SOUP Gloucester

Wednesday 25 November 2026, 6–7pm
Gloucester Park Bandstand

Join us for an evening celebrating the switch-on of a new light installation at Gloucester Park Bandstand, alongside SOUP Gloucester, a community event where local people decide which ideas receive funding.

We’ll hear four ideas for making Gloucester Park more welcoming, particularly for women. Come along to meet people, share a bowl of soup, listen to the pitches and vote for the idea you’d most like to see happen.

The winning idea will receive funding to bring it to life in Gloucester Park in 2027.

Book your free space here.

This is an outdoor event in November, so wrap up warm! Firepits will be there to help keep you warm.

Celebrating Bright Nights

Artists Helena Doyle and Jonathan Katona, based at JOLT, have been commissioned by Gloucester City Council’s Bright Nights programme to create a new light installation for Gloucester Park Bandstand.

The installation aims to make the bandstand a more welcoming space during the winter months. Join us to celebrate the switch-on and see the artwork illuminate the park.

What is SOUP Gloucester?

SOUP Gloucester brings people together to share ideas, build connections and decide how local funding should be spent.

For this event, four selected applicants will each have four minutes to pitch their idea for making Gloucester Park more welcoming, particularly for women.

You’ll hear all four pitches before voting for the idea you’d most like to support. The idea with the most votes will receive the funding to make it happen in 2027.

Location and parking:

Location: Gloucester Park Bandstand
Gloucester Park, Trier Way, Gloucester, GL1 1LY.

The event will take place at the bandstand inside Gloucester Park. The park has several entrances, including from Trier Way and Park Road.

By car

Free event parking will be available at GO Outdoors, 98–108 Barton Street, Gloucester, GL1 4DZ.

By bus

There are bus stops on Trier Way close to the park. Services 7, 9 and 63. Please check your journey before travelling.

You can also travel by train to Gloucester Station, which is approximately a 15-minute walk from the park.

Wrap up! This is an outdoor event in November, so please wrap up warm. Firepits will be available to provide some heat.

Have an idea? Apply for funding

Do you have an idea for an activity that could help women feel safer or make Gloucester Park a more welcoming place?

We’re inviting individuals and organisations, particularly those with a connection to Gloucester, to submit ideas for activities, events, workshops or equipment that could make a positive difference.

There’s funding available at up to £1,000 to help bring selected ideas to life.

How it works

1. Submit your idea
Complete the application form with a description of your idea, who it would benefit, when it could happen and how you’d use the funding.

2. Four ideas are selected
Four applicants will be invited to present their ideas at SOUP Gloucester on 25 November.

3. Pitch your idea
Each selected applicant will have four minutes to explain their idea to the audience.

4. The audience votes
People attending the event will vote for the idea they’d most like to support. The idea with the most votes will receive the funding.

Who can apply?

Applications are open to individuals and organisations. Ideally, applicants will have a connection to Gloucester and an understanding of the local community.

You don’t need to have delivered a funded project before. We’re interested in hearing ideas that could make a real difference.

Application deadline: 16 November 2026

Submit your idea here.

Why women’s safety?

Every year, 25 November marks the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global campaign led by the United Nations to raise awareness and take action to end violence against women and girls.

Women should feel safe wherever they go — at home, in public and online. By bringing people together to share ideas and shape activities in Gloucester Park, we want to help create public spaces where women feel safer and more welcome.

Find out more about the 16 Days of Activism — UN Women UK