Twist Soup Kitchen on the docks

swiftman

galway advertiser
''Nobody should go hungry in this city — if you are out there today, down on your luck, and don't have access to a hot meal or even a cup of tea/coffee, a soup kitchen has been opened at the docks, near VP Motors, where people can get fed. It is run by a man called Oliver Williams who said he is doing this because he availed of the same service in London as a youngster. Pass the word around, because there are people going hungry this day. Please share.
The background is that it is called twist and is a charity set up by Oliver Williams and Mike Reilly. They receive no funding but they ask people who can afford to make a small donation to do so. Food is kindly donated by Mike Walsh Butchers, Athenry. The kitchen is open from 10-4 Mon to Friday and 10-12 Saturday.''

Oliver can be contacted at <no mail, PM user for this info thanks>

this is great and was badly needed.

Diabhal Beag

Passed it driving through the Docks. Great idea and fair play to them.

Tym

Were there not any before? Really suprised if there weren't:O

Mrs OBumble

swiftman wrote: »

galway advertiser
...
The background is that it is called twist and is a charity set up by Oliver Williams and Mike Reilly. They receive no funding but they ask people who can afford to make a small donation to do so.....
this is great and was badly needed.

Badly needed - by who?

Cope, Simon and VdP do a pretty thorough job of looking after the people who really do fall between the cracks of the health and welfare systems. I'm not at all convinced that another agency which provides un co-ordinated services that don't address the underlying problems is a good idea.

Especially on the docks, just before the VOR comes to town.


And there's a bit of me that's saying "a guy called Oliver, setting up a service called Twist ... yeah, right, how every Dickinsonian". Pics or GTOF ...

JohnCleary

JustMary wrote: »

Badly needed - by who?

Cope, Simon and VdP do a pretty thorough job of looking after the people who really do fall between the cracks of the health and welfare systems. I'm not at all convinced that another agency which provides un co-ordinated services that don't address the underlying problems is a good idea.

Especially on the docks, just before the VOR comes to town.


And there's a bit of me that's saying "a guy called Oliver, setting up a service called Twist ... yeah, right, how every Dickinsonian". Pics or GTOF ...

I've offered to do a bit of volunteer work helping out in the kitchen as I do a bit with COPE Galway.

If I do end up chipping in a hand i'll revert back to you with that I make of the place (not that i'm an expert in the field)

ben.schlomo

JustMary wrote: »

Badly needed - by who?

Cope, Simon and VdP do a pretty thorough job of looking after the people who really do fall between the cracks of the health and welfare systems. I'm not at all convinced that another agency which provides un co-ordinated services that don't address the underlying problems is a good idea.

Especially on the docks, just before the VOR comes to town.


And there's a bit of me that's saying "a guy called Oliver, setting up a service called Twist ... yeah, right, how every Dickinsonian". Pics or GTOF ...

Jesus what happened to you in a soup kitchen!!! :rolleyes:

Mrs OBumble

ben.schlomo wrote: »

Jesus what happened to you in a soup kitchen!!! :rolleyes:

Nothing.

And I've volunteered in one, which was part of a network of social-service providers that shared information and made sure that people were getting their benefit entitlements, housing, medications, etc.

But there's always a risk that un co-ordinated initiatives like this actually just make problems worse: there are always some people who say "why stay at home in Limerick or Headford or Cork or whatever - where people make me take responsibility for the consequences of my actions - when I can cruise up to Galway, get free food, and get by sleeping rough." (they might not use those words, but it's the basic pattern).

inisboffin

Sleeping rough in Galway weather is not something I would wish on anyone. I'd say any that 'chose' it would cop on fairly quickly.
Some people make bad choices and can't get out of the hole without a helping hand. I wouldn't begrudge anyone a hot meal, whether poor, alcoholic, junkie whatever.

Do ye really think it will attract homeless people to Galway? There are plenty more services like this in Dublin.

Seaneh

I think it's a great idea, the current infrastructure means that groups like the simon community are over stretched, they do a greta job but there is only so much they actually can do.

This idea is great, in cork they have Cork Penny Dinners and the numerous soup kitchens around Dublin.

This will in no way adversely affect the efforts of other charities and ffs, how could someone having a small meal and a mug of tea be a bad thing?

There are people who do skip meals regularly around these parts to make ends meet and hopefully this will mean they don't have to do that any more.

Mrs OBumble

inisboffin wrote: »

Sleeping rough in Galway weather is not something I would wish on anyone. I'd say any that 'chose' it would cop on fairly quickly.
Some people make bad choices and can't get out of the hole without a helping hand. I wouldn't begrudge anyone a hot meal, whether poor, alcoholic, junkie whatever.

Do ye really think it will attract homeless people to Galway? There are plenty more services like this in Dublin.

It's not about begrudging, it's about delivering services in a way that really does offer a hand-up, rather than a handout.

And yes, I really do think it would attract people. I've enquired before why Galway has such a high level of services for its population, and apparently the answer is that Galway is already a magnet town - sure it's a grand place to be down and out - party town, with lots of tourists to beg from.


Re the folks skipping meals to make ends meet: they need advocacy to make sure they're getting their benefit and housing entitlements, budgeting and shopping help to make good use of those entitlements - and if all that fails (there are some who fall through the rules), donated materials so they can make their own meals. Just giving them cooked food lets the welfare system off the hook, and creates more dependency.

Soup kitchens have their place, but I just don't see Galway as large enough to need one.

inisboffin

JustMary wrote: »

It's not about begrudging, it's about delivering services in a way that really does offer a hand-up, rather than a handout.

And yes, I really do think it would attract people. I've enquired before why Galway has such a high level of services for its population, and apparently the answer is that Galway is already a magnet town - sure it's a grand place to be down and out - party town, with lots of tourists to beg from.


Re the folks skipping meals to make ends meet: they need advocacy to make sure they're getting their benefit and housing entitlements, budgeting and shopping help to make good use of those entitlements - and if all that fails (there are some who fall through the rules), donated materials so they can make their own meals. Just giving them cooked food lets the welfare system off the hook, and creates more dependency.

Soup kitchens have their place, but I just don't see Galway as large enough to need one.

I was speaking personally when I said about not begrudging anyone re a bowl of soup. Honestly I still disagree - I don't think a bowl of stew a day is enough to attract anyone to Galway. If people are donating soup then great! If people can throw in a few quid, then great. The 'pay what you can' model works better here than most places (could it be Catholic guilt?).;)

Food not bombs fed people for a good while and there was no problem. They simply got food that would have been tossed and gave it to people. No questions asked, just food. I don't think they do it here anymore, but they do it in other places. Anything that recycles and isn't wasteful is ok in my book.

I do agree with your points about needing infrastructure, but I also think larger cities, with such infrastructure and possibilities for the homeless are way more likely to draw people. From chatting to someone who works in the 'services' Galway apparently now has the reputation of being 'hardass' in terms of the social welfare, rent allowance etc. I think 20 years ago I would have agreed with you more about Galway being an easier place to be unemployed (more arty people per capita etc) but now I don't think so. No more signing on from your tent in the swamp!:p

GalwayGaillimh

Well the guy who set up the soup kitchen hearts sure is in the right place, Fair play to him.

LucyBliss

JustMary wrote: »

And yes, I really do think it would attract people. I've enquired before why Galway has such a high level of services for its population, and apparently the answer is that Galway is already a magnet town - sure it's a grand place to be down and out - party town, with lots of tourists to beg from.

Galway reminds me a bit of Vancouver in that respect. Both are magnet cities (though I haven't been in Vancouver lately so I can't tell you how if it's changed the past few years) because they're on the West coast and yes, it rains but it's milder than other parts of the country. So people may find it 'easier' to manage for a while.

Over the last week, I've seen two people sitting begging around Eyre Square with 'homeless & hungry' signs and I wouldn't be surprised if there were more over the next few months. Going on face value, it would seem that there is need for such a soup kitchen.

Mrs OBumble

LucyBliss wrote: »

Over the last week, I've seen two people sitting begging around Eyre Square with 'homeless & hungry' signs ...

Don't believe everything you read on a sign.

Just sayin' like.

LucyBliss

That's why I said, 'going on face value'. I'm not that naive.

inisboffin

LucyBliss wrote: »

Galway reminds me a bit of Vancouver in that respect. Both are magnet cities (though I haven't been in Vancouver lately so I can't tell you how if it's changed the past few years) because they're on the West coast and yes, it rains but it's milder than other parts of the country. So people may find it 'easier' to manage for a while.

Vancouver BC actually popped into my mind when I was thinking about the 'migration' of homeless, junkies etc to one part of a country to another, but in a way it strengthened my belief that this is *not* happening in Galway.

BC has an infrastructure of support that is often not found in smaller regions of Canada. The weather there is *significantly* an improvement for those who sleep outdoors, particularly in winter, when many parts of Canada is well below freezing. BC (although having some rain) is *way* milder, with warm summers.

This is *not* the case for Galway. We all know how much sh*tter the rain and wind is on the West coast than S/SE/E. If I were sleeping rough, give me Dublin or Cork anyday! Dublin has much better infrastructure, as does Cork for example. I love Galway, but Vancouver actually has proper summers!

Stevolende

apparently the main focus right now is getting people aware of the existence of the place.
Did occur to me that maybe getting a food not bombs like stall outside of Lynch's Castle a couple of times, which I think has been suggested being revived anyway might be an idea. Food not bombs had its own reasons for being but could raise awareness and be telling people that there is a service going on 6 days a week down on the docks.
Not sure what the story is on supply of the docks place since Food not bombs was relying on donations of food that would otherwise be going to waste at the end of the week. Heard that docks place relied on donations of food to some extent too so wasn't sure if that would have meant an overlap.

Just think I'd heard somebody was thinking of reviving Food not Bombs and thought it could serve yet another purpose.

It has been suggested that a poster campaign for the place might work too.
But definitely getting word of mouth spread as much as possible would be ideal. Also getting donations to the place going in. Plus doing whatever it takes to remove the stigma of eating in a soup kitchen, heard it suggested that getting the man in the street to eat in there might help but could see that being abused, to it just being seen as a cheap place to eat and not donate to.
Heard that food is cooked by an out of work chef so food should be pretty decent.

thenakedchef

Correct me if i am wrong but is this service offering free meals to people who cant afford it?

snubbleste

Dunno. I presume they have a means test form to fill out on entry.

Stevolende

From what I was told there are no questions asked and supposedly no weird looks given but the fact of it being a free food service may mean it carries a stigma to people. So somebody I was talking to was suggesting trying to get it better known and normalised by getting people to eat there and leave large donations.

But yeah, free food paid for by donation was what I understood.
I might understand the supply wrong though.

& its not a massive place from what I've seen of it. It took over the garage just up from the docks. So I got to look in when I was looking for the job fair on Saturday.

Geddie1

Hi, does anyone know where Twist Soup Kitchen is on the docks in Galway city? I want to volunteer there during Christmas but I can't find it. It's run by Oliver Williams but none of the articles I've read about him display any contact details and I can't find any phone number on 11850 or the net? I drove down by the docks a number of times looking for it to no avail..! Anyone??

emptybladder

Google is generally a good place to start.

http://www.twistsoupkitchen.com

thesandeman

Turn left at very bottom of Eyre Sq. Go straight down to Victoria Hotel. Turn right at end and its a few doors up near the hostel.

Mrs OBumble

Pretty much directly across the road from number 3 on the Docks neighbourhood map.

Last time I looked, there was no signage outside when it's closed, which may be why you couldn't spot it.

Hint: if they ask you to hold a collection bucket on Shop St, make sure you have the right permit on you. I saw the guards taking a collection bucket off someone the other week.

bigpink

This guy is getting alot of coverage whats his background?

snubbleste

bigpink wrote: »

This guy is getting alot of coverage whats his background?

Pop down and ask him. Make sure to donate some food.

bigpink

Im in Limerick!!Wondering was he some secret millionare type

snubbleste

Call him.
Google for the establishment. Simple.

biko

Some info there on the webpage.

bigpink

So long as its about the charity and service im happy

Edgedinblue

Popped in there last week with the girls from slimming world. We dropped in a few boxes of food. They were delighted to be given the stuff. We were given cups of tea and coffee straight away. We were told it's all donations and voluntary. There's a butcher somewhere in town who gives them meat as well, which is brilliant! they have a little table set up near the door for anyone who may be too shy or embarrassed to pop in and ask for something to eat. There's another Twist after opening up in Athlone I think too

SalthillGuy

GalwayGaillimh wrote: »

Well the guy who set up the soup kitchen hearts sure is in the right place, Fair play to him.

Fair play to the guy who set up the soup kitchen.
I have heard nothing but good about this.
I donated a few bob online - this is the link
I hear he has also setup one in Athlone.

antoobrien

bigpink wrote: »

This guy is getting alot of coverage whats his background?

A little google helps, there's a fair few articles around about this and there was a piece about it on RTE news sometime earlier this year.

Anyhow, here's a bit from thejournal.ie

It transpires that Williams set up this soup kitchen after being on the receiving end of help from one in another country.

Many years ago when I was 15 I left home from rural Ireland and found myself on the streets of London. I had no place to stay and I found a place called Centrepoint in Soho.”

There, he was provided with “a hot meal, a bed and good advice.” It put him on a good track when he could have gone down a bad one at such a young age, he said.

Williams, who said he has “always been a giver”, never forgot the gift that this centre gave to him when he was a young man at a time of need. Having returned to Ireland around 15 years ago, he was here to experience the recession when the Celtic Tiger days came to an end in his home country.

A qualified pilot, he operated a helicopter at the height of the boom, but his job was a victim of the economic collapse. Williams became aware that “people were not cutting it with money” in Ireland, especially single mothers with children; that surveys showed homes were short of food; and that children were going to school hungry.

Instead of sitting back and waiting for things to right themselves, he was inspired by his own experience to start a soup kitchen of his own – and Twist was opened in Galway in June.

pudgeydev

I drive that way home every day and there's always someone out with a bucket looking for donations, except for the day there was a patrol car behind me and the collectors disappeared inside.

Bit annoying to be honest, having someone at the car window every day looking for change.

irisheddie85

pudgeydev wrote: »

I drive that way home every day and there's always someone out with a bucket looking for donations, except for the day there was a patrol car behind me and the collectors disappeared inside.

Bit annoying to be honest, having someone at the car window every day looking for change.

I have seen their bucket collectors disappear at the sight of Gardai as well. Maybe their permits aren't up to date

biko

Maybe they don't want to risk trying out the new 'aggressive begging' law.

Shanley

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/575193_444071388982442_560362787_n.jpg

One of tomorrows headlines, stating city planners have ordered them to cease operating? Seems a bit unfair, I hope they dont go down without a fight!

PomBear

Shanley wrote: »

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/575193_444071388982442_560362787_n.jpg

One of tomorrows headlines, stating city planners have ordered them to cease operating? Seems a bit unfair, I hope they dont go down without a fight!

I'd love to hear what justification they have for that...

Seaneh

I'd imagine that the premises doesn't have a permit to serve food and hasn't been passed as fit for the use by health and safety. That said, I am sure his truck has.

Mrs OBumble

PomBear wrote: »

I'd love to hear what justification they have for that...

Everyone else has to have planning, and a cert from the health inspector to serve food. No different for these lads.

Seaneh

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Everyone else has to have planning, and a cert from the health inspector to serve food. No different for these lads.

Well, planning wouldn't be an issue, they are operating out of a truck inside the building. They might need a permit for the canopy they have pitched inside.

As for heath and safety, I'd be almost certain he's had the truck approved, it's not hard to do and costs little or nothing.

swiftman

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Everyone else has to have planning, and a cert from the health inspector to serve food. No different for these lads.

no thats wrong. i serve food at home to family and friends, i dont need a cert from health and safety.
you need a cert if you SELL food.

Seaneh

swiftman wrote: »

no thats wrong. i serve food at home to family and friends, i dont need a cert from health and safety.
you need a cert if you SELL food.

If you are handing out food to the public you have to have a cert. from environmental health and safety and have been inspected by a HSE inspector.

Mrs OBumble

Seaneh wrote: »

Well, planning wouldn't be an issue, they are operating out of a truck inside the building. They might need a permit for the canopy they have pitched inside.

As for heath and safety, I'd be almost certain he's had the truck approved, it's not hard to do and costs little or nothing.

The building's being used for a different purpose from what it's approved for, though. I've seen shops needs to get planning to change from a clothing shop to a cafe, can't see how this would be different.

Greaney

I have my reservations about Twist Soup kitchens

1) I think they enable addiction. Many people from Charities such as Simon Community have spoken about this. They believe that if a person has to use a soup kitchen then they're spending their money on the wrong things

2) I believe that the groups that are most in need are families, who mostly live in the suburbs. Food parcels (although I suspect its fuel and heating that's needed more) are more practical than getting the bus into town with the kids (the price of bus fares:eek:) for dinner

3) Many non-profit agencies do courses on money management, cooking, environment (insulating your home) etc. so that folk can live within their modest means

4) We have one of the most generous social welfare systems in the world.

5) I'm not talking off the top of my head, I was on welfare for years (and I was really grateful it was there) and did those courses.

6) I'm happy to be a tax payer now (yes you heard right), and pay back to the country who supported me. I don't believe any tax payer should feel guilty when they do not support Twist's bucket shakers

Many people feel that it suits many drug dealers that Twist exists and actively seek out it's Clients. I guess if drug dealing were one's business, then Twist would allow ones client significantly more disposable income to spend on their drugs

Seaneh

Greaney wrote: »

I have my reservations about Twist Soup kitchens

1) I think they enable addiction. Many people from Charities such as Simon Community have spoken about this. They believe that if a person has to use a soup kitchen then they're spending their money on the wrong things

Links please because I know for a fact that The Simon Community have openly praised Cork Penny Dinners and Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin and have even helped them at times.

This is a nonsensical opinion I've seen spouted by a lot of people and I've never seen any study that backs it up.

Greaney wrote: »

2) I believe that the groups that are most in need are families, who mostly live in the suburbs. Food parcels (although I suspect its fuel and heating that's needed more) are more practical than getting the bus into town with the kids (the price of bus fares:eek:) for dinner

Soup kitchens don't exist to meet families daily food needs, they exist as a stopgap to provide a meal when needed to individuals and they provide a much needed service to a lot of people in this country who are neither junkies or addicts as well as homeless and addicted people.

Greaney wrote: »

3) Many non-profit agencies do courses on money management, cooking, environment (insulating your home) etc. so that folk can live within their modest means

This is irrelevant, truth is that some people, no matter how well they manage their finances, will have times when they just have too much month at the end of their money and after paying bills and rent/mortgage. For a lot of people one unexpected expense can totally wipe out their budget (being ill and having to pay for doctors visit and meds). There is no ideal world where if you're careful about what you buy you'll always be grand, **** happens.

Greaney wrote: »

4) We have one of the most generous social welfare systems in the world.

We also have one of the highest costs of living in the world.

Greaney wrote: »

5) I'm not talking off the top of my head, I was on welfare for years (and I was really grateful it was there) and did those courses.

Well, I'm glad everything went well for you and you never had to skip meals to make ends meet, but not everyone is so lucky.

Greaney wrote: »

6) I'm happy to be a tax payer now (yes you heard right), and pay back to the country who supported me. I don't believe any tax payer should feel guilty when they do not support Twist's bucket shakers

I don't think anyone thinks you should feel guilty, if you decide not to support that's your business, taking offence to it is also your problem.

Greaney wrote: »

Many people feel that it suits many drug dealers that Twist exists and actively seek out it's Clients. I guess if drug dealing were one's business, then Twist would allow ones client significantly more disposable income to spend on their drugs

Absolute nonsense. Like something you'd hear on the joe duffy show, I'm not even going to bother addressing this rubbish.

inisboffin

Its not just addiction. There are a huge range of people that would use a service like this, unexpected illness, waiting for benefits to come through, a house expense like flood damage are all reasons why someone might skip a meal and be glad of this service.

As for addiction, if someone is out looking to score and are 'sick' - the last thing on their mind is food. They don't think "hmm will I buy my bag of smack, OR a burger and chips....difficult one...oh ok smack it is so!"
I would rather see someone who is in that awful place of addiction get a hot meal than not. I honestly don't think a bowl of food is enabling them, because if that's the logic then the whole welfare system would be changed so that any gamblers, overeaters, drinkers or smokers would be excluded from benefits, and that's nuts!

Greaney you make valid points about support systems, and teaching people to help themselves, and of course that's vital, but I don't think the soup kitchen is damaging our society tbh.

emptybladder

Odd that other charities, the Gardai, councillors *and* planners want to see Twist closed.

Seaneh

emptybladder wrote: »

Odd that other charities, the Gardai, councillors *and* planners want to see Twist closed.

The planning issue is just the building it's in, they don't actually give a toss that the service exists. He just has to apply for a change of use.

I've not seen any other charities saying they wanted it closed and as for councillors, well, the standard in galway isn't very high, is it? One of that shower or loodramons actually thought his Taxi's dispatch service was able the change the colour of traffic lights ffs, they are a bunch of brainless tools.

Greaney

Seaneh wrote: »

Links please because I know for a fact that The Simon Community have openly praised Cork Penny Dinners and Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin and have even helped them at times.

This is a nonsensical opinion I've seen spouted by a lot of people and I've never seen any study that backs it up.



Soup kitchens don't exist to meet families daily food needs, they exist as a stopgap to provide a meal when needed to individuals and they provide a much needed service to a lot of people in this country who are neither junkies or addicts as well as homeless and addicted people.





This is irrelevant, truth is that some people, no matter how well they manage their finances, will have times when they just have too much month at the end of their money and after paying bills and rent/mortgage. For a lot of people one unexpected expense can totally wipe out their budget (being ill and having to pay for doctors visit and meds). There is no ideal world where if you're careful about what you buy you'll always be grand, **** happens.




We also have one of the highest costs of living in the world.




Well, I'm glad everything went well for you and you never had to skip meals to make ends meet, but not everyone is so lucky.





I don't think anyone thinks you should feel guilty, if you decide not to support that's your business, taking offence to it is also your problem.



Absolute nonsense. Like something you'd hear on the joe duffy show, I'm not even going to bother addressing this rubbish.

I have gone without, and I mean that in the real sense. I have had to register as homeless, I've had to go to bed early and cold so the meter could keep going to keep the fridge running till morning so the baby's milk wouldn't go rotten. Like Simon and others, I do praise The Capuchin Friary (they offer much needed food parcels). I have also, however, a real understanding of addiction. It's a terrifically powerful compulsion that can turn drugs, drink or gambling into a need that's even stronger than hunger.

This thread has been really one sided and I thought it important to address that. We have a history in Ireland to identify with underdog. That's a worthy thing however if we don't question why they got there in the first place we're not doing anyone any favours.

inisboffin

Greaney wrote: »

. That's a worthy thing however if we don't question why they got there in the first place we're not doing anyone any favours.

I hear you point, but if someone is hungry they are hungry! A two pronged (at least) approach is what's needed, not taking the bowl of soup away when they have hit a low, regardless of how they got there.

I'd rather a percentage of 'chancers' got a free meal, along with the rest, than see people who otherwise wouldn't eat that meal, go hungry.