The Winchester Beacon

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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 the 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/

"I didn't think good things could happen for people like me, I am so grateful for all the support that I have received f...
29/10/2026

"I didn't think good things could happen for people like me, I am so grateful for all the support that I have received from The Wi******er Beacon" -Beacon resident.

When our residents move into our accommodation they often don't know what they are looking for in the long term. At that stage, it is more about an immediate need to solve the circumstances they are faced with and to find a safe place to stay.

What they soon discover is that The Wi******er Beacon provides them with the opportunity to piece their life back together and begin again. Soon they see that their challenging circumstances can lead to a positive outcome.

Thank you to everyone who stands alongside us offering support to enable our residents to transform their lives.

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We feel very fortunate to have the support of some incredibly inspiring young people. At our recent Supporters' Evening ...
27/10/2026

We feel very fortunate to have the support of some incredibly inspiring young people.

At our recent Supporters' Evening we celebrated the contribution of some of these young fundraisers. We feel they should be really proud of their hard work and commitment to positive change.

From baking cakes to selling friendship bracelets, they all found inventive ways to raise money that has enabled our residents to build a life beyond homelessness.

Thank you for bringing hope for the future and helping our residents to change their lives.

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Connection and conversation with MGroup.This week, we welcomed staff from the local office of MGroup to cook lunch for r...
24/10/2026

Connection and conversation with MGroup.

This week, we welcomed staff from the local office of MGroup to cook lunch for residents, volunteers and staff.

The team made a delicious chilli followed by pineapple upside down cake and custard. The lunch gave everyone an opportunity to pause and share conversation.

Thank you so much to everyone involved, we loved welcoming you to The Beacon.

This time last week we were gathered with people from across our community for our Supporters' Evening at . What a speci...
22/10/2026

This time last week we were gathered with people from across our community for our Supporters' Evening at . What a special evening!

It was an opportunity to shine a light on our amazing community of supporters who give in so many different and inspiring ways.

A big thank you to the supporters who took to the stage to share their experiences of working alongside our charity. From cooking to knitting, art workshops to essential donations - your words highlighted how each act of kindness contributes to our life-changing work and enables people to rebuild their lives.

Congratulations to our young fundraisers who received certificates in recognition of their support and determination to make a difference. We feel positive about the future thanks to you.

We would also like to say a big thank you to our residents who bravely shared their experiences of homelessness and to our supporters who read their words on behalf of our residents.

Thank you so much to everyone who came along, we so appreciate each and every one of you.

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Jennie Maizels Illustrator Wi******er City Council

Last chance to book!We are really looking forward to hosting our Supporters' Evening this Thursday at The Arc in Wi*****...
12/10/2026

Last chance to book!

We are really looking forward to hosting our Supporters' Evening this Thursday at The Arc in Wi******er.

The evening will be an opportunity for us to give an insight into our support for people experiencing homelessness, share the experiences of our residents and celebrate the amazing community that makes our essential work possible.

We are excited to be welcoming a great line up of guest speakers and supporters including Jennie Maizels Illustrator and Alison Wells, Plane Talking Products.

The event is open to everyone whether you already support our work or you are curious to find out more about what is being done to tackle homelessness.

The event is free to attend but booking is essential.

When: Thursday 15th October, doors open at 6.30pm with guests taking their seats at 7pm.

Where? The Arc, Jewry Street, Wi******er, SO23 8SB

Booking essential: Please use the QR code below or head to our website.

The event is expected to end at approximately 8pm.

Please share.

Today, as we mark World Homeless Day and World Mental Health Day, we’re reminded that homelessness is about so much more...
10/10/2026

Today, as we mark World Homeless Day and World Mental Health Day, we’re reminded that homelessness is about so much more than not having a place to call home.

The worry of having nowhere to stay. The loneliness of feeling invisible. The emotional weight of trying to rebuild your life when it perhaps feels like the world has turned its back on you.

Homelessness can take a huge toll on mental health. And poor mental health can make it even harder to find a way out of homelessness.

But homelessness does not define a person and their past does not have to determine their future.

At The Wi******er Beacon, we believe everyone deserves a safe place to stay, someone who will listen without judgement and the opportunity to rebuild their life with dignity, hope and support.

Sometimes, the first step towards a brighter future is a warm bed. Sometimes, it’s a hot drink and a conversation. Sometimes, it’s knowing that someone believes in you when you’re struggling to believe in yourself.

Thank you to everyone in our community who shows their belief in the people we support, together we are helping people to transform their lives and move on from homelessness.

If you would like to find out more about how we are supporting people experiencing homelessness please join us for our Supporters' Evening on Thursday 15th October at 6.30pm. The event is free to attend but booking via our website is required.




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On Friday 9th October, we will mark World Homeless Day alongside  at ******ercathedral. You are invited to join us for E...
07/10/2026

On Friday 9th October, we will mark World Homeless Day alongside at ******ercathedral.

You are invited to join us for Evensong at 5.30pm on Friday 9th October. Together, we will remember those who have lost their lives having experienced homelessness and raise awareness of the challenges still faced by many in our community.

It is free to attend and following the service attendees are welcome to a drinks reception kindly hosted by Wi******er Cathedral.

Please share.

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Why do we need your support? Every donation to The Wi******er Beacon, no matter how small, can make a real difference to...
06/10/2026

Why do we need your support?

Every donation to The Wi******er Beacon, no matter how small, can make a real difference to someone facing homelessness.

Here is how your support could help:

🛏️£5 can help towards the cost of a bed for the night

🍽️£15 could give someone a safe place to stay, plus a home cooked meal, toiletries and fresh clothes.

💙£30 could give someone tailored support from our staff to begin on the path of rebuilding their life.

Your donation could help someone take their next step. If you're able to support us, please consider donating.

The link to donate is in our bio, thank you in advance.

Could you volunteer with us at The Wi******er Beacon? There are lots of different ways you can support us, from voluntee...
02/10/2026

Could you volunteer with us at The Wi******er Beacon?

There are lots of different ways you can support us, from volunteering overnight to sharing your skills and experience with our team and residents.

Whether you have a few hours to spare or a particular skill you’d love to share, there's an opportunity for everyone!

Why not get involved and make a difference?

Find more about volunteering opportunities on our website.

Our supply of sleeping bags at The Wi******er Beacon is running low, and these essential items are provided to people wh...
25/09/2026

Our supply of sleeping bags at The Wi******er Beacon is running low, and these essential items are provided to people who are sleeping rough.

If you are willing and able to donate a sleeping bag, you can drop one off at our main site on Jewry Street, next to the Arc. Every donation can make a real difference to someone facing a difficult night.

Alternatively, you can support us through our Amazon Wishlist, which features some of our most needed items. By choosing a sleeping bag from the list it will be delivered directly to us(The link is below).

Find out more about how we are working with our local community to support people experiencing homelessness at our Supporters’ Evening on Thursday 15th October, 6.30pm at The Arc. It is free to attend but booking is essential. Find out more on our website.

Thankyou in advance!

https://buff.ly/XdN3iPD

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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