Punjana, Northern Ireland’s favourite cup of tea and a family owned company, have confirmed their support for SOS Bus by becoming the primary supplier of tea as a donation to the project.
Joe Hyland, CEO of SOS Bus welcomed this partnership and thanked Punjana for their support.
SOS Bus provides refreshments and support to those in need every Friday and Saturday night in Belfast City Centre. Over 65,000 people have interacted with the project since it began in November 2007.
A century ago, Punjana, the tea importer and blender, was beginning its life near the docklands in Belfast. Originally founded by McArthur and Willis, the Thompson family made their mark in 1896 when Robert Samuel Thompson became a partner. Ross and David Thompson, joint Managing Directors of Punjana Limited, today carry on the traditional job of tea tasting and selecting the company´s teas, in much the same way as has been done since the company was founded in 1896.
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OVER 65,000 PEOPLE ENGAGED WITH SOS BUS & FUNDING SECURED ON 2ND ANNIVERSARY
SOS BUS NI Staff
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.”
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.”
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SOS BUS NI TRAINING COURSE FOR VOLUNTEERS
SOS BUS NI Staff
Thursday, 18 February 2010
On Tuesday 30th March, Select Management & Security will deliver a Conflict Resolution Course in SOS offices for all volunteers.
This course provides assistance and guidance in dealing with situations that might be uncomfortable and to help prevent those situations escalating. This is basic level training aimed at volunteers. There is a focus on verbal handling of situations – not physical contact. Useful in personal, work and volunteering activities.
If you are a volunteer and want to sign up for this course email: admin@sosbusni.com
This course provides assistance and guidance in dealing with situations that might be uncomfortable and to help prevent those situations escalating. This is basic level training aimed at volunteers. There is a focus on verbal handling of situations – not physical contact. Useful in personal, work and volunteering activities.
If you are a volunteer and want to sign up for this course email: admin@sosbusni.com
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SOS PRESENCE AT UNDER 18 EVENTS
SOS BUS NI Staff
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
SOS Bus has continued to provide support services at Under 18 events in Belfast.
Recently the bus provided medical cover at Clubland in the Odyssey Complex.
On 23rd December the bus traveled to INFERNO at the Holiday Inn, Belfast and this was also a busy night for the SOS volunteers and paramedics.
By attending such events, SOS BUS NI can raise its profile amongst the general public while ensuring that the young people are safe and free from harm.
If you are interested in volunteering at these events contact Emma Hayes in the office on 028 90 664505.
Recently the bus provided medical cover at Clubland in the Odyssey Complex.
On 23rd December the bus traveled to INFERNO at the Holiday Inn, Belfast and this was also a busy night for the SOS volunteers and paramedics.
By attending such events, SOS BUS NI can raise its profile amongst the general public while ensuring that the young people are safe and free from harm.
If you are interested in volunteering at these events contact Emma Hayes in the office on 028 90 664505.
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WHAT THE PUBLIC SAY....
SOS BUS NI Staff
During October and December 2009 SOS BUS NI undertook a Client Survey. The aim was to find out how informed the general public are about the bus and the services we offer. The key findings from the survey are:
>75.2% of those surveyed were in the 18-24 year old age bracket
>83.2% of those surveyed had consumed alcohol on the night they were surveyed
>79.2% of those surveyed lived in the Greater Belfast area
>78% of people were aware of the bus prior to the survey
>51.9% of people said they knew of other people who had used the bus before
>39% of those surveyed said they had used the bus more than 4 times
>65% of those surveyed knew that the bus had a paramedic on board
>50% of those surveyed knew that SOS volunteers could help those in distress to get home safely
>Only 52% of those surveyed planned in advance how they would get home after being out
>Only 4% of all respondents carried an attack/rape alarm
>88% of users felt that the presence of the bus and the volunteers manning it made the Dublin Rd area safer.
This is the first survey that we have conducted to evaluate the public’s view of SOS bus and to establish how aware people are of the service we deliver.
It demonstrates that users of the bus have a solid understanding of what we do and many of those surveyed gave us very positive feedback. Others came forward with some helpful suggestions that will allow us to better serve the public.
The survey was developed and managed by Patrick Black from Queen’s University Belfast. We would like to thank Patrick for his diligence and professionalism in facilitating this worthwhile study.
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