The Retrospective Blog - 2. 'Preston Soup' - 29/03/20
Mar, 29 2020
~Welcome to week two of ‘The Retrospective Blog’. Each week until we can return to normality I’ll be looking back at some of the events The CCG has had the pleasure to be involved. This week I’m focusing on ‘Preston Soup’.
This was an American import which began in 2010. ‘Detroit Soup’ brings together local people over food, debate and their ‘pitch’ which could mean a potential future investment that will greatly benefit the city.
Since it was launched in the States it has raised £63,000 with the figures increasing each financial year.
Successful examples from Detroit Soup range from a new sign for a community centre to a mobile tool lending library on wheels to the promotion of a kids’ summer camp teaching ways to live, eat, and be healthy.
UCLAN, The Creative Network and The Larder were so inspired by the Detroit version they decided to have a go at a UK based one. A crowd funding project was agreed for Preston.
On Wednesday 24th February 2016 ‘Preston Soup’ was launched at Dice and Donuts Café in the city centre. The café’s owner, Millie Lavelle, was an active supporter of the UCLAN Creative Communities Group which helped to co-ordinate the new initiative.
A small donation fee upon entry ( £3.50) allows attendees to receive soup, salad, bread, a vote and hear four presentations covering:-
- Art
- Urban agriculture
- Social justice
- Social entrepreneurs
- Education
- Technology
Each presenter has four minutes to share their idea and answer four questions from the audience. Over good food and drink each candidate’s proposal is analysed by means of a formal paper. At the conclusion of the evening, the ballots are counted and the winner goes home with all of the money donated to carry out their project. Winners come back to a future Soup dinner to report on their project’s progress.
Four years ago a series of staff and students from three UCLAN Schools worked with community representatives Nigel Stewart and Caroline Waring from Creative Network and Kay Johnson from The Larder to develop the idea and plan the first Preston Soup. The aim was to encourage more community groups and local businesses to get involved to help support future Preston Soup events.
The ideology behind Preston Soup was to work with the local community to create an environment where they can swap ideas and work collaboratively, creating a sense of neighbourhood pride by bringing people together.
Since it’s inception in 2016 it’s become an excellent out-reach project to reach many local people who are trailblazers in their field of expertise. It’s experienced a high percentage of young people speaking confidently about what they believe and, more importantly their belief to make it happen.
^ Alex Ashworth CCG UK Blogger.
