OVER 65,000 PEOPLE ENGAGED WITH SOS BUS & FUNDING SECURED ON 2ND ANNIVERSARY

Belfast’s SOS Bus has engaged with over 65,000 people in the last two years, providing help and a safe environment for people needing assistance on Friday and Saturday nights.

Since its launch it has become a familiar fixture on the streets of Belfast providing much needed support to those who have consumed too much alcohol or taken drugs, been the victims of violence, fear for their safety, are in need of someone to talk to or just need directions and advice.

Over 65,000 people have been engaged with so far on the streets of Belfast. 760 of these people had emotional or physical need and required intervention with the life of one person being saved as a direct result of the work of the SOS Bus volunteers.

In marking its second anniversary, SOS Bus NI Limited has secured in excess of £100,000 in funding from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Ulster Garden Villages, the NIO and a range of private sector donors to ensure the survival of the initiative.

Commenting on the anniversary, Stephen Kingon, Chairman of SOS Bus NI Limited said:

“The SOS Bus provides a helping hand to those in need, and the £100,000 that has been secured will go a long way in ensuring that we can continue to help make the streets a safer place and provide care and assistance when it is needed.

We are delighted to have been able to have engaged with over 65,000 people so far and take comfort in knowing that the work of our volunteers is helping to make a real difference when and where it matters.

With over 100 volunteers to staff the bus, with more joining every month we have recently refurbished a second bus to meet the growing demand for the services we offer” said Mr. Kingon.

Wendy Middleton of the PSNI Organised Crime Branch said:

“We are delighted to be able to support the SOS Bus initiative which carries out a valuable role in the community, assisting our officers by providing care and help to those in need – be it requiring medical assistance or a lift home, the SOS Bus volunteers provide an indispensable service to the local community. It is all the more satisfying that the money that we are able to contribute has come from assets that we have taken from criminals as part of the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme.”

Commenting on their funding of the initiative, Tony Hopkins, Chair of Ulster Garden Villages Ltd said:

“Every weekend there are hundreds of people on our streets that for one reason or another need help and assistance. The SOS Bus initiative allows us to support this work that makes a real difference to people when they are at their most vulnerable by providing a safe haven on the streets of Belfast.”