A charity has been recognised for its work to support the most vulnerable in the North East.
The People’s Kitchen has been visited by the High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear, David Bavaird, who presented them with an award for “great and valuable services to the community.” The award was given after he had made a previous trip to Bath Lane in Newcastle to see the work that was being done to help the less-fortunate in the city.
The organisation started their work in 1985 and was founded by Alison Kay after she heard a story about the death of a homeless man. Alison had a team of 40 volunteers just a year later and The People's Kitchen was opened in order to support vulnerable people, know as the 'Friends'. They offer food, clothes, and essential items that people need to live, as well as being a kind and warm presence in people's lives. The People's Kitchen now has over 200 volunteers who give up their time to help people in their community.
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David has explained just how impressed he was with the work that The People's Kitchen do and why he felt they were worthy winners of the award.
“I met several of the 'Friends' and a fantastic range of volunteers who give up their time to help others. This is the perfect example to me of where people are doing things for the good of the community and I felt it was only right and proper that they received the highest award that I can give them. I’m delighted to present the certificate and thank the volunteers and trustees for the hard work they put in.
“Another thing that struck me when I was here was that the Friends aren’t only supplied with food but that they are signposted for further help. No-one asks the Friends any probing questions and they receive excellent support and companionship. It’s no wonder the charity has been going for so long and why it’s a beacon of best practice."
Maggie Pavlou is a Trustee at The People's Kitchen. She said: “We’re very proud that the High Sheriff has taken time out of his busy schedule to visit us and present us with this certificate. We operate entirely on a workforce of volunteers, and no-one gets paid a penny for the work that they do within the Kitchen.
"We receive no Government funding and as such we are totally reliant on the good will and generosity of the people, the communities and the business within our region who support us. Being recognised with such a prestigious award is testament to the way we operate the charity, and everyone involved in The People’s Kitchen has played a part in us receiving it."
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