities like ours and to the people we support.

Ending rough sleeping is about more than just providing emergency accommodation. It will take a sustained focus on collaboration, preventative work, the provision of secure and affordable housing and the support people need to rebuild their lives.

We look forward to working with others across the country to translate this commitment into meaningful action and lasting change.

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We aim to bring hope to the lives of our residents. How do we do it? We create a foundation of hope in many different wa...
16/07/2026

We aim to bring hope to the lives of our residents.

How do we do it? We create a foundation of hope in many different ways - from the smiles of our volunteers and staff, to the bespoke support and the belief we have in each resident. Knowing there is a community around you that cares can make things seem possible again.

At The Wi******er Beacon we provide accommodation, practical support and the opportunity for people experiencing homelessness to begin again.

Thank you so much to everyone who supports our work, together we are enabling people to change their lives.

Address

20B Jewry Street
Winchester
SO238RZ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 7pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 7pm
Saturday 9am - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

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