WI Notes
Have you ever driven into Cambridge of an evening between 6.30 and 7, and have
you ever wondered why men were sitting on the steps of the Zion Baptist Chapel
in East Road?
This is the venue of Jimmy's Night Shelter for the homeless. It was started ten years ago by Richard Howlett who discovered Jimmy living amongst a group of trees at junction 13 on the M11. Richard and his wife Joan were able to raise sufficient funds to set up the shelter in the basement of the old building. It was renovated, and bedrooms, a large lounge, diner-kitchen, quiet room and all the necessary facilities were built.
It caters for 25 men and 6 women a night and over the past 10 years 3,000 guests have been catered for. Some stay only one right, some stay for months. The shelter opens at 7p.m., a three course dinner is provided, and next morning a full English breakfast before it closes at 930a.m. And it is all free. There are 14 members of staff and 200 volunteers. Funding comes from various grants and voluntary contributions.
Richard and Joan are truly dedicated people who look after all their guests needs and give them as much help as they can to get back into a mainstream way of life.
On 18th July we shall enjoy our usual summer party, this year Lis Lewis's Late Late Lunch at the Old School House, Mutton Lane.