Winchester Beacon opens new shower units for residents

The Winchester Beacon on Jewry Street unveiled the new bathrooms, each containing a shower, toilet and sink on Tuesday, December 19. The eight bathrooms replace a communal shower area that was previously used by residents.

A new accessible bathroom has also been constructed, and one of the shower units is connected to a bedroom as an ensuite.

Rev'd Catherine Ogle cutting the ribbon on the new showers (Image: Chris Atkinson)The project to construct the new showers was funded by CRASH charity and its patrons, the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Hampshire County Council and the National Lottery Community Fund.

The Hampshire Chronicle has also contributed to the project, donating £500 last year as part of the Cash for Charities campaign.

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Winchester Beacon CEO Michèle Price told the Chronicle: “I am absolutely thrilled. We could not have done it without the help of the organisations who have helped to fund us and have provided their expertise.

“It has taken about three years for the project to be completed, and it gives the residents staying with us dignity and privacy to do what they need to do.

“We have ended up with eight of the best shower pods possible. Thank you to the organisations who helped us and our staff for being so great.”

One of the new showers (Image: Chris Atkinson)The new showers were officially opened by a patron of the charity, the Dean of Winchester Rev Catherine Ogle, who gave a short blessing to the new facilities as well as a “ceremonial flush”.

She said: “The amazing thing about the Beacon is all the teamwork that takes place here. It is the result of all these people coming together for the greater good and it is really important.”

Alongside the new showers, a plaque commemorating the event was also unveiled.