Jimmy’s Cambridge is marking 30 years of service to the homeless community by thanking supporters over the last three decades and inviting participation in various events lined up for 2025.
Jimmy’s Cambridge was inspired by Jim Dilley, who spent much of his life sleeping rough.
Jimmy’s Cambridge celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025, from left Richard Howlett, Ken Williams, Natasha Davies, Deb Smith and Cat Strawbridge. Picture: Keith Heppell
In the last few years of his life, ‘home’ for Jim was under the bridge at Junction 13 of the M11. That bridge is still represented in Jimmy’s logo. Shortly after his death in 1995, the doors of Jimmy’s Night Shelter were opened in his honour. It was the first such organisation in the city.
“We want to take this year to say thank you to everyone who has made Jimmy’s what it is now in 2025,” said a spokesperson for the East Road-based charity. “The City of Cambridge is an amazing place to be and we are grateful to our community for helping us break the cycle of homelessness.”
The spokesperson continued: “The truth is, we would all hope that our services were no longer needed 30 years on from opening, but sadly the need is more prevalent than ever. A recent survey from Shelter said that homelessness in East Anglia was up 20 per cent in 2024 and we know that at any time in Cambridge there are sadly between 20 and 30 people sleeping rough.
Jimmy’s Cambridge marks its 30th anniversary Pictures: Keith Heppell
“Having said that, we do want to take this occasion to celebrate all the people who have supported us over the years. From founders to staff, volunteers and supporters. And our residents, so many of whom have walked through our doors at their most vulnerable but have managed to turn their lives around and have moved on to more independent and fulfilled lives! There are of course those who haven’t been quite ready, but our doors are always open. And we remember those we have sadly lost along the way.”
Jimmy’s Cambridge has helped an estimated 1 million people in the last 30 years, providing half a million bed spaces and serving 1 million meals. The charity supports the homeless with life skills services including mental health concerns, addiction recovery and accessing health services.
Assistance with housing includes 25 single person en-suite bedrooms for people who would otherwise be sleeping rough, supported housing and modular homes which offer a starting point for living an independent life.
Jimmy’s Cambridge modular homes on Janet Jones Walk, Cambridge
In 2019, in one of the first projects of its kind in the UK, Jimmy’s launched a set of modular homes for people who have been rough sleeping and who would benefit from their own, self-contained accommodation, backed up with wraparound support from a dedicated team of support workers. The homes were designed and built over nine months by a team including Allia Future Business Centre, New Meaning and Jimmy’s Cambridge.
Chief executive Natasha Davies said: “Jimmy’s 30 years on has evolved to support increased and more complex demand.
“Our services have grown and expanded to meet the need. What has not changed is what is at the fundamental core of Jimmy’s: people who care deeply, who want the best for others and are willing to offer and support not just second chances, but third, fourth, fifth, however many it takes. We have never given up on anyone, and we never will.”