The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Food from the soul
A delicious aroma of homemade soup fills the air as a group of hungry diners tuck in... but this is no ordinary lunch in Dundee, as Caroline Lindsay finds out
It’s a glorious summer’s day in Dundee and in the cool interior of St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, around 20 people are sitting down to a nourishing bowl of piping hot soup. The Soup ‘n’ Soul lunch, held here every Wednesday, is a highlight of the week for diners – and it’s more than the promise of a good feed that draws them in.
The St Paul’s gathering is part of a network of organisations helping anyone in need in the city.
As the name suggests, it provides a hot bowl of homemade soup, bread, butter, cakes and a hot drink – but there is also company and comfort in abundance.
The Very Rev Jeremy Auld, provost of the cathedral, says: “The ‘soul’ bit is about community. There are many people around the city who not only look for physical sustenance but also for company.”
Today the diners include a young Big Issue seller who is on his way from Edinburgh to Aberdeen and is taking advantage of the tasty fare to keep him going for the next 24 hours.
There’s a beggar wrapped in a blanket who is a regular at the table. Nearby, a couple of elderly folk are enjoying a blether over lunch. Despite the different back stories and ages, the conversation flows freely and there’s no sense of awkwardness.
Jeremy believes the friendly welcome from volunteers, who include a recovered addict and cathedral staff is every bit as important, if not more so, as the soup itself.
“Most people ‘down on their luck’ have a story that they want to share,” he says.
“They want to be listened to and heard and this is a fundamental part of the Soup ‘n’ Soul ministry. It definitely does not seek to proselytise but the motivation is one rooted in Christ’s call to love one another and to hospitality.”
The mission
Soup ‘n’ Soul was set up in 2014-15 as part of the Dundee Centre of Mission.
Funded by donations from members of the cathedral and St Luke’s congregations, there’s no charge for soup or other items.
“It is open to anyone, although we do tend to have our regulars,” says Jeremy.
“Some are homeless, many are not. What they all have in common is the enjoyment of sharing in good soup and conversation in an atmosphere that never seeks to judge.
“Many people say that they look forward to Soup ‘n’ Soul as a highlight in their week.”
Thanks to the network of churches and other organisations, there’s a free hot meal somewhere every day of the week in Dundee, says Jeremy.
“There are, of course, the hostels that do great work, such as the Salvation Army, the Cyrenians, Transform etc and there are the foodbanks,” he adds.
“The Methodist Church has recently opened a clothes bank and the Steeple offers parish nursing but there is also a network of churches, charities and other voluntary organisations called DDI, which as well as being an acronym for Dundee Drop-Ins, plays on the city centre postcode of DD1.”
Sandwiches
Complementing the work of the DDI, a small Christian charity called Eagles Wings was founded about 17 years ago when founders Mike and Fiona Cordiner felt moved to try to help the many homeless folk they met during prayer walks in Dundee city centre.
They started off taking rucksacks full of sandwiches and flasks of hot drinks to the people they met and then evolved to cars, caravans and now a truck with an oven and fridge that takes to the streets four nights a week. Alison McDevitt, a volunteer with the charity, says: “We meet many different people – some have addictions or mental health problems, some are socially isolated or lonely. Almost without exception there is a history of poverty and pain.
“We welcome everyone who comes along with acceptance and warmth.”
Eagles Wings is also about changing attitudes towards the homeless, addicts and those with mental health problems and getting them the help they need.
“Often there are so many barriers to receiving help and care that it seems impossible to those facing crisis. This creates a catch-22 situation – trying to escape the cycle,” she explains.
“Luckily, there are many agencies working to help the homeless and addicted in Dundee and we have close links with the council Connect team, who offer advice.”
The charity has helped many people to escape their addictions by referring them to rehab and providing ongoing support.
“It is really encouraging for us when we get positive feedback,” says Alison.
“Folk often say they find our drop-in to be welcoming and accepting.”
They want to be listened to and heard and this is a fundamental part of the Soup ‘n’ Soul ministry