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THE PEOPLE'S KITCHEN

SOUP KITCHEN | Homeless men get a crucial lifeline at the People's Kitchen

INTERVIEW WITHE THE PEOPLE'S KITCHEN

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Homelessness is a familiar and depressing feature of our streets. One charity in Newcastle is tackling the problem with a food 'shelter' called the People's Kitchen.

Imagine being on the streets without a home and with no shelter, central heating or home comforts. It's one of the most harrowing things that can happen to any of us.

Homelessness is a major problem in Britain's cities. Worse still, it has been increasing at an alarming rate over the last decade.

Shelter estimates that there are now more than 440,000 homeless people in England, some of whom live rough.

On the streets

Every day in every city, we scuttle past homeless bodies huddled in dark shop doorways and alleyways.

The homeless rely on all the help they can get at the People's Kitchen

So what's it like to be down and out on the streets?

In the North East, the problem is acute with more than 21,000 people without a home.

People lose their home for a variety of reasons.

Some have been thrown out or leave because of violence. Others have drug or alcohol problems. Many have simply fallen on hard times.

Fortunately there is one beacon of hope where help is on hand - the People's Kitchen in Newcastle city centre.

Sleeping rough

The People's Kitchen was started in 1985 by Alison Kay. She was so moved by the story of an unidentified man being found dead under a bush in the city that she decided to do something to help rough sleepers.

Under the arches - the soup kitchen provides food on the streets

After talking to homeless people, and liaising with the Police and Social Services, she inaugurated the very first People's Kitchen.

One night, Alison, complete with tea flasks and sandwiches, started dispensing food and drinks from under the railway arches on Dean Street in Newcastle.

The tradition continues but the organisation has grown significantly since then.

The People's Kitchen opened an indoor canteen in 1994 before moving to its current home - in a former Christian Science Church on Bath Lane a couple of years ago.

An oasis of peace

Fifteen years on, the People's Kitchen remains true to its principles, providing "friendship and food".

The homeless get food and friendship at the People's Kitchen three nights a week

"A lot of people come here to have a gossip with other people, and a chat with us," says volunteer Joe Collins.

"They come here to talk about their problems and find a little oasis of peace."

The Kitchen gives out free clothing and food, and provides a listening ear.

"Homelessness is a vicious circle, one that I hoped I would never get into," says one rough sleeper.

He says that the People's Kitchen has given him a valuable lifeline. "It's a place where if you're hungry, you can get something to eat".

"People try to help you. If you're depressed, they talk to you."

Falling off the edge

Inside Out asked top restauranteur Eugene McCoy to look behind the scenes of the People's Kitchen for himself.

Eugene McCoy and People's Kitchen volunteers cook up some good grub

It couldn't have been in starker contrast to Eugene's regular job.

He's usually to be found amidst well-heeled eaters at his restaurants - the BALTIC in Newcastle and The Tontine in North Yorkshire.

Eugene found his trip to the Kitchen a humbling and "bloody depressing" experience.

He witnessed the impact of homelessness at first-hand, and was visibly moved by the plight of many rough sleepers.

"It could be very easy for any one of us to step over the mark and drop off the precipice which we're walking all the time. We don't know what could happen to us," says Eugene grimly.

Street life

The People's Kitchen is a bleak reminder that those hunched bodies in doorways could easily be you or me.

People still drop through the net with alarming regularity despite the welfare state.

The People's Kitchen tries to mitigate some of the homeless' misery by giving love, food, friendship and shelter to anyone in need.

So next time you see a homeless person, don't look away. Why not volunteer to help or donate some clothes to the People's Kitchen?

You can contact the People's Kitchen on 0191 2220699 - just ask for Joe Collins.

You can also leave a donation of clothes or tinned foods by calling at the People's Kitchen at 56 Bath Lane in Newcastle city centre. The Kitchen is in particular need of young people's clothing such as jeans, T-shirts and trainers.