NEWCASTLE KITCHEN DIARY

17th July 2011

Trustees:         Carl, Sheila,

Volunteers:      Norma, Phil,

Visitors:           Sonny, Wendy, Richard,

Attendance:     62

 

It was a busy kitchen considering the weather we had experienced all day. While there were big black clouds overhead the rain stayed over during the time of the kitchen.

 

I did not have much time to circulate this week as on arrival we noticed a mother with her three children sitting just outside the car park perimeter. I went to see if they needed anything and although the mother Lisa did not want any food the children; Liam, Nicky and Kieran had some crumble and custard. They all had a hot drink. They had to leave their home due to problems with the neighbours and Lisa had the option of putting the children into care until they were re-housed or moving to Pitt Street. They have been in Pitt Street 6 weeks and hope to move to High Denton which is where Liam goes to high school shortly. This area of Newcastle is not great and the sooner the children can be moved the better.

 

The young couple who are expecting a baby have managed to get into Elliott House. This is their second child.  The first baby lives with her mother and unless they can get themselves into some home of their own it is likely that they will have to give this baby up too. This is one of the harder parts of working with those on the streets (or in hostels) when we have to stand by and watch them go through such heartache. Keira and Tom have still not got their baby Darren to live with them yet.

 

We had one new lad who was very bitter about his situation. He has been on the streets for 4 years and thought the kitchens should only be for the actual homeless. I explained that we provided food for anyone who had a need and would not discriminate. He also complained that the tins and pot noodles etc., which the church Kevin and Ruth attend provide, were a waste of time because he didn’t have a tin opener or access to hot water. I said he didn’t have to take them but he passed up the offer of giving them to someone else and said he would just have them. This attitude is the exception rather than the rule thankfully and I did suggest that he goes back to Newcastle housing with a better attitude and they might be more inclined to help.

 

There were some new faces who are living on the streets and we were able to give them some of the bedding we had received.

 

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

 

Sheila Heron