Colchestersoup is a simple idea based on a concept that has its origins in Detroit, USA. Karen Taylor tells us all about it
3 pitchers, 2 soups, 1 winner
When we were asked to produce around 500 words it seemed a lot. So we decided to put 500 into a bit of perspective.
500 = half as many followers as we have on Twitter
500 = twice as many likes as we have on Facebook
500 = an eighth of the amount of money raised by Colchestersoup
500 = as many people as we hope to ultimately reach on soup nights
500 = the amount of money we’d like to ultimately raise on an average soup night
We started out with an idea, shamelessly copied from Detroit Soup. We watched it in action at Southend Soup.
On a soup night the local community comes together to donate a suggested £5 at the door. For this they receive soup, a roll and most importantly a vote.
In addition there are an amazing number of people who just want to hear or help something positive.
3 local people/groups talk about their idea that may help the community. They get 5 minutes to talk. There are no electronic aids to their talks, and then they get 5 minutes to answer questions.
That’s all the time they have to convince the audience that their idea deserves to win however much money has been taken as door donations.
As they collect and eat very good soup the votes are cast. Much discussion of the various groups goes on around the tables before people make their final decision. Each soup night provides three very different pitchers.
Following soup both the winners and their winnings are announced. As Colchestersoup has built up winnings have gone from a not insignificant £195.20 to £367 in July and £2000 from one councillor towards his own version of soup.
Pitchers and winners so far have been (winners in bold)
Papworth Trust – needed some money for PR to let people know they’re in the Colchester area
Friends of St Botolphs – needed money for a planter, but more importantly wanted volunteers to come forward
Go4 Enterprises – wanted money for a survey of a boat that they’re hoping to put on the Colne to provide training and pop-up cafes/entertainment
Essex Feminist Collective – needed money for ongoing activities including education in schools, more importantly wanted to raise awareness of what they do
Castlegate Day Care Centre- needed money to replace a ‘decrepit’ kiln
Essex Raynet – needed money towards a new aerial to be installed on Colchester Stadium
Colchester 3D Creative – needed money towards a London show for the students from the institute
Colchester Wildcats – needed a small amount for PR (they were prepared to share winnings) but more importantly wanted to let people know what Korfball is
Grief Recovery Method – needed money for workbooks before starting courses in September
AutismRolo – needed money towards refurb of a Ford Transit van to be used as educational facility
Erin Summers Norman – needed money towards editing and publishing of a social commentary book
Out4Good – needed money to help support and house troubled teenagers
Caroline Rhys-Lewis – pottery equipment
ABCorg.net – camera
Kidsbacks4thefuture – educational material
And then a local councillor said he wanted to run a soup to use his £2000 community grant so another 5 groups shared that money. Spent as directed by the community.
Want to pitch? Want to come along? Next event 20th November 2015 6.30 pm Samaritans Walsingham Road, CO2 7BN
Twitter @colchestersoup
Facebook www.facebook.com/Colchestersoup
Or call 07532 253540
