Update - Update  - Update
We have had a letter confirming that our welfare team will not be given notice on 31st March. This is a relief for everyone. We're still asking questions though about our security and safety under the proposed new plans to remove registered care & reduce our wonderful welfare team from 18 to just 5. Your support here is hugely appreciated by everyone. Thank you all. 

HUGE UPDATE: We have formally challenged the Board!
Good morning everyone,
We have some major news. This morning, the St John’s Action Group officially served a formal letter of objection to the Board of Trustees.
We didn't just send it to the Charity—we have copied in Danny Chambers MP, our Winchester Ward Councillors, and the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Why now?
Because we have learned that the Board plans to issue redundancy notices to our vital welfare staff on 31st March—two days before their own consultation even ends. This is a 'sham' consultation, and we are firmly requesting that it be halted immediately.
We have raised serious concerns about:
The 70% cut to our support staff.
The lack of safety and risk assessments.
The removal of 24/7 human oversight for 80+ vulnerable residents.
The clock is now ticking. We have requested a formal response by Friday, 27th March.
Thank you for every signature and share. You are helping us prove that the residents of St John’s cannot be ignored. Please keep sharing this petition—we need to show the Board that the whole of Winchester is watching!"

As residents at St John's Almshouses in Winchester, we are deeply concerned about proposed changes that would deregulate our domiciliary care service. This move threatens the invaluable support provided by our current welfare team, whose presence has been a cornerstone of our community's well-being and sense of stability.

The welfare staff at St John's Almshouses are more than just caregivers; they are an irreplaceable part of our lives. They offer not only essential daily assistance but also emotional support and companionship that greatly enhance our quality of life. The proposed deregulation  and reduction of staff numbers risks dismantling this vital support system, leaving residents vulnerable and without the comprehensive care that we rely upon.

In recent years, the importance of maintaining high standards in welfare services, especially for the elderly and those in need of additional support, has been highlighted repeatedly. Studies have consistently shown that sustained and personalised care significantly improves the health and satisfaction of residents in similar facilities. By retaining our current welfare staff, we can ensure that these services remain effective, professional, and tailored to the specific needs of each resident.

We urge the St John's Almshouse Winchester Board of Trustees to reconsider their decision. Instead of dismantling an efficient and compassionate care model, they have the opportunity to continue a long tradition of caregiving by showing that they value the well-being of their residents above all.

Please join us in supporting this cause. Your signature will not only help preserve the high standard of care currently available but also send a strong message to the Trustees that the voices and needs of residents should be at the heart of any decision.

Sign this petition to help protect a dedicated team and to ensure the continued delivery of exceptional care at St John's Almshouses.