Building on the highly successful model first demonstrated by Detroit SOUP, a small group of people have come together to bring SOUP dinners back to Dudley this May.

Dudley SOUP is now calling for projects for an exciting event on Thursday 9th May 2019, to be held at Gather on Dudley High Street. Groups and individuals with ideas for community projects are encouraged to submit their proposals, make a short presentation and answer four simple questions. The deadline for proposals is 22nd April 2019.

SOUP offers an imaginative and supportive space where people can gather to share a meal, whilst encouraging conversation, relationship building and resource sharing. It empowers those who support creative community projects in their hometown. SOUP is a great way to raise money, build community vitality and cohesiveness and connections to local resources that can help groups carry out a project.

Each event sees four project proposals presented over an evening of food, fun and music. With a suggested entrance fee of £5, supporters are encouraged to bring and share food while voting for the community project they think is the best. The project with the most votes wins the money taken on the door and leaves with the funds that evening. Lorna Prescott, one of Dudley SOUP’s instigators, said:

“I was inspired by Birmingham SOUP, which launched in 2015, and when I talked to people in Dudley about it I sensed excitement. I bought the first Dudley SOUP team together in 2016, and they did amazing work, hosting SOUP dinners over 5 seasons.

"Now we’re back for 2019 with a new team, some new venues to try out, and a growing network of projects and support for people with great ideas to hook into. SOUP helps places thrive.” said “We want to build something that will help our town grow and thrive in a way that involves those to whom the town means the most.”

Globally, SOUP collectives have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for various projects that provide direct benefits for their local communities. These projects include – but are not limited to – after school clubs, park clean ups, helping the homeless and kickstarting micro-businesses.

Alongside the funding there is the exciting opportunity for everyone attending to make connections, as groups and individuals, to network, and in the spirit of the original event, give encouragement, empower others and help projects get off the ground, whether winners or not. Everyone is welcome to attend, with a suggested cash donation on the door of £5 to assist the funding of projects.

Everyone is welcome to attend, however places are limited. Book yours at dudleysoup.co.uk.