Cambridge homeless charity 'always adapting' to climate change test
Its boss wants to see more measures put in place when it eventually moves to a new home
The boss of a Cambridge charity that helps rough sleepers off our streets has said services like them must be ready to adapt to climate change.
It comes as the Environment Agency declared East Anglia as officially in drought after very low rainfall and high temperatures.
"We need to have a sustainable building that we potentially have air conditioning in; we don't have air conditioning at the moment," Natasha Davies, CEO at Jimmy's Cambridge, said.
"(We should also) think about those day services we can offer that maybe support people in that way in terms of sheltering from the most extreme weather."
Heat as dangerous as cold
Jimmy's manages 47 homes in Cambridge which they use to house rough sleepers in the city.
In its impact report for last year, the charity helped 33 people into independent accommodation and supported 250 people, such as offering sleeping bags and reducing isolation.
It also provides shelter at its current East Road site for homeless people in extremely hot or cold weather.
"I can't imagine being out there in minus five sleeping in a shop doorway; I equally can't imagine spending my time wandering around in the hottest part of the day when it's 35, 40 degrees out there." Ms Davies said.
"It's just as dangerous in the heat as it is in the cold.
"(We offer) sun hats, sun protection factor, or we can open the doors when safe to do so to allow people to just rest from the heat; it is super challenging, but we're not just an accommodation provider, we're here to provide support for as many people who need it."
'We're always adapting'
Earlier this month, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) warned homelessness in England could rise by 25% if action from the Government isn't taken.
The Government said it's investing £3.6 billion to end homelessness by providing “more supported housing, stopping the unlawful use of B&Bs for families, and halving long term rough sleeping."
Jimmy's - which says it gave 40,000 meals in 2025 - is looking for a new home as the lease on its East Road site runs out in 2032.
Ms Davies wants the new facility to offer support for at least 25 people - same as it's currently offering - including bedrooms, communal areas and NHS services.
But with the threat of climate change needing to be tackled, she is confident that challenge as well as the issue of homelessness can be met.
"No two stories are the same, so we have to treat everybody as individuals," she added.
"We're always adapting, seeing something new or a new challenge and we're always rising to meet it, so we are well positioned to be able to answer that call."