Our History

Belfast SOS Bus was launched on 27th November 2007. To date 11 councils and/or police forces from different towns and cities throughout the UK have visited us. Several of these have now established their own SOS Bus. The project is listed as ‘best practice’ on the Home Office website for supporting people during the night time economy period.

We have a small fleet of vehicles including two 60ft ‘bendy buses’ each equipped with a fully functioning medical centre, crewed by a Pro Paramedics medical team, a bespoke minibus and two towed generators. The buses also have state of the art audio visual equipment including 50in plasma screen televisions (inside and out) complete with PS3 consuls and computers which provide IT access where ever they go.

Since November 2007 the SOS bus has been used to support people who have become distressed or vulnerable because they:

• are victims of violence
• have overindulged in alcohol/drugs
• feel threatened or isolated after becoming separated from their friends
• are homeless
• are in emotional distress

Our dedicated teams of volunteers reach out to those in need and bring them to the bus where they receive tea and biscuits, a chance to talk to someone who cares, medical attention and if required are taken to hospital or transported safely home.

Since October 2010, working in partnership with the venues operators, our second bus has been deployed at the Odyssey Arena where we have already saved lives and protected many vulnerable young people in need.

Overall this project has been recognised as a huge success and has drawn praise from many quarters including the PSNI, local politicians and the media and most importantly from many young people and their mums and dads.