Southampton Quakers are set to share their meeting house with a charity.

The Quakers have signed an agreement to share the building with the Society of St James (SSJ).

The SSJ will have access to the meeting house throughout the working week, starting from today.

The Quakers will continue to use the space for their usual Sunday meetings. Long-term room hirings will also remain as they were.

The Quakers stated that the arrangement reflects their "deep concern for the welfare of some of the most deprived people in our city." They added it would be a "responsible use" of their resources.

The Society of St James is dedicated to ending homelessness on an individual basis.

They do this by providing services that help people find accommodation and access wellbeing services, recover from trauma, and find work.

SSJ Academy will use the meeting house during the week to deliver workshops that develop life skills, confidence, trust, and self-esteem.

The academy supports the goal of ending homelessness by addressing the physical, mental, and social needs of people experiencing homelessness.

The Quakers expressed gratitude for the SSJ's "great expertise and experience" in managing and maintaining the building.