Up to 60 hot Christmas dinners were served to people facing homelessness in Gateshead as Oasis Community Housing held their annual festive feast at the charity's drop-in centre.
Crackers were pulled and Christmas music was played as people were welcomed off the freezing cold and icy streets to enjoy a two-course meal. Some of those at the Basis Gateshead drop-in centre had been attending the Christmas meal for a number of years and were pleased to see it return after the Covid pandemic resulted in it being cancelled for two years.
David, who was one of the first to arrive at the centre, said: "It was cracking, I had all the trimmings. I've been talking to the staff all morning. When you're on your own it's a bit of company and you're meeting new faces."
In the past year, the charity has helped men and women who are rough sleeping more than 4,600 times at their drop-ins in Gateshead and Sunderland. It comes as research this year found that 78% of young homeless people unable to afford a balanced meal this winter.
With high costs of living already given as one of the main reasons that people can't afford food, the charity fears things will only get worse as we head into winter. And today demand for the Christmas meal exceeded the 50 spaces the charity had originally planned for, with around 60 people expected to attend.
Carolyn Wood, Oasis Community Housing's director of programmes, said: "This year, we've seen increasing numbers of people coming through our doors for help. Tough economic times are pushing people to the brink and, for those already sleeping on the streets, our teams have been particularly concerned.
"People who come to our drop-ins often refer to us as 'family' and coming together to share love and laughter – as well as opening doors to those in need – it's what Christmas is all about. So, we're hoping these festive few hours at our drop-in, in addition to our usual support services, will help spread Christmas cheer and create some special memories."
David, who became homeless after the death of his 25-year-old son, now lives in a bedsit and continues to attend the drop-in two times a week. He said: "I come in here twice a week and the staff help me with stuff on the computer for me getting rehoused.
"Plus I've got my volunteering at Joe's Place at St Joseph's [a support programme led by the Diocese of Newcastle and Hexham] on a Wednesday morning. I'm getting back on my feet now."
The 59-year-old became homeless in 2017 after getting into rent arrears and being evicted. David had turned to alcohol to help him deal with his bereavement and was living on the streets until nine months into the pandemic. He first set up camp near the Redheugh Bridge in Gateshead but later moved to a more rural area after his tent was set on fire.
Speaking about his experiences, David said: "I went go to Joe's Place on Wednesday morning, I went back [to my tent] for a sleep in the afternoon and then went to the People's Kitchen for 6pm.
"When I was walking back over the bridge just after 8pm I could smell burning and as I was getting closer and closer I saw that somebody had set fire to the whole lot."
Also attending the Christmas meal was Stephen Hepple who has also been supported by the charity and over the last 13 months has completely turned his life around.
Stephen first accessed Oasis Community Housing's support when he was "in a bad place" and faced losing his home. But with the charity's help he managed to keep his home and he continued to visit the charity's drop in centre.
The 35-year-old said: "I used to be a junkie, a drug dealer, I was on heroine, I was on crack, I was on coke, I would take anything to get off my face, then I went to jail. I've been out for 13 months now and working for 11 months and I've sorted myself right out.
"If you'd have asked me 10 years ago if I wanted to work I would have said don't swear at me but now I can't do anything but work."
Oasis Community Housing's Christmas meal was supported by Newcastle law firm Muckle LLP, who were also volunteering on the day. Those in attendance also received wrapped gifts from Muckle LLP including Greggs food vouchers and selection boxes.
The Christmas meal was part of Oasis Community Housing's wider efforts to give individuals and families in its supported housing projects, based across North East England and South London, Christmases to remember. This includes dishing out gifts and Christmas hampers, many which have been kindly provided by the charity’s supporters, Cash for Kids and Feeding Families, and delivered by the team from Handelsbanken Gateshead branch.
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