The Giving Table, Academy Street, Belfast - 01.02.2026

Another dry Sunday in Belfast. On the menu was pasta bolognese, angel delight, and our usual fruit and jelly pots, alongside plenty of snacks.

Just as we were setting up, our young caller, who I’d been on the hunt for clothing for, appeared. I greeted her and let her know we’d put together a bag of bits for her. When I showed her the bag, she panicked slightly and said, “Oh, I couldn’t carry all that this week.”

I reassured her that was absolutely fine. She could take whatever she needed today, and the rest would still be there for her next week.

She chose some leggings and small tops that were easy to carry, along with her usual hand and foot warmers and a fresh pair of socks. I also gave her a £20 Primark voucher and told her it was for anything else she might need. She looked at me in complete awe and asked, “Are you sure?”

Of course I was, and she accepted it so gratefully.

We chatted for a while about life in a hostel, how it can keep you stuck in constant fight-or-flight mode, and how difficult it can be to ever really rest.

Not long after, a member of the public approached our table to let us know about a gentleman nearby who appeared visibly upset and asked if we could help. I headed down for a chat and found him sitting quietly, listening to music with a small drink beside him, clearly having a tough moment. I offered food or a hot drink, which he declined, and gently encouraged him to come up for a chat or have a look at the clothing, but he wasn’t interested.

We spoke for a short while, and by the time I left, he was visibly brighter, laughing and joking with both myself and the member of the public who had checked in on him.

Our next caller was a gentleman looking for shoes and something warm. He managed to get a pair of trainers and a warm coat, and after a short chat we offered him some food to take with him, which he gratefully accepted.

By then it was 3pm and time to pack up.

With 12 of our 14 meals still left, we took our usual route home via Royal Avenue and Tomb Street to see who was about.

On Royal Avenue, we came across a rough sleeper and pulled up to offer food and support. There wasn’t much conversation, and there appeared to be additional needs. We left pasta bolognese, angel delight, a warm cup of coffee, and some snacks. I noticed their belongings, including their sleeping bag, were soaked through, so I asked if they’d like a dry one. We got a yes.

As we returned to the van, a member of staff from a nearby business approached us to thank us. They shared that they’d been offering hot drinks and snacks when they could, and told us the individual had been out there through all weathers, with belongings repeatedly soaked. By the time we left, the individual seemed much happier and was even having a good laugh, exactly what we love to see.

Next stop was Tomb Street.

We met quite a few individuals, some in varying states of intoxication, but all extremely pleasant and in great form. We carried our bag of meals to hand out on the spot, and what happened next genuinely took me by surprise.

Suddenly there was a queue for hot food, and another for angel delight. Before we knew it, we had completely run out. People were still asking for angel delight, so we offered jelly and fruit instead, which they happily accepted. We quickly headed back to the van to grab more jelly, along with protein bars and drinks, and returned to queues again.

Cleared out for the second time.

Some people asked for more bolognese, so we offered pot noodles and mug shots, though they weren’t quite as popular. As quickly as the crowd gathered, it dispersed. Thankfully, we managed to chat with people and let them know where we set up on Sundays, so hopefully we’ll see more familiar faces in the weeks ahead. Either way, this is part of our route home, and we’ll always stop, even if it’s just for hot drinks and snacks.

I think I’m still in a little bit of shock after yesterday’s Giving Table.

We cleared out completely, no meals left, no desserts left. Jelly and fruit went down an absolute treat, and the protein bars were snapped up straight away. All round, it was a really good day, with 14 individuals receiving a hot meal and even more people picking up snacks to take with them.

Looking ahead to next week, I’m planning a chilli. We’ve been kindly sent a huge selection of beans, including kidney beans, which will help bulk out the meals while keeping them full of protein and nutrition. I am, however, still on the hunt for a rice cooker, cooking rice really isn’t my strongest kitchen skill 😅.

I’ll likely make chocolate and banana Angel Delight again, and I’m also planning rice pudding, as the Angel Delight went quicker than the hot food. Sweet treats are definitely a firm favourite with the people we meet. I’ll just need to pick up some jam portions to go with the rice pudding.

We’ve also had some lovely donations of crackers and oatcakes, so I’d really love recommendations for what pairs well with these over the coming weeks. And if anyone has more meal ideas along the lines of chilli and bolognese, hearty, nutritious, crowd-pleasing meals that are easy enough to prep and pop in the slow cooker, I’m all ears.

This post might feel a bit like a waffle, but sometimes I need to get everything out of my head so I can see clearly where we are and what we need going forward. These posts genuinely help, not just to untangle my own thoughts, but because they open the door for advice. And I rely on that more than people probably realise.

Shared experience and knowledge is powerful. Something I’m struggling with might be something someone reading has already navigated, and their advice can make all the difference. That’s been true not just for outreach, but personally too, I’ve had brilliant recommendations through these posts in the past.

I’ve always been a writer in the sense that when something is bothering me, I write it down to get my head straight. When I look back at journals from my time spent homeless, they read very similarly to these posts, worries and thoughts written as if I was talking to someone. I used to think I’d write a book about my experiences, but it seems that’s naturally turned into these daily posts instead.

Through Compassionate Cuts, I get to spread the same kindness I was once shown, while also shining a light on what’s really happening in our own towns. I always try to keep everyone anonymous, while still offering an honest glimpse into their lives. Sometimes, when I look into someone’s eyes, I see so much of how I once felt, lost, disconnected, feeling more like a problem than a person. It breaks my heart every time.

And yet, when someone lights up because kindness is being offered with no expectation of anything in return, it makes every minute worth it. I can only hope that the kindness we’re showing together helps carry people through and gives them the strength they need to get through this chapter of their lives.

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