Soul is a community response to some deep community needs and funded by the community for the community.

With our plans and ambitious goal to fund and fit-out our new facility many throughout our community are asking. “How can I help?”  There are many ways to partner from individuals, families, schools, business, and community groups.

Some ways you can help;

• Fundraise for us by hosting your own event! Many people and organisations love to fundraise. If this is you, we can provide valuable resources to help you in your fundraising. A good start is to hop onto this link and connect with us.
• Become a regular financial supporter, or more affectionately known as a Soul Mate here
• Donation Touch Point, at your business close to your point of sale you can host a Donation Terminal, enquire here
• Financial Donations are all fully tax-deductible and welcomed here
• Subcontractors, Suppliers, and Individuals are invited to contribute their time and efforts to bring the Soul Hub building project to fruition. Email directly our friends at Insight Building Services here
• Adopt a Space or Item, you might like to gather a few work colleagues and adopt a space or item to fund in the new facility. This could be as big as a health clinic down to a table and chairs.
  • Table and 4 Chairs x38 – $450 each
  • Washing Machine x 2 (commercial) – $2,000 each
  • Cloths Dyer x2 (commercial) – $1,500 each
  • Wall mounted TV x4 – $500 each
  • Waiting room furniture x 8 – $450 each
  • Specialist Clinic Room – $30,000

We will be hosting Partnership Information Meetings in small groups (8-12 people) to help explore partnership options and to give you and your group a ‘soul experience’. Register your interest at events@soulhub.org.au or call (02) 4926 1758 and ask for Michelle or Matt.

Tickets to ‘The BIG ASK Gala Ball’ Friday 1st September, are now closed. Thank you to all who purchased a ticket or table, sponsored the event, donated an auction item or who spread the word. We can’t wait to host Newcastle at our Big Ask Gala Ball!

December 2023 – The Big Ask Garage Sale

We have a fair bit gear that we are making available by way of Marketplace and a “Big Ask Garage Sale” on Saturday 16^th December. Visit our socials for more information.

December 2023 – Opening Dates

With the building fit out complete our move in dates are clear.

Monday 4^th December our Administration goes live.

Our final Soul service on the corner of Hunter and Watt Streets concludes on Thursday 7^th December.

Sunday 10^th December Life Church has its first service.

Monday 11^th December all things Soul Hub go live!

November 2023 – Building Phase ends and Occupation Certificate is in hand.

Insight Building Services have led the many trades and contractors brilliantly well. Building handover will be the first week of December and our Occupation Certificate has been acquired. A couple of very big milestones for us.

November 2023 – Big Ask Volunteering at Soul Information Nights

Soul Hub works hard to provide a vibrant and meaningful community environment to volunteer in and we are often asked for information on volunteering at Soul.

If you are interested in volunteering, we would like to invite you to a Volunteering at Soul Information Night, click here to book a free ticket to one of our two Volunteering at Soul Information Nights (6:30pm November 13 & 16) at Soul Hub (Cnr Hunter & Watt Streets, Newcastle).

November 2023 – Soul Hub Building nears completion.

We are extremely thankful to our builders (Insight Building Services) and the many contractors who are making significant progress in the fit-out of our new facility. Throughout this process everyone is going above and beyond to see us move in early December!

October 2023 – Soul Hub Reaches 1.8 million dollars raised.

Soul has experienced an unprecedented community response to our Big Ask Donate to 1.8 fundraising initiative to fit out our new facility. We are quite overwhelmed and filled with great appreciation to announce we have hit the total of 1.8 million dollars! A Big Ask Thankyou to everyone who has generously contributed!

September 2023 – Soul Hub receives $500,000 grant

Minister for Regional New South Wales the Hon Tara Moriarty MLC announced Soul Hub along with 9 other grant recipients from the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund. Soul Hub will be receiving $500,000 towards the fit-out of our new facility, a significant boost to our Donate to 1.8 fundraising campaign!

Pictured – Rick and Tara

September 2023 – Soul Hub Big Ask Gala Ball

A significant announcement of support from the West Group of $300,000 through the 2023 Club Grants round was made. This brought our fundraising total to $1,164,723 with financial and in-kind donations at the start of the Gala.

Dr. Milton and Maureen Sales were honoured for their pioneering work in establishing the Soul Clinic in 2010. The Soul Clinic has provided specialised help by health professionals to our guests with the support of the Brunker Road Medical Practice managing a roster of doctors volunteering their time. This initiative has been the catalyst for many health professionals volunteering expertise in their chosen field and other services providing practical help. This work caused Soul to become more than a meal. Today it’s a convergence of help and we are thankful for the committed sacrificial work of Dr. Milton and Maureen Sales.

We are pleased to announce a further $157,559 was raised on the night bringing our Big Ask total to $1,322,282!

August 2023 – Construction Certificate

More progress, we have a Construction Certificate! This allows our Builders, Insight Building Services to start work. First step will be to cut through concrete ready for the Goods Lift to be installed then internal walls will be going up.

August 2023 – DA APPROVED!

We are thrilled to announce our DA for 437 Hunter Street has been approved by the City of Newcastle. Our next steps is to secure a Construction Certificate that will trigger development on site.

August 2023 – Donation Tap Terminals

On the back of Mr. Sister Coffee support Donation Tap Terminals begin to role out. Now located at Café Inu, Ka-fey Café, Newy Burger Co, Queens Wharf Hotel, Three Monkeys and Goldbergs.

July 2023 – Fundraising for The Big Ask

The generosity of community continues to take place with a number of fundraisers being organised. Special thanks to Bishop Tyrell Anglican College, Merry Mellows, Soul Volunteers ‘The Big Ask High Tea’ and Prosperity all registering events.

June 2023 – Soul Hub goes public with BIG Announcements

Soul’s CEO Rick Prosser goes public with the Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation with Chair and Founder Tracy Norman, ISNF CEO Coralie Nichols and Insight Building Services Luke Finlay. 

BIG Announcements

• Partnership between Soul Hub and the Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation at 437 Hunter Street 1^st floor, purpose designed, 40% larger, increased seating and service capacity for the next 10 years.
• The BIG ASK campaign launched. With an estimated $1.8 million dollar fit out cost Soul invites community to Donate to 1.8.

June 2023 – The BIG ASK Gala Announced

Soul Hub announces The BIG ASK Gala on 1^st September 2023.

June 2023 – Insight Building Services Community Call

Subcontractors, Suppliers and Individuals are invited to contribute their time and efforts to bring the Soul Hub building project to fruition. Email mail@insightbuildingservices.com.au

June 2023 – ISNF Improves Building Facilities

The ISNF confirms their contribution towards the new facility fit-out with building improvements of toilet facilities, additional internal goods lift.

May 2023 – Sleepout for Soul 

Some 439 people participated in the Sleepout for Soul raising over $180,000. CEO Rick Prosser shares future plans for Soul Hub with those in attendance with the Sleepout for Soul funds going towards the fit-out of the new facility.

April 2023 – Building Costs Estimated

With plans fully developed Aplas Quantity Surveryors estimate cost of fitting out the purposed designed facility for Soul Hub to be in the vicinity of $1.8 million.

March 2023 – Life Church Gifts towards Soul Hub.

Life Church, the church behind Soul Hub launches its Dare to Dream month and receives gifts of over $80,000 towards the new building costs.

March 2023 – Soul Café rebrands to Soul Hub

Soul Café rebrand exercise was led by their friends at Out of the Square, OOTS. Whilst café served Soul well over the years Soul has become more than a meal. Soul Hub is a fitting description of the convergence of volunteers and services that provide to our community.

February 2023 – DA lodged with City of Newcastle

Early February Soul Café lodges plans for approval to City of Newcastle.

November 2022 – INSIGHT BUILDING SEVICES Appointed.

Soul Café confirms Luke Finlay and Newcastle based building firm Insight Building Services appointed as the principle builder.

September 2022 – CKDS Architects Appointed.

Award winning Newcastle based CKDS Architects appointed. Engaged and work begins towards a purpose designed facility for the future of Soul Café.

July 2022 – ISNF Secure 437 Hunter Street

We received confirmation that 437 Hunter Street has been secured by the ISNF with level 1 being provided to Soul Café, approximately 40% more space than occupied at current location.

November 2021 – 437 Hunter Street

At the invitation of the ISNF a walk-through of a potential property 437 Hunter Street took place. At the time of the walk-through the property was not on the market yet looked to be a suitable location and size for both Soul Café and the future aspirations of the ISNF.

October 2021 – ISNF Board Unanimous Support for Soul Café

The journey towards a new home for Soul Café was given further assurance with the ISNF Board resolving to provide in-principal support to donate the cost of rental for Soul Café to from a building yet to be purchased.

September 2021 – Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation (ISNF)

Out of nowhere we received an invitation for a Zoom meet and greet with Tracy Norman (Founder and Chair) and Coralie Nichols (CEO) from the Ian and Shirley Norman Foundation. This led to an offer to support Soul Café with a venue rent free for 10 years.