With rough sleeping up by 26% in England, Jimmy’s Cambridge opens the doors to 5 brand new bedrooms meaning they can welcome even more people off the streets in 2023.
On Thursday 27th April we were delighted to officially open five brand new rooms at our East Road hostel. Joined by a wonderful group of people including our contractors and builders, corporate and community partners plus Jimmy’s staff, volunteers and trustees the ribbon was cut by The Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Julie Spence OBE CStJ QPM.
Jimmy’s Cambridge looked ahead and, against a backdrop of the cost of living crisis and The Department of Levelling Up, Communities and Housing confirming rough sleeping is up by over a quarter, are ready to support even more people experiencing homelessness in Cambridge.
The 5 new bedrooms, each with private bathrooms, were opened by The Lord Lieutenant of Cambridge, Julie Spence OBE CStJ QPM and Barry Griffiths who is an ex Jimmy’s resident and current staff member celebrating 10 years helping people out of homelessness.
Within the new bedrooms, there is a fully accessible suite allowing access for people with mobility needs. This will now allow Jimmy’s to provide emergency shelter, food, clothing, tailored support to 25 individuals at their East Road hostel.
The project has been generously supported by the Cambridge community as well as Curo Construction, Wrenbridge, WSP, Barton Wilmore, CMP, Forsters and Stace.
“Having been fortunate to be offered a bed in 2010, Jimmy’s was my salvation. This extra capacity represents more than just 5 rooms. It’s more opportunities for people to feel safe and secure, to regroup and then move forward with support. It wasn’t and isn’t an easy time of life when on the streets, but with these further rooms we are able work toward what success looks like for the individuals who need them. Jimmy’s is and always will be more than a bed.” – Barry Griffiths
A huge thank you to all of our supporters.