• Get Involved
Find your way to make a difference
There are many ways to support Newbury Soup Kitchen. Whether you give money, donate useful items, volunteer your time, fundraise or support us through your business, every act of help keeps food, care and practical support available across our community.
More than just soup
Your donation keeps support available
Our preferred method of donation is here via Beacon where you can also use your gift aid allowance. Financial donations help us plan ahead, buy essential supplies and keep support available for people facing hardship, homelessness or isolation across Newbury.
Volunteer
Become a volunteer
Volunteers are at the heart of Newbury Soup Kitchen. From helping at sessions and preparing food to outreach, admin and practical support, there are many ways to get involved.
How will it help?
Make a real difference, meet new people and be part of a community that genuinely cares.
What do volunteers do?
Session support, food prep, outreach, admin, fundraising, driving and more.
Who can volunteer?
Anyone over 18 who is kind, reliable and willing to help. All volunteers need to undergo a DBS check.
How do I become a volunteer?
Apply online using the button below. We’ll have an informal chat and match you with the right role.
For local businesses
Join the Soup Dragons
If your business is committed to making a meaningful difference locally, becoming a Newbury Soup Dragon is a powerful way to create lasting social value in the community you serve.
Create real social value
Make a visible, lasting difference in the community your business serves.
Help us plan ahead
Regular support means we can respond to local need with confidence.
Stand alongside your community
Join a trusted local charity committed to dignity and care for all.
Fundraising
Fundraise your own way!
Bring people together and help keep food, care and practical support available across Newbury. From quiz nights and sponsored challenges to workplace fundraisers and community events, every idea can make a real difference.
Celebrate for a cause
Birthdays, weddings or anniversaries — ask for donations instead of gifts.
Fundraise at work
Dress-down days, bake sales or payroll giving — get your workplace involved.
Take on a challenge
Run, walk, cycle or swim — set yourself a challenge and raise sponsorship.
Run a community event
Coffee morning, concert or bake sale — bring your community together.
Host a quiz night
Gather friends, colleagues or neighbours for a night of brain-teasing fun.
The easiest way at the moment is to visit our Amazon Wish List which we keep this list fresh with the items we need.
I want to donate. What items do you need?
Similar to clothing donations, we ask that all sleeping bags be washed, dried and aired prior to donation. We respectfully request they should be of a nearly new condition without holes, rips or tears.
We can accept brand new, but unfortunately we are not able to accept previously used duvets for personal hygiene reasons.
Can I donate some used sleeping bags and duvets?
If you do not think your old clothing will suit our needs, then there are a number of recycle facilities for fabrics and clothing around Newbury. Tesco at Pinchington Lane near the retail park as a clothing collection point and also the West Berkshire Recycling Centre on Newtown Road are two examples.
If dropping off to the Recycling Centre, please do not forget your entry permit.
If you don't want the used clothing, who does?
We can typically accept most items of clothing, though we ask that you contact us first as sometimes we have excess stocks of some garments. We ask that all items of clothing be washed, dried and aired prior to donation. We respectfully request that clothing should be of a nearly new condition without holes, rips or tears. Similarly we request that donated items come from a smoke free and pet free household.
We are not able to accept underwear for personal hygiene reasons.
I have some previously worn/used clothes that I would like to donate. What used clothing items can I donate?
Our homeless and rough sleepers do take away food from us at the end of each session. Plastic potted foods like Pot Noodles, Quaker Oat So Simple Pots or Mugshot Pasta and Noodle flavours are easy to be transported and eaten with simple boiled water.
So, what food products do you need?
This can be tricky and a difficult one to answer. We have a strong supply chains in situ from the local supermarkets, bakeries and cafes which provide ready made and raw ingredients. As we are only open on a Thursday evening, we plan our meal menu from the supermarket supplies. Adhoc provision of unused food from catering companies can be difficult logistically. Our friends at Loose Ends are open five days a week. Perhaps they would be interested?
I have a catering company and can donate unused food too. Will that help?
We receive a fantastic source of food donations from local suppliers such as supermarkets and bakeries. We are also able to source ingredients from the Foodbank. Sometimes the generosity of the public is so overwhelming that we end up donating some food back to the Foodbank. We recommend that if you have any unwanted packet or tinned food, then you please contact the Foodbank in the first instance.
I have found some foodstuff in my pantry/larder that I no longer need. Are they any good to you?
We are afraid we cannot accept such donations of homemade food. We have to adhere to strict protocols to maintain our Food Hygiene Rating and we insist that anybody who cooks for us has the Food Hygiene Level 2 qualification too. Allowing outside or third party cooking could render us in breach of these protocols.
I have some homemade cooking I would like donate. How can I get this to you?
Simply for safeguarding reasons, people under the age of 18 are unable to volunteer at the Soup Kitchen. Sorry.
Do You Allow Child Volunteers?
Our need for volunteers changes on a regular basis. Please keep an eye out for positions appearing on our Facebook and Twitter social media channels and also our Volunteers Wanted page too. Please be aware that an Enhanced DBS check for vulnerable adults is required and we ask for (and check) references.
How do I volunteer at the Newbury Soup Kitchen?
Absolutely yes. Unfortunately we are unable to allow people under the age of 18 into the Soup Kitchen during opening hours. We would welcome you to come along during our session setup, anytime between 4:30pm and 5:30pm.
We will be happy to explain to the youngsters what the Soup Kitchen is all about and how they can help. All we ask is that you contact us to make an appointment in the first instance so we can allocate you some time.
We are a school or children's club and would like to drop off our donations in person. Is this OK?
We normally have some 15 to 20 volunteers and between 45 and 55 clients during our weekly sessions. This obviously can be very busy for us. We respectfully ask that you make an appointment if you wish to visit us within our opening hours. You are welcome between 16.30pm and 17.30pm to drop off donations.
Can I drop in and witness the hard work you are doing?
Questions, answered with care
Anything else you'd like to know? Just reach out — we're happy to help.