It might not look like much now, but by the time Christmas tunes are being played on the radio, the team behind Soul Hub is hoping the space atop Level One, 437 Hunter Street, is buzzing with activity. 

The Newcastle-based charity, that is dedicated to helping the city’s most vulnerable, announced on Thursday morning that it would soon be taking up residence in a newer, bigger central address. 

And, once it has undergone a complete fit out, the organisation which assists thousands of people each year, will open the doors of its new home. 

“We never had a dream to build a big organisation or a brand,” says Soul Hub CEO Rick Prosser.  

“We had no vision to do that sort of thing. 

“But, we had a deep conviction to do what we can with whatever we have for those who come in through our door, they are some of the most vulnerable people in our community.” 

‘The Hug’ will include seating for up to 150 people, a full commercial kitchen, engagement rooms for doctors and health specialists, a laundry service, as well as health and wellbeing spaces. 

“We provide everything from a hot meal to drug and alcohol programs, accommodation assistance and laundry service,” said Rick.

“Our guests receive comfort, food, friendship, and a helping hand in numerous forms – think haircuts, podiatry, dental and legal-aid.

“Most importantly we deliver hope to our guests, hope that people care and lives can transform.”

The new premises is 40% larger than Soul Hub’s current home at 49 Hunter Street. 

Rick continued by announcing that thanks to a partnership with the Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation, Soul Hub would take up residence in the Hunter Street address rent free for the next 10 years. 

“We are so excited and proud for this day,” said ISNF chair Tracey Norman. 

“It’s been a while coming now. 

“We’ve been established almost two years and Matt and Rick and Sue and the gang at Soul Hub, or then Soul Café, were the very first people that we contacted about supporting. 

“We’re so excited for you guys.” 

Ms Norman said the foundation would be working closely with Soul Hub thanks to a shared ethos for supporting vulnerable members of the community. 

“That’s what the building is all about,” she said. 

“It’s 437 Hunter Street, but it’s actually called ‘The Hug’. 

And, with a hug, the decade-long deal was sealed. 

But, that’s just the beginning. 

To reach this goal, Soul Hub requires $1.8 million, a mission it is passing on to the people of Greater Newcastle. 

“We know it’s a big ask and certainly many people in our community are doing it tough,” said Rick. 

“One of the beauties that’s emerged for us at Soul is it happens by the community for the community and so, we’re making a public call to our community. 

“Will you help us get to $1.8 million?” 

That’s what Soul Hub is calling its BIG ASK campaign. 

“We would encourage some of our community to host a BIG ASK fundraiser and you could do whatever you want with that,” said Rick. 

“You could have a BIG ASK morning tea, a golf day… 

“Businesses and organisations are welcome to make tax deductible donations or contributions to our BIG ASK Gala, which is on 1 September.” 

The community is also invited to purchase a chair for the new facility, the cost of which is $70, and it will seat a guest at any of the 624 meal services provided each year by Soul Hub. 

Thanks to ISNF, Life Church and Sleepout for Soul The BIG ASK campaign has already raised $705,000. 

The project’s principal builder Luke Finlay from Insight Building Services is also asking for limited funding to complete the task.

The statistics:

• Soul Hub has been serving the people of Newcastle since 2003.
• It has dished up 48,667 meals since its opened.
• It relies on its more than 200 volunteers to exist.
• Nearly one in every 200 Australians are currently homeless.
• An estimated one in five Australians aged 16-85 experience a mental health disorder each year.
• Nearly 50% of those experiencing homelessness have suffered a substance abuse problem, with roughly two-thirds of those occuring as a result of their homelessness.

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• Solving the Hunter’s housing crisis
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