Four amazing community projects, one prize and a bowl of delicious soup
Last Thursday evening, I attended Action Hampshire’s SOUP event in Winchester. SOUP is an innovative crowdfunding initiative which started in Detroit, USA and has spread its wings across the globe. SOUP events run in many towns and cities across the UK, but this is a Winchester first. I was keen to learn more.
What do you wear to a SOUP?
In various social media posts SOUP has been described as Dragons Den with a social conscience so I ditched the dungarees and dressed for the occasion, Deborah Meaden- style (well nearly). It soon became pretty clear I hadn’t ‘read the memo’.
The venue is a cycling themed café which has a rustic, informal vibe. I’m greeted by Keith who is wearing a baseball cap and displaying an impressive set of tattoos. He’s approachable, a Social Entrepreneur expert, with a cheerful Irish accent and couldn’t be less of a dragon if he tried.
Something smells good
I sense the aroma of soup (I wonder what flavour it is?) wafting through the café.
I’m given two tokens and it’s explained that one is to claim a free coffee and the other is to cast my vote. I’m told attendees have all paid a £5 entry and the total collected funds will be awarded to the community project receiving the most votes. Sounds like a wonderful way to spend an evening and have a say too.
I’m introduced to the four VCSE organisations who have been selected to pitch their idea to an audience of locals, charity workers, trustees, social entrepreneurs, and supporters. They’re super nervous, most of them have never pitched or even presented to an audience before. Keith has been coaching them, giving them the confidence to deliver their pitches. It’s clear they all live and breathe their missions. The admiration begins …
Warming up the audience
The seating is around communal tables, and the room is buzzing with anticipation. Who is pitching? How will the presenters win hearts and minds? And what part does soup actually play?
Keith is the compare for the evening and is a great warm-up act. He accidentally calls the chef delicious rather than the soup which makes everyone laugh, breaking any ice. He explains there are rules but not many. Absolutely no PowerPoint presentations, pitchers must stick to a four-minute slot and can be asked a maximum of four questions. This will help keep proceedings upbeat and informal.
Soup is the handle not the hero
Let’s clear one thing up though –soup is a clever hook to bring people together, not the key driver of the event. SOUP is a way to generate community engagement, encourage networking, and support those wanting to make a difference.
Soup will be eaten once the pitches are over. The heroes of the evening are the pitchers, here to help make the world a better place.
Introducing our heroes…
Up first is Bobbie from Thriveology Wellness CIC an organisation offering a sensory activity programme to help children with neuro-divergent characteristics. Her enthusiasm is off the scale as she explains how the programme works. She has lived experience too as one of her sons has been diagnosed with ADHD. She believes sensory activities such as breathing, and mindfulness are hugely beneficial in maintaining mental balance and stability and has seen the benefits within her own family.
Next, it’s Lizzie from Move Momentum. Lizzie is a dance instructor and wheelchair user for a wheelchair dance project called Liberate. She opens her presentation with wit and engages the audience instantly. She would like to bring a professional within the disability community to inspire her students at the Liberate Dance Holiday Camp in August. She demonstrates some moves which are real crowd pleasers.
Carl from Alfie’s Arc takes to the stage with an emotional pitch. He’s the brains behind the One Step project which is a be-friending service reaching out to those struggling with their mental health, offering them guidance and signposting. He’s experienced drug and alcohol abuse so the subject matter is close to his heart. He co-ordinates food parcels for the homeless and vulnerable and needs funding to buy a delivery van.
The final pitch is Louisa from Joyful JAMS CIC. She delivers a very professional presentation all about the benefits dance can bring to people living with dementia. She would like to be able to implement a 3D (Developmental Dance for Dementia) dance pilot. Louisa demonstrates some techniques used to illustrate her plea.
Picking a favourite was brutal
The conversation flows over our bowls of soup. We share our ideas with individuals from other organisations and make new connections. We agree and disagree but the one thing that unites us is all four pitchers are equally worthy of the prize fund.
And the winner is…
Congratulations to Alifie’s Arc. Your emotional appeal won our hearts and minds. Thanks to ticket sales and support from The Connect Fund, we were able to donate £700 to Carl’s project.
Please sir, can I have some more?
The event was a success for all. It was an entertaining evening, an opportunity to network, share thoughts and witness the passion and commitment of the presenters, all of whom left a lasting impression on us.
The runners up received free Action Hampshire Membership so we feel privileged that we can continue to work together. We will do our absolute best to help them on their journeys.
It was a hugely positive experience and I left feeling not only that I’d had a different evening out but that I’d helped the community in some small way. Let’s hope we can run more of these events in the future and deliver a second serving soon.
Are you interested in sponsoring or funding our next SOUP event? If so please contact Hannah.henshaw@actionhampshire.org
