NEWCASTLE KITCHEN DIARY

18th September 2011

Trustees:         Carl, Sheila,

Volunteers:      Rebecca, Phil, Norma

Visitors:           Jim, Sonny, Wendy, Richard

Attendance:     64

 

It was a very busy kitchen again with a lot of new faces.

 

Again we were met with the news of deaths among those on the streets. When the nights start getting darker and the weather changes depression becomes heightened and many feel they can no longer cope. We were also told that they had heard stories that Sarah had jumped off the bridge. Sarah has been coming a long time, with Dee, and we would be really upset if this story was true.

 

One of the older guys had been beaten up and it looked like his arm was broken. Jim was taking him to the RVI after the kitchen.

 

6 arrived as we were packing up at 9 who had been told that we started at 9. We have updated the times on literature numerous times but it looks like some old literature is still being given out by other organisations. We will continue to try and rectify this problem.

 

It was good to see Jeannie back although she had aged so much in such a short time. She has only been to the kitchen once since Christmas, when her grandson was found dead from an overdose and his girlfriend had a still born baby a few days after because of the shock. She has moved to Whitley Bay to be near her daughter and has just started counselling. She has had three sessions and is finding them useful.

 

Carl and Tonya are hoping to get a flat today. Carl has been on the streets for a long time and sleeps alongside Chris, for safety. Tonya is at home with her family. Carl has been in prison in the past but has stayed out of trouble since 2009.

 

Stewie, who is one of our regulars, brought Tracy to the kitchen. She first met Stewie when she saw him and some of his mates living on the streets. She got talking to him and has kept in touch. When he and his mates got a flat she helped them move in. She found it difficult to comprehend how they were homeless and their need for alcohol when they had no food. Stewie brought her along so she could see what it was like and the work we did. She is hoping to volunteer with the Peoples Kitchen but would ideally like to work on the streets so is going to have a meeting with Carl.

 

Sean was at the kitchen again but was quite subdued. He had been beaten up again and was sporting a black eye.

 

Alli and Paul took an old hoover that we had for their flat and as she only takes a size 1 shoe was delighted when a pair of brand new trainers received from the police was a size 2.5. She is going to fill them out with socks! 

 

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

 

Sheila Heron