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SOS BUS NI

Contents 1.Introduction 2.Objectives 3.History 4.Volunteers 5.Equipment 6.Services Provided 7.Service Delivery Statistics 8.Funding 9.Partnership working 10.References

Introduction

SOS Bus NI is a volunteer centred registered charity.[1]The charity aims to provide a range of support services to young and vulnerable people in Belfast City in Northern Ireland (NI). Operating in key locations during peak periods the charity is based upon and promotes Christian ideologies.

Objectives

The aim of SOS Bus NI is to identify and recognise specific groups and communities and to provide support to the vulnerable or those otherwise in need. SOS Bus NI provides medical assistance, food, tea/coffee, sleeping bags and a place of safety for people who are at risk particularly during weekend evening periods.

History

The charity was established in November 2007[2] and is governed by a Board of Directors and a Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The founder Joseph (Joe) Hyland conceived the idea for the charity, realising the challenges facing the various emergency services following an unprovoked assault on his son whilst on a social night out in Belfast. He identified a need for an alternative preventative service that would seek to minimise the need for emergency services intervention [3]. SOS Bus NI forged partnerships with the Police Service of Norther Ireland and The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. Trained volunteers operate from four specially designed and equipped vehicles and they deploy satellite foot and mobile patrols to extended areas of need across the City. On 7th March 2012 HRH The Princess Royal viewed the SOS Bus and attende a reception at Hillsborough Castle for the volunteers and sponsors of the charity[4]. Joe Hyland was awarded an MBE for Services to the community in Northern Ireland in the 2014 Birthday Honours List[5].

Volunteers

As of January 2015 SOS Bus NI has a volunteer pool of over 250 trained volunteers. These volunteers operate on Friday and Saturday nights from strategic locations throughout Belfast, interacting with up to 600 individuals each evening [6]. All volunteers undergo a selection process. They are required to complete a training and induction process which includes trading by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust [7] on dealing with children and vulnerable adults. Further training and support is provided to volunteers including first aid and mental health awareness training. Each of the teams deployed by SOS Bus consists of 12 - 15 volunteers, led by an experienced Team Leader.

Equipment

SOS Bus operates 2 x 60 foot 'flexi' buses. Each one is equipped with a fully functional medical centre designed by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service [8]. The 'flexi' buses operate as hubs from which minibuses and foot patrols are deployed.

Services Provided

The services provided by SOS Bus NI include the provision of refreshments,professional medical treatment,immediate transport to hospital when appropriate, conveyance to home or a place of safety, emotional care and listening ear services and sign-posting to statutory service providers. Clients records and medical reports are completed in accordance with statutory regulation. In addition to the Night Time Services support is provided through the Schools Educational and Empowerment Programme [9]. SEEP seeks to educate young people in the effects of alcohol consumption on their body, relationships and on the community as a whole. SOS Bus NI collaborates with local food suppliers to redirect perishable food waste to a range of voluntary and community organisations that support vulnerable people and those on low incomes. Leftover food from Belfast Christmas market, December 2014 was donated to the SOS Bus[10]. The Food Programme operates 6 days a week with all food collections and deliveries being conducted by volunteers.

Service Delivery Statistics

Since its inception SOS Bus NI has engaged with over 240,000 individuals. In-depth medical help and caring assistance has been provided to over 7,500 individuals and during 2013 SOS Bus NI interventions prevevented 168 ambulance call outs. There is strong evidence[11] to suggest that the presence of SOS Bus NI has helped to deter criminal activity.

Funding

As a registered charity the functionality of SOS Bus NI is dependent upon a combination of voluntary donations, fund raising activities,grants and services in kind. The cost of managing the service is in the region of £280,000 per annum which was partially funded by the Police Service of Northern Ireland [12].

Partnership Working

SOS Bus NI works in partnership with a wide range of organisations from the Public, Private,Voluntary and Community Sectors. SOS Bus NI works closely with the Police and Ambulance Service, pubs and clubs offering support during times of peak demand. As a member of the Belfast Night Time Volunteer Group [13], SOS Bus NI collaborates with other voluntary organisations to ensure that services are co-ordinated[14].

References

1. Northern Ireland Charity Ref: XT672n 2. http://www.charitycommissionni.org.uk/...charity/register 3. http://www.disabilityaction.org/news/item/.../socialising-in-belfast-sos-bus-ni/ 4. https//www.gov.uk/.../hrh-the-princess-royal-views-sos-bus-and-attends-volunteer-reception-at-hillsborough-castle 5. https//www.communityni.org/.../sos-bus-ni-ceo-joe-hyland-awarded-mbe 6. https//www.sosbusni.com 7. http://www.belfasttrust.hscni.net/ 8. http://www.niamb.co.uk/index.html 9. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6K1cytjWms 10. http:www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-30464136 11. http://www.openroad.org.uk/what_we_do/sos_buses 12. http://www.psni.police.uk/psni _financial_statements_2013-14.pdf 13. http://www.belfastcentre.com/about-us/safer-city/night-time-volunteers 14. http://www.co3.bz/member-organisations