Former homeless alcoholic who relied on Newcastle's People's Kitchen now volunteers after turning his life around

The pandemic was a time of uncertainty for everyone in this country, none more so than Mark Jones who was living on the streets after a breakdown with his family.

At this point Mark, from Newcastle, had a job working 30 hours a week so he was still able to eat. However Mark turned to alcohol to help him get through the day and to help him sleep, and this led to him being let go from work.

"I was drunk all the time, stumbling around and they had to let me go," Mark said.

Read more: Gateshead charity calls on Government to address 'chronic trauma' of people facing homelessness

With nowhere else to turn, Mark started going to The People's Kitchen where he received a hot meal each day and clothing packages from the team of volunteers.

Mark then volunteered with Crisis UK and started to work with The People's Kitchen also, as he wanted to repay them for the help that they had given him.

Volunteer Mark Jones at the Peoples Kitchen on Bath Lane, Newcastle (Newcastle Chronicle)

"I said to them give me any job that I can do with my hands, anything that can keep me busy," he added.

Mark is now living in a hostel and is back in contact with his family, frequently seeing his children and his elderly mother who he hadn't seen since before the pandemic. He was also taken back on by his previous employer after remaining sober for months.

According to him the best thing about The People's Kitchen, rather than the physical things that they provide is that there are people there who will sit with you and listen:

"You can always speak to anyone who is there, they are all willing to listen and you can tell that it is genuine."

Mark is wanting to volunteer more with The People's Kitchen, and is clearly very grateful to them for everything that they have done for him.

"I feel so much more positive about the future now, if you asked me that a year ago the answer would have been very different," he said.

Read next:

• Primark Christmas product that could help shoppers save on wrapping paper returns

• Five 'energy thieves' which are impacting the cost of your energy bills this winter

• Whitley Bay business owner says 378% energy bill rise could be final nail in coffin

• Map of County Durham food banks offering cost-of-living support

• Oil giant Shell posts extra profit while households struggle to pay energy bills