SOS BUS Northern Ireland

ALLIED BAKERIES SUPPORTS SOS BUS

2010-07-26T04:29:00.000-07:00

Allied Bakeries Ireland (ABI) has confirmed their support for SOS Bus by becoming a supplier of bread products as a donation to the project.

SOS Bus CEO Joe Hyland welcomed this partnership and thanked Allied Bakeries for their support. “It is great that we can now offer a bakery snack with a hot drink to those who need our help, especially coming into the winter months” he said.

SOS Bus provides refreshments and support to those in need every Friday and Saturday night in Belfast City Centre. Over 75,000 people have interacted with the project since it began in November 2007.

ABI is the largest plant bakery in Northern Ireland and produces top selling brands such as Kingsmill and Sunblest.

LATEST STATS.....

2010-07-07T00:30:00.000-07:00

We have been delivering our service since November 2007 on the streets of Belfast and beyond.

So far we have engaged with over 75,000 individuals and provided indepth support to over 955 clients.

The value of our volunteers time contributed to date = 12,711 hours.

We have over 90 active volunteers and we are currently recruiting new volunteers. If you are interested in being part of this exciting project please contact Emma Hayes on admin@sosbusni.com or ring 028 90 664505.

SOS BUS HEADS TO LISBURN

2010-07-07T00:26:00.000-07:00

Over the past few months, SOS Bus has been engaging with residents and organisations based in the Hillhall estate in Lisburn. SOS Bus will initially be working in Hillhall over a 12 month pilot period to deliver Outreach projects aimed at helping residents with some of the key issues/problems within their area.

SOS will take the bus right into the heart of the community once a week and volunteers will work with local residents of all ages to build relationships of trust and confidence.

SOS BUS LATEST STATISTICS.....

2010-04-21T06:33:00.000-07:00

Latest statistics show that SOS Bus has interacted with over 71,000 individuals to date and provided in-depth support to over 939 clients. Located right in the heart of Belfast City in Shaftesbury Square - we are here to support people in need.

To ring us for help on a Friday or Saturday night between 11.00pm - 3.00am ring 07901 505 505

To get involved email Emma Hayes on admin@sosbusni.com or ring 028 90 664505.

SOS BUS ON ST PATRICK'S DAY

2010-04-07T05:45:00.000-07:00

On St Patrick's Day - 17th March, SOS Bus had a presence in the Holy Lands in South Belfast.

We worked from early in the morning until approximately 11.00pm - with a high number of volunteers contributing on the day.

Working in partnership with a number of statutory and voluntary organisations to provide a support service on the day. We treated a range of individuals who required medical assistance and a listening ear to those who needed us. We also provided our usual refreshments to our clients. Together we all provided a Safe Haven in the Heart of the City and contributed to the reduction in problems that normally present on St Patrick's Day in this location.

The newspapers reported a significantly lower number of arrests compared to the previous year when two PSNI officers had to be treated in hospital.

Special thanks to all our volunteers, partners and our Paramedic services, Pro Paramedics, who provided an excellent service on the day.

PUNJANA SUPPORTS SOS BUS

2010-02-24T04:55:00.000-08:00

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.

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

2010-02-24T04:52:00.000-08:00

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.”

SOS BUS NI TRAINING COURSE FOR VOLUNTEERS

2010-02-18T04:49:00.000-08:00

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

SOS PRESENCE AT UNDER 18 EVENTS

2010-02-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

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.

WHAT THE PUBLIC SAY....

2010-02-02T03:56:00.000-08:00

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.

SOS BUS WINS CITYBEAT COMMUNITY TOGETHER AWARD

2009-11-12T05:46:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday 10th November Citybeat radio announced the winners of its Citybeat Feel Good Awards which were nominated by Citybeat listeners and presented to individuals and groups in the City Hall Belfast.

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Naomi Long hosted the finalists, joined by special guest Ulster and Ireland Rugby hero, David Humphries.

The team of volunteers behind the SOS Bus NI picked up the Community Together Award for their work in making Belfast a safer place for the homeless and vulnerable.

Dorothy Nixon, CEO of Citybeat added, “Citybeat celebrated its 13th Birthday this year and a massive increase of 16,000 additional listeners taking the overall weekly reach to 144,000! It’s particularly special to be here in the beautiful City Hall tonight, recognising the inspiring and outstanding achievement of our listeners and I hope tonight we’ve made them, feel good.”

Joe Hyland, CEO of SOS Bus commented, "this award is recognition of the time and dedication our volunteers give to this project - they have made this possible".

FIRST NIGHT ON THE SOS BUS........

2009-10-27T05:50:00.000-07:00

FIRST NIGHT OUT ON SOS BUS – Patrick Black

I am a final year geography student at Queen’s University, and I am currently helping out in the SOS BUS office as part of one my modules, “Geography at Work”. The module focuses on how geography students can apply the skills they learn at university to the workplace.

On Saturday night (24th October) I headed out for my first night on the bus, despite being nearly blown off our feet by the wind, I think we had a very successful night!
I wasn’t the only newbie on the team which was some comfort as our first “customer” appeared more than a little disgruntled, (apparently kebab shop owners don’t like how the bus hands out free biscuits as it reduces their sales)!

However, by the end of our conversation myself and another new guy, Alan, had convinced him to sign up and volunteer on the bus, talk about a turnaround!

It was great to get chatting to the people who stopped at the bus and I was especially surprised at how many international visitors we had in Belfast! In the space of an hour I had spoken to five guys from India, a lady from Chile, two Italians and a couple of girls from USA.

To see the work of the bus in action was really interesting. Simply by offering a cup of tea and a listening ear, with the combined presence of the bus itself sparking peoples’ curiosity, has such a calming effect on the area.

People would approach the bus, perhaps a little worse for wear or seeming slightly on edge but would leave with a cup of tea or soup, a little more settled and with a clearer picture of how they were going to get home safely.

To have a qualified paramedic on hand with the ability to collect people in need from nightclubs/pubs directly is such a good service. I was able to see the whole process in action when team leader Alan went to collect a guy who had fallen at a club, been looked after by the doormen who called the SOS BUS, was picked up, brought back to the bus, checked over by the paramedic and then taken home on the SOS minibus. It’s efficient and it relieves the stress on the emergency services.

I really enjoyed my first night out on the bus and definitely will be signing up to help out every few weeks!

VOLUNTEERING - COME JOIN US

2009-09-15T05:04:00.000-07:00

This month alone, SOS Bus has recruited over 13 volunteers through our website. If you are interested in volunteering and taking part in a really worthwhile project please contact us through our website or email admin@sosbusni.com

We now have over 100 active volunteers working on the streets of Belfast.