Jimmy's Night Shelter

I volunteered at Jimmy's Night Shelter last night for the first time. Jimmy’s is open every night of the year, welcoming 25 men and six women (and two dogs) to a place of warmth and safety. They provide food, shelter, care, and community to men and women, aged between 18 and 65, who would otherwise be forced to sleep rough or inappropriate or in inadequate conditions. Some of the guests have spent years sleeping in shop doorways, on park benches, under bushes, on roadsides. Others have become homeless more recently and are little prepared for nights out in the cold. Some have spent weeks or months sleeping on friends’ floors or settees, or have spent time in bed and breakfast accommodation.

Jimmy’s works with many other organisations to try and find the best solutions for their guests needs: whether a more permanent address, support with substance dependencies, making contact with families, looking after physical health, finding out more about job or study opportunities, or managing mental health problems.

Needless to say, it was an eye opening experience. Most of those staying there right now are not much older than me. They say it goes in waves for the ages they have. It only seemed like a few were there due to mental illness. It seems drug and alcohol abuse is the main reason. I even met one man who had an American accent! He said he was from Cape Cod, but he also said he was a Rockefeller so who knows.

We helped serve dinner and then cleaned up afterwords. Everyone was very polite and thanked us for their meal. Two of the guys even gave us candy! I worked with two other young ladies, Kate and Katrina. Kate is a student teacher and Katrina is a travel agent. They both work all day and then come in once a week or every couple weeks to volunteer. They both have been doing it for over a year! I don't know when I'll be volunteering again yet, but hopefully it will be in the next couple weeks.