About us
From humble beginnings, Trinity has grown into a respected and skilful organisation helping people to improve their lives. We provide vital practical and emotional support to over 600 people each year who are experiencing the effects of homelessness or vulnerability.
Our dedicated Women’s Service sees around 150 women each year. We support them to make positive change to their lives and in many cases break free from the damaging cycle of domestic abuse.
We aim to support individuals to change their situation and aspire towards positive fulfilling futures.
Our mission, vision and values
Our Vision
Working together for better lives in our community.
Our Mission
We encourage everyone to work together to provide a safe place where people affected by homelessness and social deprivation can maximise their life chances. We do this by:
- Creating environments and services where people feel valued and safe
- Being a place where people enjoy coming to work
- Attracting supporters who share our values
Our Values
We support our clients by helping them to change their situation and aspire towards fulfilling futures.
- We are non-judgemental and compassionate
- We embrace diversity and inclusivity
- We empower people by helping them to build the confidence and skills to make positive changes in their lives
- We value our staff and volunteers
- We listen to and work with others
History
The Trinity Centre was founded in 1986 as a drop-in centre to provide advice and support to socially deprived people in Winchester. It was originally housed in premises in Holy Trinity Church, then the grounds of Winchester Cathedral, and subsequently progressed via premises in Romsey Road, Winchester to a converted church hall in St. Paul’s Hill in 1995. These premises were purchased out-right following a successful fundraising campaign which realised some £160,000.
Originally constituted as a charity, Trinity also became a company limited by guarantee in 1999. Trinity further developed its services, extended opening times and by the early 2000s it had become clear that the St. Paul’s Hill premises were too small and no longer suitable for the number of service users and the expanded services provided.
From 2003 to 2006 Trinity was contracted to provide a well-respected Tier 2 Drug Service from premises in Bridge Street, Winchester. The service (named Rupert’s after a Trinity service user who tragically died from an overdose) was highly valued and successfully met the needs of this vulnerable community.
Following several years of planning and a further successful fundraising campaign, Trinity’s main drop-in services moved to new, purpose-built premises in Bradbury House, Durngate Place, Winchester in May 2009, where we are based today.
While the relocation project was in full swing, Trinity changed its name to Trinity Winchester in 2005 (recognising that services were being delivered from more than one ‘centre’) and developed two further services. One, the Women’s Service, was opened in 2006 in the Bridge Street premises and has since gone from strength to strength.
In addition, Trinity set up and developed a drop-in centre at The Camrose Centre, Vine Road, Basingstoke. The service in Basingstoke was modelled on that successfully operating in Winchester.
Following the fundraising campaign for the new premises, the realities of the economic downturn in 2009 caused the Trustees to look seriously at future revenue funding streams. Steps were taken to reduce operating costs by consolidating the Women’s Service into Bradbury House, stopping our involvement in the Camrose Centre, and reducing staffing numbers within the organisation.
