Just over a year ago, the Chaplaincy team felt a nudge to establish a Friday night soup kitchen. Although the initiative was a collective decision, it was particularly encouraged by a resident who, like us, recognised a significant gap in local provision. At that time, there was no consistent food service available on Friday evenings for the street homeless or for residents within our community.
Guided by a desire to respond practically to human need, and to embody Jesus’s call to serve “the least of these,” we launched the soup kitchen on a cold January evening. We approached the first night with a sense of uncertainty, not knowing what to expect. Only four or five people attended, and rather than feeling discouraged, we simply followed the example of Jesus — meeting people where they were. We took the soup out into the streets and shared what we had with those we found.
Over time, God has faithfully expanded this ministry. Word spread, trust was built, and attendance gradually increased. After being listed on the local food map, our numbers grew significantly. We now regularly serve between 50 and 70 people each Friday evening. What began as a small act of compassion has become a weekly gathering where people can experience practical support, warmth, and human dignity.
Alongside the growth in attendance, the volunteer base has also expanded steadily. We now have more than ten dedicated volunteers from within the YMCA community and from local churches. One of the most profound outcomes of the soup kitchen has been the spiritual growth it has encouraged among volunteers. Many have developed a deeper understanding of what it means to serve in the way of Jesus — seeing the homeless not as a problem to be solved, but as beloved individuals made in God’s image. The ministry has nurtured compassion, humility, and a willingness to walk alongside others in their pain and vulnerability.
We have also been blessed with generous support from Wenzel’s Bakery, receiving regular donations from their Bournemouth and Southbourne stores. These contributions greatly supplement the homemade soup we provide and enable us to offer a more substantial and varied provision. The volume of food we are sometimes able to collect is significant, and it is a reminder of how God provides through community partnerships and generous hearts.
Friday nights in the YMCA canteen have become a meaningful and life-giving space. Beyond food, the environment offers warmth, shelter, companionship, and a sense of belonging. People are welcomed without judgment and are treated with dignity and respect. Importantly, the soup kitchen also provides opportunities for prayer, pastoral listening, and spiritual care — often in a very natural and unforced way. It is a place where lives can be heard, hopes can be shared, and burdens can be carried.
The impact of the ministry extends beyond Friday evenings. Some of those who connect with us through the soup kitchen later seek further support through the Chaplaincy. It is not uncommon for street-homeless individuals to knock on the Chaplaincy door (next door to the Westover Road YMCA) on Monday mornings, seeking a listening ear, prayer, and practical help.
One such example involves a young man who had recently found himself homeless and had no understanding of the pathways out of his situation. Through the Chaplaincy, he was accompanied to St Mungo’s, placed on their radar, and connected with the support he urgently needed. This is the kind of holistic care we aim to provide, addressing physical need while also offering spiritual and emotional support.
Feedback from those who use the soup kitchen highlights its impact. Tia, a resident of Delta Flats who occasionally attends, describes the service as:
“A warm and welcoming environment, and really helpful if you have no cash for food.”
The Friday night soup kitchen has grown from a small, tentative beginning into a trusted and flourishing ministry. It continues to meet a vital practical need while also embodying the Gospel through love, compassion, and presence. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve, and we continue to pray that this ministry will remain a place of hope, dignity, and transformation for all who come.
