NEWCASTLE KITCHEN DIARY

15th May 2011

Trustees:         Carl, Sheila,

Volunteers:      Phil,  Norma, Tony, Rebecca

Visitors:           Jim, Janet, Sonny, George, Ruth, Kevin, Richard , Wendy

Attendance:     71

 

A busy kitchen this week and there was a good atmosphere. We were grateful for the extra visitors who helped put the clothes out, which had been donated, and talking to those coming along for food.

 

Lorraine was at the kitchen this week, having celebrated her 30^th birthday again! She had obviously been in a fight during the week as her face was all cut and bruised. Having lost 2 of her close friends to overdoses it is probable that she will be the next one. She has a serious alcohol problem.

 

Rob has been coming to the kitchen for a while. He was kicked out of his home by his partner in 2009 and it has taken him until this year to get back on track. After living on the streets he has now got a flat and a part time job cleaning at Debenhams. He was a bit down as he had received an eviction notice from the council as the benefit agency had not paid his rent. He doesn’t know what has happened so is hoping to sort it out this week.

 

John (Errol Flynn) was at the kitchen looking very clean and tidy. He is an elderly gentleman who ended up on the streets because of an alcohol addiction. He can be loud and quite bitter but last night he was in a good mood. He had brought some photographs of him taken a few years ago and the difference was remarkable.

 

Nigel was having problems with IBS and has had a few bad weeks. The alcohol wont be helping and he realises this but cant stop.

 

Daniel (the young one) was very cheerful (the bottle of wine obviously helped!) and entertained us with the songs from the Sound of Music. Daniel self harms but for the past 2 months he has not harmed himself.

 

At the end of the kitchen it was great to see Sean. He had been arrested 2 weeks ago at the kitchen but they had released him without charge when he had calmed down. He was very apologetic. He looked well and clean and so it is possible that he has somewhere to stay rather than just on the streets.

 

Malcolm, our vegetarian friend, was delighted that I had taken him a cheese pasty which he put between two slices of bread! It is difficult knowing what to take for our one vegetarian friend.

 

The two visitors, Richard and Wendy, had come along after hearing about the work from Jim. Richard works at Emmanuel College and Wendy is a community youth worker. They hope to come back next week and are going to be in touch with Carl to see how they can help.

 

As always your prayers for the work in general are greatly appreciated.

 

Sheila Heron