Recent News
We welcomed 25 peeople into Shekinah this morning for a calm and convivial rough sleeper session. Most had a cooked breakfast and 11 took a shower. A few serious games of UNO were played and the garden proved popular for a relaxing outdoor moment. There were a lot of new faces, several of whom had only recently become homeless and needed signposting advice on sources of help. Two people were advised to go to the Cumberland Centre for treatment for skin lesions. A big thank you to our volunteers who prepared and served the food, chatted to clients, and did all the various jobs of staffing reception, cleaning, and doing the laundry that make the sessions work.
As always on a Friday the cooks at Plymouth Christian Centre were busy preparing the food for Plymouth Soup Run. On the menu was a cheesy vegetable soup, pizza and garlic bread, and chicken Thai noodles. There was a choice of cheese and salad, ham and cheese or ham sandwiches. All this plus lots of snacks, chocolate treats, crisps and fruit.99 people were served join the evening. 5 sleeping bags, five coats, underwear, socks and toiletries were also given out. Many thanks to all the team who were joined by Tina back visiting friends and family. As always great #teamwork providing #communitysupport and #helpingothers.
Once again, the number was 107! The team from Plymouth Mayflower Rotary Club catered for 110 and gave out the remaining 3 bags at Kings Road.The team arrived early at Mayflower Street at 8.30 and a considerable queue had already built up. During the evening 2 sleeping bags were given out plus the team’s entire stock of toiletries and lots of jackets and other clothing. The team on clothes had lots of good conversations but did meet some people with complex issues.At stop 3 there was an altercation involving service users but not directed at the team. However the team did pack up early and left this stop quickly. Many thanks to all the team for their continued support. #communitysupport #WeServe
On Wednesday the team from Mutley Baptist Church prepared 121 meals with 107 meals served in total. A large donation from Tesco Mutley Plain was added to by a further Tesco donation at the Hoe from a kind member of the public.4 sleeping bags and 3 blankets were given out together with lots of clothes and toiletries. Many thanks to Mutley Baptist and their team of volunteers for serving on Plymouth Soup Run every Wednesday. Thanks also to the people who kindly donate items from our Amazon wish list. Men’s and ladies underwear has recently been received plus some men’s deodorants. Huge thanks. #MakeADifference #communitysupport #helpingothers
Tuesday was not as busy as the previous few nights for the team from St Matts Plymouth who had catered for over 130. So with 116 people served during the evening they were able to give out some extras at the last stop. The team started the run with a selection of food including chicken and vegetable soup, pizza, chilli and rice, and veggie pasta. The sandwiches were ham, cheese or egg with the egg being very popular and running out at stop 1. 1 sleeping bag was given out as well as some toiletries, socks and underwear. There was a calm relaxed atmosphere during the evening with a short burst of singing at stop 3. Many thanks to all the St Matts volunteers both those who collected the food, cooked, did the washing up and served on Plymouth Soup Run.Great #teamwork. #communitysupport #MakeADifferenece.
Although Monday was busy, fortunately it was quieter and far more manageable at stop 1 which meant there was time to chat to people as well as serve. 110 people were served during the evening.Zoe with Dockyard friends prepared the food while Mary, Greg, Gabby and Saltash medical centre served on the run. Mary was thanked for all her work as she is stepping down from her team leader/driving role but she will continue to serve on the individuals team. The StreetVet team had a very busy night with a queue of dogs waiting to be seen. Many thanks to everyone involved on a Monday night, to Hope Baptist Church for coordinating the run, to all the business and community teams who help and to The Cornwall Bakery and Gingsters for the savoury items. 4 sleeping bags were given out. #teamwork #communitysupport #helpingothers
It was another busy night on Sunday, but thankfully not as busy as Saturday. During the evening we served 131 people. All the team worked hard, Lyndsey in the kitchen preparing plenty of hot meals and the volunteers from STORM running making the sandwiches. In fact, they made 131 sandwiches just the right number! Thanks also to our Duke of Edinburgh student, Lexi, who packs all the bags. The hot food, cottage pie or a vegetarian pasta dish, was appreciated by everyone. We served a choice of French onion soup or spicy lentil soup thanks to FareShare South West.There was enough food for everyone as we had anticipated higher numbers following Saturday.Two sleeping bags were given out.Huge thanks to everyone who helped both front and back of house. We really appreciate the support we are now getting from storm running. We couldn’t do it without them.Great #teamwork offering #communitysupport and #helpingothers.
Saturday evening saw a new record for Plymouth Soup Run with so many people at stop 1 it was impossible for the team from St Paul’s Church Efford to count and impossible to keep to time!! By counting the number of food bags left, the estimate was 110 people were served at this one stop alone !Because of these unprecedented numbers the team were running both late and low on food which meant that emotions were sometimes high at the other stops. Sadly, one person kicked off big-time and was very threatening and abusive to one of the team! This was not pleasant as the team were all trying to manage the large numbers in a difficult situation.By the end of the night a total of about 165 people had been served.The team took out 120 snack bags, 120 hot meals+ some extra sandwiches and extra chicken nuggets.Teams are currently at their maximum capacity producing food for this high number of people and it isn't sustainable in the long run.As well as food, 6 sleeping bags and a large quantity of clothes and toiletries were also given out. HUGE thanks to the team for their hard work on a very stressful evening!!
The word busy can be used yet again, this time to describe Saturday morning at Shekinah, when Plymouth Soup Run volunteers served 34 people at Shekinah with another 5 people collecting food from the door. We had a large team this morning but everyone was kept busy either cooking, washing up, clearing the tables, taking out the rubbish, supervising the showers, organising the list for the podiatrist and chatting to people. 11 people had a shower and 5 people saw Freya the podiatrist from Forgotten Feet - Helping Homeless Feet.As well as cooking the breakfasts Gavin and Trish prepared all the vegetables ready for tomorrow nights meal.Huge thanks to everyone who volunteered this morning your help is much appreciated.#teamwork #communitysupport
Friday was another busy night, this time for the team from Plymouth Christian Centre, with 84 people served just at stop 1. After that it was quieter at the other 3 stops with 113 people served throughout the evening.On the menu was curried vegetable soup, a variety of cheese based butties and the main meal was pork & veg pasta, with a vegetable & pasta only option. All of the food was consumed with nothing left by the end of the night. 3 sleeping bags were given out. Many thanks to the team of cooks who prepared all the food and Boi and volunteers for serving on Plymouth Soup Run.The team said it was an “amazing night”. #communitysupport #MakeADifference #helpingothers
It was an exceptionally busy Thursday for the #cornwallbakery and Callington Lions team. The queue at stop 1 seemed endless with over 80 people waiting. During the evening approximately 112 people were served. As the fireworks were taking place there was no stop on the Hoe.The soup ran out at stop 1 and there were very few sandwiches left at the final stop but there were plenty of hot savouries so people could have more than 1 each. There were no requests for sleeping bags. Huge thanks to The Cornwall Bakery for sponsoring the evening and to ALL the volunteers for serving on a surprisingly busy Thursday night. #teamwork #communitysupport #helpingothers
On Wednesday evening food preparation for the team from Mutley Baptist Church was interrupted by the team popping out every few minutes to check on the Eclipse but despite this they still prepared 118 meals in record time. Also, with fireworks later that evening the team did not stop at the Hoe but had extended time at Martin Street. The evening was warm and humid but calm.91 people were served. 4 sleeping bags were given out to people all known to Path Devon, as well as blankets lots of clothes and toiletries.Many thanks to Mutley Baptist Church and their team of volunteers.#communitysupport #teamwork #helpingothers
Many thanks to volunteers Aiden, Alana, Charlie, Jade and Lyndsey who represented Plymouth Soup Run at todays 'Wellness Wednesday' event in Stonehouse. This was organised by the Deepend General Practice and brought together a range of healthcare providers and community organisations. Over 80 people from the immediate catchment area attended and were offered advice on local health and wellbeing services, including the chance to get a blood pressure check and liver scan. We were also able to do some useful networking to share information about what we can offer as a service, and to learn of additional signposting opportunites for the people we support.
On Tuesday evening it was great to have Bidfood UK and friends organising and serving on Plymouth Soup Run. The team arrived early with LOTS of food and drink, much to everyone’s delight. There was a steady stream of people at stop 1 with slightly less people at stops 2 and 3. 99 people were served during the evening. There was a choice of sandwiches, a chicken or vegetarian hot meal, soup, snacks, hot drinks and much to everyone’s delight, a choice of canned drinks.1 sleeping bag was given out.The team were joined by Darren from HIPP Livewell Southwest who provided a listening ear and support for someone who had collapsed. Many thanks to everyone who helped last night. Great #teamwork offering #communitysupport.
It was a busy Monday night with 110 people served.Our dockyard friends with Bev, Andy and Louis prepped the food with MSubs serving alongside Bronia, Richard and Carl. Street vets were also out as they are every Monday .Huge thanks to everyone involved. Great #teamwork providing #communitysupport. Thanks also to Nando's039;sIvor Dewdneysdneys for their food donations.
Meat balls, sausages, or chicken all served in a tomato sauce on a bed of rice, thanks Debbie, were VERY popular last night. There were also cheese and onion pasties for any vegetarians. Plus sandwiches, bananas or pineapple, custard , water, hot drinks and spicy lentil soup. It was another busy night especially at stop 1 and 3 with 124 people served during the evening.2 sleeping bags were given out and a few toiletries and pairs of socks. It was a calm evening with some good conversations, until the very end, when, sadly, 1 customer verbally threatened a volunteer. Behaviour such as this is totally unacceptable.Many thanks to all the team both front and back of house. #helpingothers #communitysupport #teamwork
With the high number of people arriving for food on Saturday a dash to Tesco was necessary to top up the supplies, so there were enough sandwiches for the final stop!113 people were served by the team of 4 volunteers from Plymstock United Church.As always their homemade bacon soup was popular. At the final stop some extras ( Pot Noodles) were also available to supplement the food but only for those people who had less!Sadly during Plymouth Soup Run 1 couple heard their tent was on fire and when we arrived at stop 4 the fire engine and police were there. They were given sleeping bags. Many thanks to the team who worked hard on a busy and at times demanding evening.Thanks also to Jo and Nick from St Paul’s Efford who dropped off some supplies for a vulnerable woman. #teamwork #communitysupport
Whilst the number of people who came to Shekinah this Saturday, 28, was slightly lower than of late, because of the level of need it felt very busy with 2/4 people requiring a high level of support. 1 client became unwell and an ambulance had to be called but all was fine in the end.9 people had a shower with lots of people requesting items of clothing. A full English was enjoyed by most people while a few others had specific dietary requests.The FareShare South West collection included 1/2 a wheel of Stilton which some people enjoyed. Many, many thanks to Dave and Gill who in their 89th year continue to bring a box of donations, as often as they can, for Plymouth Soup RunHUGE thanks to all the team on a very busy and at times demanding morning. #teamwork #communitysupport
It was a busy night for a Friday. The team from Plymouth Christian Centre served just shy of 100 people. Mayflower Street was busy as usual with 50 people and, as on Thursday, there was some tension between 2 customers. At the other end...Kings Road, was a cheerful madhouse with 29 people served, with a few stragglers that kept the team out quite late! A desperate affair at Martins St with a poor women who had obviously been through a great deal of trauma and was in a very sad state. Hilary and the female team members attended to her, supplying her with all that was available to assist. During the day the cooks did a cracking job and their tomato & lentil soup was a hit...again! Pasta bakes, pasta salads and jacket potatoes with cheese were served with the usual variety of cheese and ham sandwiches, topped up with a few treats. The drinking water is still in high demand. 4 sleeping bags were given out.It was a successful evening and some new volunteers were introduced to Plymouth Soup Run. #teamwork #communitysupport #MakeADifference
Fortunately, on Thursday the team from the church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints prepared food for 110 people and 106 arrived to be served. So there was food for everyone. Stop 1 was very busy again with a steady stream of people right up until we really should have been leaving!!2 sleeping bags and some smaller items of clothing were given out.A number of people wanted to chat, but sadly not all their news was positive.Apart from one incident between service users it was a calm night. However, all teams would prefer there to be NO trouble during the evening.Many thanks to the team from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints both theIr preparation team and the team out on the run.#communitysupport #helpingothers
