PCC Donna Jones helps pack festive food bags for Portsmouth’s homeless

Staff at a Portsmouth café have been helped by Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, to pack Christmas food bags for homeless people across the city.

The PCC visited Café in the Park in Victoria Park to assist putting together dozens of essential packages containing festive fare, which are being distributed to more than 150 people in need by the Society of St James charity (SSJ).

Café in the Park provides meaningful employment and training opportunities to local people with histories of homelessness, substance misuse, and offending.

PCC Donna Jones said: “It was a joy to return to Café in the Park, run for the past seven years by the brilliant Society of St James.

“It’s been a pleasure for me to meet the staff and help them prepare festive food bags, being distributed across the city to homeless people.

“Homelessness is a complex and often misunderstood issue with many people in that situation facing stigma, discrimination and isolation, especially those who have come out of prison and are tackling long-term drug and alcohol addictions.

“I am proud to support this project, which provides volunteering and employment opportunities for people who need get back on their feet. Studies show that meaningful employment significantly improves the likelihood of successful recovery and reduces the risk of reoffending.

“Café in the Park is helping people rebuild their lives and is a vital part of the community in Portsmouth.”

Funding from PCC Donna Jones helps to ensure the café can continue its work and serve as a supportive, empowering environment for vulnerable individuals.

The Festive Food Bags, paid for by SSJ’s Pay it Forward initiative alongside donations from Brakes food suppliers and the Southern Co-op, ensure that some of the most vulnerable members of the community can enjoy food and comfort over the festive period.

The Society of St James works with around 1,000 individuals in Portsmouth at any given time, providing comprehensive support for those experiencing homelessness, problematic alcohol or substance use, and mental health challenges.

Tania Marsh, Chief Executive of the Society of St James, said: “A festive food bag can make all the difference to someone who is homeless, because they often don’t feel like they’re part of the community.

“If we all provide support, then we are all part of one community and we can help people to stay brighter, know that others can be trusted and that people thinking about them.

“The Christmas season is very difficult for some people, particularly those who don’t have family or maybe estranged family. Our staff and volunteers work hard all year round to make a difference and to do our bit towards ending homelessness together across Hampshire.”

Café in the Park, formerly known as The Arts Lodge, was totally refurbished and transformed in 2017 after the Society of St James was awarded a contract by Donna Jones during her tenure as Leader of Portsmouth City Council.

Lynne White, Café in the Park project manager, said: “Every cake and every coffee sold helps the charity and helps the homeless people of Portsmouth. Our café helps end homelessness.”

Customers can donate to Café in the Park’s Pay It Forward scheme, with a £2 donation which provides someone who is disadvantaged with a hot drink or seasonal snack at the Café.

The Café in the Park is located in Victoria Park, Anglesea Road, Portsmouth, PO1 3HJ and is open Mon-Sat.

The Society of St James (SSJ) is a Hampshire-based charity providing support for homelessness, addiction recovery, and mental health services.

For more information about SSJ and their work, visit: https://ssj.org.uk/

For more information about Cafe in the Park, visit: https://ssj.org.uk/social-enterprise/cafe-in-the-park/