A Safe Haven on the Streets of Belfast

since 2007, SOS Bus NI trains and equips volunteers to create ‘Safe Spaces’ on the streets of Belfast. Throughout the years we have helped an excess of 400,000 vulnerable people, helping them to get home safe after a night out, providing a listening ear to those who are struggling with mental health problems and addictions whilst also working with clients who are part of the homeless community. Our signposting programme helps us to direct vulnerable clients to additional help and support to address their individual needs.

Our yellow buses are an iconic part of Belfast, and can be seen out on the streets every week day between 2pm and 6pm and every Friday and Saturday night between 10:30pm and 3am at Shaftsbury Square. When our volunteers put on their yellow jackets, they feel a sense of pride, knowing that whatever faces them on shift, they aim to make a difference to the many people they come in contact with. Many of our regular clients love to see the yellow visage coming towards them as they know they will be treated in a non-judgmental, caring and friendly manner. All of our volunteers receive great training as part of the volunteering programme, being trained in basic life support, listening skills, suicide awareness and Naloxone administration as well as many more wonderful courses. We want to make sure that every vulnerable client receives the best possible care that we can give.

There is a growing need for community-led welfare services across Northern Ireland as pressures on the Emergency Care and Mental Health services continue to increase. Our experience shows that poor mental health is rarely a stand-alone issue and is often combined with complications such as relationship breakdown, bereavement, unemployment, homelessness and substance use. That is why we are committed to delivering services in partnership with other statutory bodies in Belfast. We help to ease pressure on the PSNI, emergency departments and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, allowing them to focus their time and effort on more serious and pressing issues.

Over the past few months, since returning to normal services after the covid-19 pandemic, we have been extremely busy! During the summer, we have been providing welfare support for many of the iconic Belfast music festivals including AVA, Belsonic, Botanic, Féile an Phobail, Custom House Square, Emerge and Snow Patrol! Our wonderful volunteers have been well accustomed to sick buckets and gloves but they always take it in their stride with a smile on their faces. As students return to University and as Halloween approaches, we are ready for whatever the next few months throws at us, ready to help whoever needs us!

We are thrilled to have been awarded the ‘Freedom of the City’ by Belfast City Council for our work on our Food Programme during the initial stages of the covid-19 pandemic. Some of our volunteers stepped up in a time of uncertainty to deliver food parcels to vulnerable individuals and families experiencing food poverty and isolation. We are so proud of each of them!

If you would like to know more about the work we do or if you are considering volunteering with us, then we would love to hear from you today. You can begin your volunteering journey with us at anytime and we don’t ask for any specific skills or experience. All we ask is that you have a big heart and an open mind! Please contact Caitlin or Stuart in our office using the below details.

Floors 2 & 3 Lanyon View, East Bridge Street, Belfast BT1 3PH Tel - 02890 664 505 Email - info@sosbusni.com