An editor helped out at a homeless shelter thanks to an initiative by her newspapers’ owner.

Kimberley Barber, Newsquest’s regional editor for its Hampshire titles, spent time at Winchester Beacon as part of a scheme that allows the publisher’s staff to be paid for a full day spent at a charity, organisation or good cause on their patch.

During her time at the shelter, Kimberley helped to clean, defrost and organise the freezers used to provide free hot meals to residents.

She also undertook some admin work and met some of the volunteers and workers “who make the place tick”.

Kimberley Barber helps out at the shelter

In a first-person piece about her experience for the Hampshire Chronicle, one of the titles she edits, Kimberley wrote: “After speaking to the Beacon for several stories already this year, and the fact that it may be one of the closest charities to our office, operating, like us, right in the heart of Winchester, it was an obvious choice.

“Homelessness is a big issue for the city, a short walk around the city centre will show anyone that it’s a problem that needs urgent attention.”

She added: “The centre is an excellent example of Winchester showing that it cares, and volunteering here is a proactive way of doing something about an issue that most of us see every single day.”