Northampton locals are being invited to pitch ideas and projects that will help to improve the town. Arts, food initiatives, community projects, local environment… If you have a brilliant idea, this is one way to get it off the ground, writes Tamsyn Payne.
SOUP started in Northampton over a year ago and has funded projects ranging from community cafes to projects to feed the homeless on Abington Street to FGM awareness and support groups. They are hoping this year will bring some fresh thinking and creative projects from all areas of the community.
“It’s crucial to SOUP’s success that there are no boundries on who can apply. You don’t have to be a charity, kids and seniors are welcome to share their ideas and the process of application is very simple. That keeps the ideas dynamic, achievable and relevant to lots of areas of our community”. Northampton SOUP’s Tamsyn Payne
SOUP is event based, and run by volunteers, which means that everything happens over one meal and all the money raised goes to the successful applicant. Homemade soup and Good Loaf bread are served, adults donate a minimum of £5, four ideas are pitched, there’s a short Q&A and everyone, including children, votes. The winning idea takes away the money and then reports back at the next event on how their project has progressed.
If you have a brilliant idea that needs a bit of funding then you can have a look at Northampton SOUP on facebook or email hello.northamptonsoup@gmail.com for an application form and more information. The next event is Saturday May 20 at The Open Door, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church on Kettering Road.
Joe Brown’s picture above shows Northampton FGMCA winning the last event at The Black Prince to raise awareness of FGM in Northamptonshire and offer support to it’s victims.
