For those rough sleeping in the winter, being exposed to freezing temperatures can be extremely dangerous. When the body is exposed to freezing temperatures, it can develop hypothermia, which occurs when the body’s core temperature drops. When this happens, the heart, nervous system and other organs can’t work as well as they usually do. Left untreated, hypothermia can cause the heart and respiratory system to fail and eventually can lead to death.
Jimmy’s is open 24/7, 365 days of the year but when the temperature drops we open up even more space we can help people off the streets. Whilst our usual accommodation consists of single occupancy rooms, during Severe Weather Emergency Protocol, or SWEP as it’s known, we create a dormitory style space in an area of our 451 hostel because our primary goal of protecting the lives of people experiencing homelessness is the most important thing!
This week temperatures in Cambridge have dropped dramatically which means SWEP has been activated. We are grateful to be able to offer even more people temporary shelter, food, and support until a suitable future support plan is in place but we can only do this and more because of your support.
Will you donate so we can do as much as possible to get more people off the streets this Winter?