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| 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 to make sure you get 'Home Safe & Sound.' First Aid Centre A first aid centre was opened on 30th May 2002 at the top of Prince of Wales Rd. The project was aided in this by the Charing Cross Trust who agreed to provide the rent for the property for three years. The centre is used in conjunction with the SOS Bus by the first-aiders from the St John Ambulance. It is equipped with two beds and all the first aid equipment required. Norwich City Council have granted full rate relief for the building. Support vehicle The project purchased its own support vehicle - a twelve seater Volkswagen high top LT window van - on the 1st January 2003. Prior to this a local car hire company - Apex Car Rental - was supplying the project with the loan of a vehicle, free of charge, for each weekend. The support vehicle is customised with sliding doors on both sides in case a client needs to be collected from the wrong side of the road. (Pictures are available in the gallery) 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 team support workers, two members of St John ambulance, a support vehicle driver and a bus driver. 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. A few members of staff are paid – for instance drivers and shift leaders when necessary - but the majority give their time voluntarily. The development and operational manager is seconded from Norwich Police and the administrative assistant is employed by the project. All new team members are volunteers. Location of SOS Bus The SOS Bus is located outside Natwest bank, in the bus stop layby, on Prince of Wales Road. The bus remains on site for the duration of a shift and the support vehicle is used where transportation is required. (Map of location in gallery) Operation of a shift At the beginning of a shift the bus is set up and the shift leader will brief the team on any issues of importance or concern. The first aid centre will also be readied though it is only in use when there is a client needing treatment; for the rest of the shift the St John first-aiders remain on the bus. Doors open at 9.00pm. Most clients come onto the bus by foot, either of their own accord or brought on by friends. Clients coming onto the bus will be assessed by the shift leader and the first-aiders if it is a first aid issue. Information on each client is recorded on a client contact sheet and from these sheets the statistics regarding use of the bus are compiled. The clients are not under any compulsion to give information if they do not wish to. Clients requiring first aid are treated in the first aid centre and can be taken to casualty by the support vehicle if necessary. On some occasions an ambulance is required. If a client is unable to get home they can arrange for a taxi from the 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 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 the Norfolk Youth and Community service is available to deal with youth issues. Please see statistics (under press) for number of clients helped to date. Siren radio system The police operate a digital radio system called 'Siren' linking the police, pubs, clubs, venues, C.C.T.V and the SOS Bus. Two digital radios are kept on the SOS Bus. |
| 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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