Recent News
On Monday night, a change in the weather from the awful wind and rain of the previous night was welcomed by everyone. The calm atmosphere made for some good conversations. Hope Baptist Church led the run with volunteers from Devonport Community Baptist Church, Will, Joe, Richard, Carl and Michael. They served 70 people with chicken and soup plus the usual fayre prepared by Zoe and #babcock Trades Union volunteers. Thanks to all including StreetVet looking after people's companion animals.
Whatever the weather, Plymouth Soup Run will be there! Last night, despite torrential rain and gale force winds, 65 people came to collect food, plus 12 meals taken for family/friends. Choice of pasta Bolognese, cheesy veg pasta, or Spanish omelette, plus soup, hot drinks and snacks; surplus food taken to George House and Devonport Lifehouse. As we finished, we reflected on the fact that we could dry out at home but people whe are #streethomeless were not so fortunate. Thanks to ALL the team.
A busy Saturday for the Plymouth Methodist Central Hall and St Peter & the Holy Apostles, Plymouth team. Delicious pasta/bean stew for 84 people plus 16 not able to come out. Whilst a couple of people shared their good news, the hardship caused by homelessness really hit home for the team, whose time to listen is so important. Big picture statistics do matter, but for one person with multiple unmet needs, as evidenced last night, homelessness is 100%. Thanks to the team for their efforts.
Huge thanks to all the volunteers who help on Saturday mornings Shekinah. This week, as always, people were offered a full English breakfast, with crumpets later and a packed lunch to takeaway. Showers and clean clothes were available, as well as time to chat and relax. After the session, we went out for coffee and cake to celebrate Emily’s birthday. Lovely to sit together, chat and relax. It’s important to look after the #team too. #Volunteering is great.
On Friday, 68 people were served by the team from Plymouth Christian Centre. The team were pleased to welcome their new Soup Run coordinators, Jade and Charlie. Thanks to all for supporting the run. It was good to hear that a couple of people have an accommodation offer, but sadly many people in Plymouth remain #streethomeless.
Despite the weather forecast, the team from #callington had a relatively dry but windy run on Thursday. 90 people were served. The team had initially catered for 85 and so had to open their 'in case of emergency' supplies. As well as food, toiletries, socks, hats, gloves and dog and cat food were also given out. Thanks to all.
We are pleased to share information on a forthcoming volunteering event organised by Plymouth City Council to take place at The Box, Plymouth on Monday 7th October 1-4pm. This drop-in event will showcase the wide range of ways that people can get involved in volunteering in areas of health and wellbeing, education, and more. The main target group for the event is the over 50s, but people of all ages are welcome to attend.
It was a very wet Wednesday night for the Plymouth Soup Run team from Mutley Baptist Church, but everyone was in good spirits. 60 people were served plus 5 bags collected for family/friends not able to get to the run. Lots of clothes and toiletries were also given out. A generous donation of food from Tesco Mutley Plain was well received. Thanks to all.
On Tuesday night, 86 people were served. The evening was sponsored by Wesco Anixter with a team of volunteers from the company and from #babcock. Lots of great food - sausage pasta bake and veggie option, sandwiches, snack bag, soup and hot drinks. Sleeping bags and blankets also given out. Thanks to both companies and a huge thank you to #charlieede who who helped to prepare the hot food. Charlie has now cooked for Plymouth Soup Run 3 days out of the last 4. Amazing support, Charlie.
Special thanks to everyone who helped on Monday: Team #vivo who were in the kitchen with Viv preparing the food, and #jubbengineering who served on the run with Adam driving plus Prayer Pastors Kath and Alex. Lots of good conversations and listening ears as well as the food given out! 106 people were served.
Many thanks to #charlieede who cooked on both Saturday and Sunday. On the menu: sausage, mash, peas and onion gravy, Angel Delight, sandwiches, snacks, soup, and hot and cold drinks. 117 people were served. 4 sleeping bags and 3 blankets were also given out, plus a pair of shoes. Thanks to ALL the team.
Although it was raining, it was a surprisingly busy night for the team who came up from the Lighthouse Community Centre CIC, Liskeard, and served 86 people. Weekends can feel long for people who are #streethomeless or in temporary accomodation. Many welcome not just the food, but a chance to chat as well. Thanks to the team.
A steady stream of people arrived at Shekinah on Saturday, many for the first time. Charlie was in charge in the kitchen, and his breakfasts were rated "amazing", "banging" and "better than Wetherspoons"! There were LOTS of requests for clean clothes, and three rucksacks and a food parcel were given out.
Thanks to all the volunteers from Plymouth Christian Centre serving on a Friday, with many volunteers coming after work. Last night, the team welcomed 2 new volunteers. 65 people were served. 2 laundry vouchers, a food vouchers and 2 day riders were given out.
88 people were served, on a beautiful Thursday evening, by a team from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There was plenty of food for everyone with some seconds available at the last stop. 2 sleeping bags, a blanket and dogfood were also given out. Thanks to all.
Last night was calm but busy. A Royal Navy HM Naval Base Devonport team, organised by Bethany Cummings sourced ingredients, prepared and served beef stew (plus veggie option). 91 meals served plus 4 for friends and family not able to get to the run. Huge thanks to Bethany, Sam and Del, supported by Sean, Brett and Ben, accompanied by 4 members of the regular Mutley Baptist Church team. A sleeping bag, clothing and toiletries were given out. Thanks to all volunteers and Tesco Mutley Plain for the food donation.
Huge congratulations to Lyndsey Withers, one of our amazing Plymouth Soup Run volunteers, who has been awarded the NHS Parliamentary Volunteer Award for the South West region for all her voluntary work in a range of organisations across Plymouth. Well done Lyndsey, very well deserved.
A big thank-you to Sean and Graham of Harbour Plymouth for delivering training on drug awareness and naloxone administration to a group of Plymouth Soup Run volunteers this evening. Naloxone is an emergency medicine that can help save lives by reversing the effects of an overdose of heroin or other opioid drugs. #harmreduction #naloxonesaveslives Naloxone Plymouth
A number of organisations helped on Plymouth Soup Run yesterday. As every Monday, Hope Baptist Church coordinated the run, with support from Saltash Health Centre doing preparation with Vicky and Jean, and #babcock Trades Union out on the run with Prayer Pastors Simon and Richard, and driver Chris. 81 people were served with time to listen, chat and learn of the positive impact of these interactions. Thanks to all.
Many thanks to everyone who helped on Plymouth Soup Run Sunday evening. With four volunteers away, the team had a very busy time preparing the food and serving over 100 people. Special thanks to Jenny who cooked on both Saturday morning and Sunday evening. We had plenty of food. The extra was taken to George House. Three sleeping bags were given out