For Bedford’s homeless community, as the nights draw in, and temperatures drop, day-to-day survival can be a real challenge.  The pavement is a hard mattress, a damp sleeping bag a poor excuse for a duvet, and any kind of future, apart from getting through the night unscathed can be almost impossible to imagine. SoupFest is trying to help.

So what exactly is SoupFest? SoupFest is an annual festival of soup celebrating Bedfordshire’s talented chefs & raising money for the homeless at the same time. Local businesses and volunteers pull together in order to set up and run the one day event, selling homemade soup donated by restaurants from across the county – from Paris House to The Plough at Bolnhurst – and bread from our local bakeries.

Local choirs and musicians perform throughout the day, entertaining the SoupFesters and encouraging them to stop a while and talk to each other, making new friends and reacquainting themselves with old ones.

In addition to this, local homeless organisations are invited to be a part of the day. They are at the event to tell the public about the services they provide, and listen to any concerns or queries people might have about the rough sleepers in Bedford. They can also share information about how the public might be able to help alleviate some of the issues surrounding the homelessness issue in Bedford.

Emma Garrett, local business woman, established SoupFest in 2017, inspired by a similar event in Jersey. Emma said:

“In the past three years we have been able to issue grants that have been of direct benefit to Bedford’s homeless population in a number of ways.  For example, some of the money we have raised has gone to help purchase a washing machine and dryer for the Salvation Army so rough sleepers can wash their clothes. We have paid for replacement birth certificates and passports in order to provide ID to claim benefits via the King’s Arms Project. We have paid for starter packs for people moving from homelessness into YMCA hostels and we have funded soup and sandwiches for outreach work in Bedford Town Centre by Emmaus Village.  Small grants can really make an enormous difference.”

Local business owner Rob Birnie, had this to say:

“SoupFest, as well as being such an enjoyable event, reminds you of how fortunate you are to have access to food, company and a roof over your head. It helps people who don’t have what many of us take for granted”

SoupFest is here to help the homeless community. Please show your support on Tuesday 3rd December 11.30am – 3.30pm in the Harpur Square.