Outreach and Support Services
The Newbury Soup Kitchen has expanded its services to support people experiencing homelessness, vulnerably housed, and our community who are struggling day to day in Newbury and West Berkshire.
Our Dedicated Team
We are fortunate to have a compassionate team of staff and volunteers with extensive experience in homelessness, mental health, and substance misuse—whether through lived experience or years of working with vulnerable communities.
Health & Wellbeing Support
- Health Outreach Team: Amanda our community nurses visit our weekly outreach sessions Tuesday and Thursdays to provide essential medical care for individuals who struggle to access traditional health services.
- Tuesdays: St John’s Church, Newbury (2-4 PM)
- Thursdays: Salvation Army Hall (6-7 PM)
- Eye Health Services: Eye tests and assessments during our Tuesday/Thursday sessions. Appointments are required, but these services are crucial in detecting medical conditions beyond vision issues.
- Haircuts: Every Thursday evening, Kate—a professional hairdresser, retired paramedic, and first-aider—provides free haircuts to those in need. She also serves as our part-time outreach worker.
- Foot Care: Before COVID-19, a specialist provided bi-weekly foot care services. We are actively seeking a volunteer to revive this service. In the meantime, a local volunteer is available for individual appointments as needed.
- Dental Support: We work closely with the Community Dental Team and refer clients whenever possible.
Keeping Our Community Safe
Many of our clients have underlying health conditions and are unvaccinated, so we take every precaution to ensure their safety. Our outreach services also include when necessary.
- Seasonal Vaccinations: Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines are available as part of our outreach program.
- Lateral Flow Testing: Free COVID-19 tests are provided during our Thursday session at the Salvation Army Hall (6-7 PM).
At Newbury Soup Kitchen, we offer much more than just soup. All our outreach services are free of charge, ensuring support for those who need it most.
Tuesdays
Eye tests & Eye Health checks
- PIP and UC application form support from Newbury Soup Kitchen Outreach workers.
- Community Nurses (Health Outreach Liaison team HOLT)
- Fuel debt and Utility issue support
- UC and PIP support to include form filling and phone calls.
- Chiropody (appointment only)
- Sovereign Housing Tenancy support rent arrears and general support
- Outreach workers from the Rough Sleeper Team of West Berkshire Council drop in too.
- Liver Health Checks and Scanning with Fibroscan
And we can provide additional clothing, hats, gloves and camping items too. We aim to assist where we can.
Thursdays
- Haircuts weekly with Kate
- Samaritan face to face supports every week
- Community Nurses (Health Outreach Liaison team HOLT)
- Fuel debt and Utility issue support monthly
- Drug and Alcohol Service support weekly
- Support from our experienced team
- Face to Face one to one help with benefit help and benefit applications
- Hep C Testing through the Hep C Trust NHS
- Liver Health Checks and Scanning with Fibroscan
by West Berkshire Council
