The latest Wells SOUP! was a sell-out success which won praise from the new Bishop of Bath and Wells.

"What an inspiration. It is a magnificent event," said Bishop Michael, "And aren't we lucky to have this here?" 

He continued his praise in the sermon he gave in Wells Cathedral the following day, telling the congregation how Wells SOUP! works for the common good and saying: "Help was offered, money given and a good time had by all."

Then he recommended people go to the next one which will be on Saturday April 15 in the Connect Centre.

SOUP! is organised by Wells Independents whose Ross Young said: "Thank you everyone who came. We had a full house with a wonderful atmosphere and the venue reached its maximum capacity of 100."

First to speak was Carol Plenty from the YMCA who explained that the money the charity received at the previous SOUP! had been spent helping people in temporary accommodation pay their fuel bills.

Next was Helen McCann from Guide Dogs, the first of the three charities seeking support on Saturday.

She explained that they offer a lot more than training dogs for the blind, including free training to anyone who would like to train as a sighted guide for someone losing their sight and free speakers to talk about Guide Dogs and CustomEyes books.

These are large print books for children and young adults who are visually impaired or dyslexic. They are specially customised and printed with the chosen font, font size, colour of print and colour of pages to suit individual needs. 

These books are sold at the retail price for the book in its usual format.  A request for a customised copy of a Harry Potter novel amounted to 75,000 pages in 35 volumes but the cost to the recipient was £8.99. 

Next on the microphone was Suzanne Addicott from the Connect Centre who told they provide 10 services including homelessness advice, supported accommodation, drop-ins, activities, upskilling, signposting, volunteer opportunities and a church.

"Community Connect is a continuation of the work that has been done over the last 15 years for the community and is a rapidly evolving service whose focus now extends well beyond previous target domains of Rough Sleeping and Homelessness, though we continue to assist a plethora of people for whom these remain primary issues of concern," said Suzanne. 

"Since its inception in April 2022 the Community Connect team has also been providing support to an ever-increasing number of local residents struggling with issues from navigating physical and mental health systems to optimising benefit eligibilities, from accessing crisis food resources to combatting social isolation, from identifying and accessing other specialist support services to personalised advocacy across diverse processes and settings. 

"The team frequently transports individuals to key appointments that would otherwise prove unachievable and provides support at these to optimise outcomes. Our daily drop-ins provide a social lifeline to a burgeoning cohort for whom connection and community are fundamental to well-being."

The third charity representative on the stage was Madeleine Hellier from the Mothers' Union which supports victims of domestic abuse – often children. 

"They often run to a safe haven with nothing but what they are standing up in.  So emergency items are needed," said Madeleine.

For acrimonious broken marriages the Mothers' Union offer Child Contact Centres where the non-resident parent can spend time with their children under supervision.  

They also make knitted blankets for the elderly and homeless, also an online Student Cookbook for those going away to college who have never cooked.

The speakers all answered questions from the floor and then the audience voted.

The Connect Centre got most votes and received £400 while the Guide Dogs and Mothers' Union were given £200 each.

"Thanks to Probusiness of Wells who match-funded the money taken on the door," said Ross.

"Also the delicious soups made by the Blue School's catering students with vegetables given by Waitrose, red wine from the Bishop's Eye, rolls from Burns the Bread, white wine, beer and soft drinks from Morrisons, and flowers from Micky in Wells Market."