NEWCASTLE KITCHEN DIARY

11th March 2012

Trustees:         Carl, Sheila

Volunteers:      Phil, Rebecca, Wendy, Richard, Kiera

Visitors:           Jim, Djdusey (2 friends of Jim)

Attendance:    49

 

It was good to get back to the Newcastle kitchen after three months absence.

 

It was good to see many of the regulars and also some new faces.

 

Errol was in a poor way. He had been doing so well before Christmas and had managed to get into Elliot House however, someone attacked him on New Years Eve and he retaliated and got arrested. He is in court today (Monday 12^th) and is expecting to get a short prison sentence. He has been so down since New Year with this hanging over him that he has started drinking again and last week got thrown out of the hostel so he is back on the streets. Errol used to be a college lecturer in English history but alcohol lead to his downfall. He is fed up of having his sleeping bags and goods stolen while on the streets and lives in fear of attack every night he lies down. In one way he is hoping they will send him to jail as he will be looked after there. Errol is one of our elderly gentlemen and throughout his years on the streets has never had a social worker to help him.

 

Sarah and Ted are a young couple who are 17. They have just moved into the Triangle (formerly The Foyer) hostel. Neither of them have any work although Ted is trying to get an apprenticeship. They have only been in this situation for a couple of weeks and so far are finding it alright although they were grateful for some tinned food they were able to take away.

 

Doug is continuing to manage well. He was very appreciative of the bed we were able to give him and has almost finished getting his flat sorted, with the help of his aunt.

 

Greg is back on the streets. He is one of the most positive people I have ever met, as he says if he is still alive that’s a positive. He was having a lot of bother with drug addicts in his flat so feels safer on the streets. He is going to play chess this week and enjoys bridge, although he never gambles.

 

As you will appreciate much of the evening was spent comparing “war wounds” especially with one young gave who gave a full detailed medical history of every plate in his body. Amazingly he is still walking and alive!

 

As always your prayers are greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Sheila Heron