SOS Bus
SOS Bus exists to provide crisis intervention and welfare support for vulnerable people on our streets when no one else is there to help. Our 220 highly trained volunteers are dedicated to providing unconditional care to anyone who needs it.
3 sixty-foot flexi buses
Our big buses operate as hubs in the city centre from which our volunteers provide welfare and medical care.
4 response mini-buses
Our response teams use mini-buses to bring vulnerable people around the city to the big buses, where volunteers can provide in-depth care.
220 volunteers
Our highly trained volunteers are our greatest asset. They provide the care and support that our clients need.
SOS Bus is a non-judgemental, safe space space in which everyone is treated equally and our volunteers can provide the right level of support to help each client. Our volunteers regularly help young people get home to their families, provide refreshments and emotional support to homeless people, and signpost individuals with complex needs to the right organisations. All volunteers are fully trained so they can effectively help clients with all variety of issues.
Since we began operating in 2007, our volunteers have engaged with 359,744 people on the streets of Belfast, provided in-depth medical and caring services to 14,162 vulnerable people, and have been proven to save at least 25 lives.
18,000
Volunteer Hours
163
Volunteer Shifts
1662
clients were treated on the SOS Bus
Engaged with 30,000 vulnerable people
In 2019:
204 clients were transported to A&E or the Bradbury ARC by our minibus response teams.
299 clients received listening ear support,
23 of whom had been suffering from suicidal thoughts.
460 clients were transported home or to a place of safety by SOS minibus response teams.
111 vulnerable people were treated for a medical problem,
76 required no further medical intervention.
1131 vulnerable people came to the bus with injuries or illness as a result of substance misuse.
373 clients were referred to the SOS Bus by the PSNI or bar/club security staff or other partner.
SOS NI works to provide a compassionate and caring welfare service for people that find themselves in vulnerable situations during the busy night-time economy and at events around the city.