Home Who We Are What We Do How To Donate How To Volunteer Press Contact Us Gallery Latest News Documentary   (It's a large QuickTime Movie, so you could download to watch later, but we've set the window to pop-up so you can leave it loading in the background and view it later ...)	What We Do We provide a safe haven for people to attend at times of need or for any other reason. Through this we can offer first aid, advice and many other types of help: SOS/Educational Bus The SOS/Educational bus is an 11.8 Optare Versa fitted out to operate as a safe haven at weekends to provide support for the lost, distressed, injured and vulnerable. The bus is also available to be used by schools and agencies during the week to deliver educational programs. Among other things the bus is fitted out with: Outside Plasma Screen Nightowl (4 x 50w halogen bulbs on roof) 360 degree revolving CCTV Sound system Inside Two Plasma Screens with sound system Interactive whiteboard Printer DVD Music System Kitchenette Reception area Team area Counselling area Medical Unit The Medical Unit is an 8.8m Optare Sols which is fully equipped to NHS standards for medical use. Among other things the unit is fitted out with: Outside Plasma Screen Emergency Lighting on roof Inside Two treatment bays with - medical gases, suction, defibs., stitching and glueing area and comprehensive first aid equipment Kitchenette Seating/Counselling area Reception Both buses have Automatic Awnings Front and rear reversing cameras Level five tracker systems Disabled access ramps CCTV SOS Support Vehicle The projects support vehicle is a high top LT Volkswagen van with customised doors on both sides for ease of moving clients. It is available to collect clients in distress and bring them back to the project. The support vehicle has livery similar to the projects buses and also displays the logos for the supporters of the new bus campaign. Staffing of SOS Bus On average seven volunteers/workers man the SOS Bus every Friday and Saturday night between 9pm and 3am. Staffing for a shift comprises of one shift leader, one shift worker, one youth worker, two to three shift support workers, a St John ambulance member, a support vehicle driver and drivers to get the SOS Bus and medical unit to site. Often a member of the team will double-up on a role; for instance, the shift leader may also drive the bus to and from site. The St John First Responders also use the SOS Bus as a base of operations on a Friday and Saturday night and have their own vehicle for call outs. Staffing of Medical Unit The Medical Unit is staffed by a clinician from the East of England Ambulance Service, a St John Ambulance member and a door supervisor. The police operate a digital radio system linking the police, CCTV, local venues and the SOS Bus. There are three analogue radios for intercommunication between the SOS Bus, medical unit and SOS Cab and three mobile phones one for each vehicle as well. Location of SOS Bus and Medical Unit Both buses are located outside Natwest bank, in the bus stop layby, on Prince of Wales Road. The buses remains on site for the duration of a shift and the SOS Cab is used where transportation is required. (Map of location in gallery) Operation of a shift At the beginning of a shift all team members meet on the SOS Bus for a brief and to discuss any issues of importance or concern. Both buses are then readied for the shift to start at 21.00hrs. The shift leader on the SOS Bus is the first point of contact for all calls coming in via the radios or mobile phones. Most clients come onto the SOS Bus by foot, either of their own accord or brought on by friends. Injured clients will be assessed by the clinician on the medical unit who will decide if they need treatment on the unit or can go to the SOS Bus for first aid. Otherwise clients will be assessed by the shift leader to decide on the suitable course of action. Clients come to the medical unit via the Ambulance Service, public or police. Information on each client is recorded on a client contact sheets and from these sheets the statistics regarding use of the buses are compiled. The clients are not under any compulsion to give information if they do not wish to. All personal details are kept strictly confidential. If a client is unable to get home they can arrange for a taxi from the SOS bus or contact a friend or relative to arrange a lift home, the bus then operates as a safe place for them to await collection. The project only gives clients lifts home in exceptional circumstances. The bus is designed to meet the immediate needs of clients and is not set up to help with more complicated or long term issues; but contact details, and copies of advice and information leaflets from help agencies, are kept on the bus and clients can be advised of where they can seek help. The youth worker from Children’s Services is available to deal with youth issues. Members of the team are trained in drug and alcohol intervention and clients are able to be signposted to other agencies who can help them. Please see statistics (under press) for number of clients helped to date and the reasons why. The Cabinet Office 'This is a creative and innovative scheme and I wish it every success.' Jack Straw, Home Secretary. The Labour Party 'Norwich should be congratulated for doing this-it is a very welcome initiative.' Dr Ian Gibson, Norwich North MP
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