Comfort and Joy: Christmas generosity will boost spirits of people living in charity hostels after becoming homeless

Residents of Portsmouth Churches Housing Association hostels have shared how the charity is providing great support ahead of receiving generous voucher donations from the Comfort and Joy campaign.

St Paul’s House in Southsea, St Monica’s House in Fratton and Somers Road Hostel in Somerstown are home to families and single women who have found themselves homeless for various reasons.

Finance officer Emma Adams, who has been on the management team for years after starting as a St Paul’s resident, said: ‘We have been very fortunate we have been able to participate with the Comfort and Joy scheme for quite a few years now.

‘It helps our clients to get the treat for Christmas that they can’t necessarily afford. It’s really nice and they really appreciate it.

‘Knowing people are looking out for you means a lot to our residents, this Christmas is going to be a different one.’

Ellie Jay Jaundrill has been living at St Monica’s House in Lucknow Street since March with her two-year-old daughter Ivy and has been enjoying meals with her fellow residents.

The 19-year-old said: ‘It’s a nice setting, we’re all in the same boat and we all mix with each other. It’s a different mix of people in here, people that you wouldn’t normally mix with.’

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Having lived in Somers Road Hostel for a number of years, Jade Moth and Steph Watson are looking forward to their Christmas tradition of pooling the vouchers to put on a Christmas dinner with their fellow residents.

Jade, 26, describes herself as ‘part of the furniture’ after living in the hostel for six years after becoming homeless.

The women and families supported by the charity and the Salvation Army are taught life skills including budgeting, cooking and childcare, and there are staff members on call to help out when needed.

Volunteer peer support worker Jade said: ‘If we need something doing, they’ll do it straight away. They’re great at encouraging us if we want to do something.

‘It’s really nice to think there are kind hearts out there to help other people. It restores your faith in humanity.’

Christmas spirit is needed ‘more than ever’ after this tough year, added 29-year-old Steph.

HOW TO HELP

To get involved with the voucher scheme, simply buy a Christmas card and write a message, without including your name and address, and purchase a gift voucher of £5 to put inside the card.

Do not seal the envelope, and place the Christmas card into one of the festive postboxes in the area which can be found at Tesco stores in Havant, Fratton, Gosport and Portsmouth’s Crasswell Street.

Alternatively, send a gift card, cash or cheque payable to St Mary’s Church in the post to St Mary’s Vicarage, Fratton Road, Portsmouth, PO1 5PA or hand in at St Mary’s Church any morning between 9am and midday.

The deadline for receiving donations on December 18, after which time the donations will be distributed to the good causes.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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