If you would like to stay at Jimmy’s, you are advised to come to
the Shelter at 6 pm.
A project worker will take your name and advise you as soon as possible
if a bed space is available. Unfortunately, on occasion, you may have to
wait until 7.30pm before we can confirm whether or not there is a bed.
If we have no spaces, we can offer you a blanket.
Do not give up! Please try again the following evening when we may have
a space.
If we do have a bed for you, we will invite you into the Shelter once
most of the regular guests arrive at 7pm. Since we have a policy to
search for illegal drugs, alcohol and dangerous weapons, take this time
to check your possessions for items you may wish to dispose of yourself,
hand into the office for safe-keeping or ask staff to dispose of. Once
in the Shelter, the project staff will check for restricted and banned
items. You will then be free to have a hot drink and a meal before we
embark on the paperwork.
You will be asked to complete a Short Housing Benefit form, with the
assistance of a project worker. It is helpful if we can see your Benefit
Book to assess the amount and type of benefit you receive, and any proof
of identification. (Housing Benefit is paid directly to the Night
Shelter and does not affect individual benefits). The first working day
after your arrival you will be asked to take any proof of benefits and
identification to the Housing Benefit office. They will issue you with a
receipt which you are asked to bring back to Jimmy’s the next evening.
Of course, we appreciate that not everyone can immediately prove their
ID and benefit, and you will be given time and assistance to do so.
Benefit will only be claimed for the nights when you are actually at the
Night Shelter.
Minimum information required for the Housing Benefit application is:
Name
Date of birth
National Insurance number (NINo)
Income
Start date of claim
We will also ask you to complete a form that provides anonymous
information that helps with monitoring statistics for one of our funders.
It is not compulsory for you to provide this information. We will also
ask you for information about your health (physical and mental),
medication and any substance or alcohol problems. This information is of
course confidential and would only be used if you became ill and we
needed to advise the emergency services.
Once we have explained the rules and you agree to stay at Jimmy’s, we
will completed any paperwork, explain services we offer to guests and
discuss your particular needs. After a short tour of the Shelter, you
will be given items you need to make your stay more comfortable, such as
toiletries and clothing, and shown your bed and locker.
Rest assured that all information discussed with the project worker on
your arrival remains confidential within the team, except with your
express prior permission.
'Your length of stay is dependent on the
'Local Connections' policy operated by Cambridge at the time. At April
2008, there is no limit if you have a local connection with Cambridge
(see
http://www.cambridge.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/housing/homelessness/ for
further detail),
but it is expected that you will work with Jimmy’s and other relevant
agencies to secure more suitable, long-term accommodation. If you do
not have a local connection, your position will be reviewed after 14
days, and your stay may be extended if, for example, you can show you
are engaging with relevant agencies. Jimmy's will work with you to
ensure that you are put in contact with appropriate outreach,
accommodation, health or statutory organisations to ensure your stay at
the Night Shelter is not put at risk, and you have a better opportunity
of moving on to more secure accommodation.
Alternative Cambridge Contacts
