The Salvation Army has expressed gratitude to its volunteers who serve up food and friendship weekly at a Hexham lunch club.

In partnership with the charity Gateway into the Community, the club operates every Tuesday from Market Street, giving opportunities for people with additional needs to volunteer.

Among the volunteers are Stephen and Ryan, who prepare the meals, arrange tables, serve customers, and help with regular jumble sales and the Christmas appeal.

Stephen Castelow, 31, from Hexham who has volunteered for two years said: "I certainly enjoy it, it helps to volunteer.

"I like to help the community and get to meet new people."

Mr Castelow also says that volunteering has boosted his confidence.

William, a regular customer said: "I come because it’s a good environment.

"There’s a good variety of people who come.

"It’s amazing what they do.

"It’s about what people with disability can do, not what they can’t do."

Territorial envoy Jason Wearmouth, who heads Hexham Salvation Army, has praised working with groups such as Gateway into the Community and the neighbouring Tynedale Centre.

He said: "The lunch club is well established and has been a really positive experience for our volunteers and customers.

"It’s a very welcoming, calm peaceful environment that helps people thrive and use their skills to help others in the community."

The Salvation Army club offers a CAMEO (come and meet each other) group on Tuesday afternoons and recently introduced a community café on Thursday mornings.

Mr Wearmouth praised the role of volunteers like Ryan and Stephen and how much their help means.

Sarah Morrison, who supports Stephen and Ryan, applauded them for cultivating social skills and gaining confidence in a safe and supportive environment.

Stephen’s mother, Sharyn Castelow, who also manages Day Service at Gateway, said: "I think these guys have got such a lot to offer, skills wise and communication wise.

"It also brings young people and old people together in such a positive way.

"Stephen has made a lot of good friends here over the years."

The lunch club operates from 12pm on Tuesdays, CAMEO starts at 1.30pm, and the community café is open on Thursdays from 10.30am to 1.30pm.