Sleepout for Soul to take over one of Newcastle's finest rooftops for a good cause

That's the message from the organisers of Sleepout For Soul, the major fundraising vehicle for Hunter charity Soul Cafe, which will be held on May 21.

For the first time in its 11-year history, the Sleepout will be held on the roof of the Bolton Street carpark, with its sweeping city panorama.

When COVID-19 cancelled the Sleepout last year, the Cafe scrambled to stage the event virtually, encouraging people to "camp" in their home or backyard.

It raised $90,000 and was such a success that this year's live event will also have virtual components.

Starting at 6pm, Sleepout For Soul will have fire barrels, food vans, live raffles and auctions of donated prizes. Hit 106.9 radio hosts Nick, Jess and Ducko will host the event and stage interviews.

Soul Cafe hopes to raise $175,000 on the night and has appealed to residents to register for the event of simply donate.

It also is urging local businesses to become an event sponsor or donate prizes that can be raffled during the Sleepout.

Soul Cafe general manager and event organiser Matt Ortiger said the Sleepout's $175,000 goal would allow the cafe to stay open for six months. "That is important because that is six months of supporting homeless, vulnerable, mentally unwell and addicted people in Newcastle," he said.

"We are coming out a time where, due to lockdown and restrictions, it was extremely difficult to support people with needs, addiction and vulnerabilities and it was very difficult to fundraise ... but we are very much enjoying moving into a period of increased freedom."

In the past 12 months, the Hunter Street cafe has provided 50,884 meals - an increase of 10,000 meals compared to any previous year. This feat was possible after Soul Cafe, unable to host its usual services on site, pivoted to offer new services. These included Open Pantry, where the vulnerable could pop in and stock up on staples.

"We had to innovate: we did our meal services on the streets for a while and we started the Open Pantry at the start of lockdown and that is still going strong, there's a real need for it," Mr Ortiger said.

Mr Ortiger called on Novocastrians to register for the event and become individual fundraisers or donate directly to the Soul Cafe via a link on its website.

"We are a grassroots volunteer-drive, non-government funded local charity and so we are relying on Newcastle to look after us."

Soul Cafe serves breakfast five mornings a week and lunch on four week days and alternate Sundays.

But it's far more than a meal provider. Its services include drug and alcohol support, accommodation support, Centrelink referrals, mental health counselling, hair cuts and legal services.

Mr Ortiger said the Sleepout encouraged people to reflect on their fortune while giving back.

"We are largely sleeping out for fun but when you get cold at 2am and you are in a carpark, you realise that for some that's that daily experience. We are camping out with family and friends but most people on the street are cold, in dark places and alone - and that is pretty sad to consider," he said.

One of the event organisers, Jodi O'Connor, of local business Made by Ronocco, said holding the event at Bolton Street would allow Soul Cafe CEO Rick Prosser to walk to the cafe with participants to show them its services.

"We hope it gives them a sense of how the reality could so easily be for them. As they say, you are only ever two pay cheques away from homelessness," she said.

Soul Cafe floor manager Sue Prosser said the cafe was a life-changing resource for the city's vulnerable.

"I work a lot with our guests who come into Soul and and this kind of support really does change people," she said. "Every bit matters, whether it's $1000 or $10 or a donated blanket. It puts a smile on their face and it is a privilege to give it to them."