RECOVERING drug addicts ran a kitchen for homeless people today (Monday, February 24).

Tenants at the 155, Norton Road, an accommodation centre for former drug addicts supported by the Sanctuary Supported Living charity, decided to help others in dire need.

Only a handful of people attended today, but organisers are considering holding other similar schemes in the future.

Support worker Michelle Mount said: “We’ve had a great day and the residents and visitors really enjoyed it.

“We’ve had a mixture of people from supported living schemes and people who are currently sleeping rough.”

Michelle Mount and her colleagues first discussed the event with clients after attending a networking meeting of support agencies in the area and seeing the need for soup kitchen provision. The idea was also a way for clients to pick up some new skills, but also give something back to the community.

One 26-year-old mother, who is a resident at Norton Road, is due to move into private accommodation.

She said: ““I think it’s been great because it’s got us involved and has taught us how to prepare things, and how to cook.

“The two years I’ve been here my support worker has done so much for me, and I’ve always been able to approach the staff to talk about anything.

“This was a nice way to do something for someone else before I move into my own place with my daughter.”

Sanctuary Supported Living provides accommodation and support to more than 6,000 disadvantaged or vulnerable people nationwide.