On Wednesday, February 1st, the Trinity Art Group (TAG) will take over the Southampton City Art Gallery for a one-of-a-kind museum takeover/performance event. The event is the culmination of the ‘Making Space’ project, a collaborative social practice project that brings together professional and amateur artists, the charity Trinity Winchester, Winchester School of Art, and the Southampton City Art Gallery. A two-month exhibition formed from the documentation of the workshop process will be installed in the main sculpture hall of the museum later in the month.

The ‘Making Space’ project is more than just an art project; it’s a space to make things and make things happen,” said Alastair Eales, facilitator and UoS PhD researcher. “It’s an antidote to social isolation, exclusion, and loneliness. It’s a space for a new convergent community to traverse the charity space, cultural space, and public space. To share knowledge, ideas, and creativity. It’s about being actively part of the cultural fabric of our society and meeting new people and working together on a level platform.”

‘Making Space’ began with workshops where participants were allowed to explore their creativity and express themselves through art. The workshops were led by professional artists and facilitated by the Trinity Winchester charity, which supports individuals experiencing homelessness in the local community.

The museum takeover/performance event will feature colourful cardboard costumes created by the Trinity Art Group, which comprises local community members who have been affected by homelessness. The event will be a way for groups to reposition and reclaim positive identities through sculpture and performance art.

The event will take place on Wednesday, February 1st, from 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM at the Southampton City Art Gallery. Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend.

For more information on the “Making Space” project and the museum takeover/performance event, please contact Alastair Eales by email at ale1u20@soton.ac.uk or mobile: 07545324323

Lily-Grace (10) and Charlotte (10) are going to be walking 20K for Trinity this weekend.

On Friday 1st July they will be camping on the Jurassic Coast ready for an early start on Saturday 2nd July, where they will complete the final stretch of the Jurassic Coast pathway from Studland and Worth Matravers.

“Every time I see someone who is homeless, I feel really sad, because they look so cold. I always wonder what happened and how they got there. My Grandpa has worked at Trinity for a long time as a volunteer and as the Chair of trustees and he has inspired me to follow in his footsteps ” – Lily Grace

Together they have already raised over £1,000 and would love if you could spare a moment to support them.

As we are coming to the end of our first year of our new accommodation at Trinity, we wanted to showcase some of our rooms and thank you all for your continued support. Our residents are offered a safe and nurturing environment with 24-hour staffing, alongside counselling, healthcare, quality food (some of which is kindly donated from local suppliers), giving them a real opportunity to recover from the impact of long-term homelessness. We are proud of our services and our staff, and very grateful for all who continue to support us. If you are concerned for a rough sleeper or would like to know more about Trinity, please contact us or check out our website www.trinitywinchester.org.uk Here are some pics for your info.

Trinity Winchester addresses the effects of homelessness and vulnerability through specialist practical and emotional support, and proactive prevention, empowering positive change. We help people who are vulnerable to the effects of homelessness, addiction, physical and mental ill health, poverty, social isolation, and domestic abuse. We offer solutions, hope, choice, and control.

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.

Trinity Winchester also offers supported housing in Alleyne House, opened in 2019, and Bradbury View opened in 2021. These houses offer a total of 20 self-contained rooms giving homes to those that have formerly did not have them and offering a first step on the journey to independent living.

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 domesti cabuse.

We aim to support individuals to change their situation and aspire towards positive fulfilling futures.

We are seeking a Chair of Trustees to lead us into the next stage of our development, as we continue to provide relief from the effects of homelessness in the Bradbury House day centre and our supported housing in Winchester.

The Role

As the Chair of Trustees at Trinity Winchester you will be responsible for the oversight, direction, and strategy of the charity and in supporting the senior management team and ensuring appropriate accountability. You will be legally responsible for making sure that the charity is financially sound, complies with the law and is acting within the best public interest.

A Winchester based charity has been highly commended at Homeless Link’s annual excellence awards.

Local homelessness charity Trinity Winchester was highly commended in the ‘Home Safe’ category at the awards, which celebrate the best of the homelessness and supported housing sector, with the ‘Home Safe’ award recognising an organisation that creates high quality, affordable accommodation options for people experiencing homelessness, enabling them to have the right to open and close their own front door and feel safe and secure in their own accommodation.

A nine strong judging panel, with expertise drawn from across the housing and health sectors, commended Trinity Winchester for its work in developing UnderOneRoof@Trinity; 12 purpose-built ensuite ‘flatlets’ behind the Trinity Winchester day centre.

Residents at UnderOneRoof@Trinity – now named Bradbury View – enjoy their own kitchenettes as well as a shared lounge and full kitchen, with residents given a real say in how communal spaces are managed. A range of therapies and other support are also available, with regular communal meals.

Steve’s story
Steve moved into UnderOneRoof@Trinity after being offered emergency accommodation during the pandemic. He had struggled to maintain previous tenancies, often rough sleeping as a consequence.

During one moment with his support worker, Steve was asked about what his interests are. He said he loves being outdoors and would like to learn how to garden. He is now the proud owner of several tomato plants and a strawberry plant and has taken on responsibility of maintaining the lawn and the patio. Steve says how calming it is to be in the garden, and it helps him to manage the cravings of addiction.

During his time at UnderOneRoof@Trinity, Steve has greatly reduced his drug use and is looking to gain new skills to become more independent.

Sue McKenna, CEO at Trinity Winchester said: “This is tremendous recognition for our fantastic project. Bradbury View has joined Trinity’s Alleyne House in offering new homes for people most in need in Winchester. We are delighted to receive this award”.

Rick Henderson, CEO at Homeless Link, the national membership charity for frontline homelessness organisations, said: “As we leave the pandemic behind, it’s important homelessness organisations innovate to find longer-term solutions for the people they housed. In giving people their own private homes, as well as co-produced group spaces, the UnderOneRoof@Trinity project encapsulates everything Home Safe stands for.

“It acted quickly to make sure people didn’t return to the streets, while also making sure the space was co-produced by residents and using innovative funding approaches to help achieve this goal. UnderOneRoof@Trinity has given people the stability and security to rebuild their lives, richly earning its commendation in the Home Safe award.