On arrival at the Night Shelter many guests are cold and wet. They have very few items of good quality clothing and usually nothing in the way of toiletries. We aim to provide these items and all meals free of charge, therefore donations of the following goods are always gratefully received, as they are frequently in short supply:
Toiletries
Shampoo, disposable razors, shaving foam, shower gel, spray deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, flannels, toiletry bags, combs/hair brushes, nail clippers, sanitary items and hair bands for the women, toilet rolls.
Clothing
New items of men’s and women's underwear and socks, hats, scarves and gloves for the winter months, warm coats and jackets, boots and shoes, trousers – in particular jeans (sizes 30” to 38”, all leg lengths) and jogging bottoms, thermal vests, T-shirts, sweatshirts and jumpers.
Please only donate clothing that is in good condition and if items could be cleaned prior to delivery that would be very much appreciated.
Bedding
Blankets and sleeping bags are given out to anyone we are unable to offer a bed to and who may be forced to sleep rough on the streets.
Donations of single fitted sheets, single duvets and covers, pillows and pillowcases are always welcomed for the Shelter, as are towels, tea towels and fabric aprons.
We do not accept feather pillows, quilts, or duvets due to health and safety reasons.
Food and Consumables
Tea, coffee (instant and filter/ground), drinking chocolate, squash, soup (dried and tinned), cereals, sugar, table salt and pepper, cooking salt, sauces (tomato and brown), salad cream, vinegar, cooking oil, margarine/butter, Bovril, Oxo, Marmite, peanut butter, jam, jelly crystals, custard powder, gravy granules, flour, eggs, bacon, pasta, rice, meat (tinned and fresh), rice pudding, milk, evaporated milk, Angel Delight, cream, tinned vegetables (peas, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, mixed vegetables, runner and broad beans) and fresh produce, frozen pastry, biscuits and fruit (tinned and fresh).
Airtight storage boxes, plastic mixing bowls and measuring jugs, sharp knives, catering size pans, aluminium foil, cling-film and freezer bags.
We do not accept out-of-date food in compliance with environmental health regulations.
Cleaning items
The Shelter is cleaned many times during the course of a day. In the region of £300.00 is spent on cleaning equipment and products every month. Any of the items below are also very useful to give out to ex-guests to use in their own homes, including cleaning equipment such as mops, buckets, dustpans and brushes, brooms etc.
Dusters, Vileda cloths, scourers, black bin bags, washing-up liquid, washing powder, anti-bacterial hand soap, plug-in air fresheners, oven cleaner, rubber gloves, multi-surface cleaner, bleach and toilet cleaner.
Miscellaneous
Cotton wool balls, sun-tan lotion and after sun, plasters, individual
packs of paper tissues, handkerchiefs and ear plugs, shoe polish and
brushes.
Household Equipment and Furniture
At present we have limited storage facilities for household equipment and no storage for furniture on the premises, but there are occasions when our guests move out of Jimmy’s into their own accommodation and are in desperate need of household equipment and furniture in order to establish their home. If you have any white goods (fridges, freezers, washing machines, microwaves, cookers), kitchen and household equipment such as crockery, cutlery, bedding, curtains and net, vacuum cleaners, televisions, irons or toasters etc or items of furniture (bookcases, sofas, dining and coffee tables, chairs), then please telephone in advance to enquire whether Jimmy’s is in a position to accept your donation or email support@jimmysnightshelter.org.uk Donated items can then be taken directly to a new home. We only accept electrical items in good working order.
We also welcome donations of computing equipment for our ex-guests
to use in their own homes.
Sport
Many of our guests actively participate in sporting activities during the day with a member of staff. Donations of shorts, jogging bottoms, trainers, football boots, tennis, badminton and squash rackets, golf balls, shuttlecocks and tennis balls are always welcome.
Pets
Many dogs have been resident at the Shelter with their owners over the years. We like to provide dog food, biscuits and treats for them to ensure that they remain fit and healthy as well as their owners.
Student May Balls and End of Term
Jimmy’s is very happy to accept left over food from May Balls and also when students go down at the end of term any packaged and unopened food. Many of the Christian and Student Unions organise boxes in College Porters’ Lodges for the deposit of such items. Please contact the relevant union for further information and advice.
Harvest
At harvest time many schools and churches donate their harvest festival produce to Jimmy’s. These vegetables and fresh garden produce are very gratefully received, as they sustain the Shelter over the winter period. A very busy time ensues, when volunteers prepare the vegetables for blanching and freezing. We rely greatly on such donations to offset our housekeeping costs of £800.00 spent on food every month. We also accept any items from the food list.
Easter
Throughout Easter our guests enjoy hot cross buns with lashings of butter and on Easter Sunday a traditional roast dinner is served.
Christmas
Jimmy’s is continually on the lookout for organisations and individuals, that are able to help out at Christmas time, whether it be donations either in cash, or kind, or practical hands-on assistance. We aim to plan in advance for the Christmas period as it is an extremely busy time at the Shelter. Like any other home, we try to make the Christmas holiday period a happy and memorable event for our guests at Jimmy’s. In the preceding weeks the staff wrap presents for the guests, while day time volunteers help put up the tree and hang decorations. Our cook starts preparing the vegetables, defrosting the turkeys and preparing seasonal menus. Each year we like to give all our guests a pillowcase full of presents to open on Christmas Day. In 2004, with your help, we were able to buy fleece coats for each guest and a portable CD player or radio. As you can imagine this proves to be quite costly, therefore any donations would be gratefully received. Alternatively, if you would like to purchase presents for our guests, please find below a shopping list of items to assist you. Please do not wrap any gifts as this will help us to ensure that the same person does not receive items in duplicate. From what our guests have told us in previous years, the effort has been appreciated and worthwhile when, for a few days, our guests can put their problems to one side and join the celebrations.
Christmas Gifts
Playstation 2 games, new packs of cards, lighters, tobacco, cigarette papers, small torches, AA batteries, chocolate, biscuits and sweets, watches, individual reading lights, disposable cameras, computer CD’s suitable for downloading music, headphones, pens, notepads, booklets, puzzle books, games, as well as items of new clothing and toiletries (see list) plus special treats like aftershave for the men and cosmetics for the women.
For the first time in 2003 gifts were purchased for all the people that are supported in their own accommodation, in particular items for the home. If sufficient funding is received, we would like to do this each Christmas.
Unlike the rest of the year, Jimmy’s stays open over the Christmas period, usually opening early on Christmas Eve at about 3.00 pm, open all of Christmas Day and Boxing Day and closes at 11.00 am the day after Boxing Day. The Shelter also opens early on New Year’s Eve, remains open New Year’s Day and closes early on the 2 January. Members of staff and volunteers give their time freely to cover this period to enable the Shelter to open for longer hours. As you can imagine this is a heavy burden on our resources, therefore if anyone would like to help us by volunteering over Christmas we would welcome your assistance. Please refer to the volunteering page for information detailing the role of a volunteer and how to sign-up.
Jimmy’s is particularly grateful to receive festive food donations. A traditional Christmas dinner is served with all the trimmings (Turkey (fresh or frozen), gammon, joints of pork/beef, sausages, bacon, stuffing, bread sauce mix, mince pies, Christmas pudding, cream, fresh or frozen vegetables) and buffet/finger food is available throughout the day for guests to help themselves. Right the way through the festive season fried breakfasts are served which comprise bacon, egg, baked beans, tomatoes, sausages, mushrooms etc. Therefore, if you are able to assist us with any of the above items these would be very well received.
Board games are also appreciated to entertain our guests over Christmas
as well as Christmas crackers and decorations to enhance the Shelter.
We have been very fortunate to receive in the past donations of rolls
of wrapping paper and sellotape and blank Christmas cards and envelopes
for guests to send to relatives and friends.
We hope this gives you plenty of ideas, but please do not hesitate to
contact us if you require any further information.
Delivery Details
If you are able to assist us in any way whatsoever we
will be very pleased to hear from you. On occasions we are able to
collect items from you, please telephone to enquire. The Shelter is
open for the delivery of non-perishable items such as clothing and
toiletries between the hours of 10.00 am to 5.00 pm and is open till
11.30 pm for the
delivery of perishable items such as food. Please park in Bradmore Street,
or if there is a free bay, in Bradmore Lane behind the Church, then
walk round to Jimmy’s front door on East Road and press the buzzer
for assistance. If there is no reply the housekeeper can be contacted
by telephone on 516054. It is extremely helpful to Jimmy’s if
you telephone in advance to notify the housekeeper that you are coming
with a donation.
