ewton


he charity The Bus Shelter IOW. BUS SHELTER


up to end the need for anyone to sleep rough on the Isle of


er closed in February this year we have been trying to source a has proved to be to expensive. So we thought outside the box a double decker bus and convert it.


“SLEEP IS ONLY THE BEGINNING”


Since the night shelter closed in February this year we have been trying to source a new building but that has proved to be too expensive. So we thought outside the box and decided to buy a double decker bus and convert it.


We raised £7000 in 2 weeks to buy her. The bus will provide temporary accommodation for


up to 16 rough sleepers on the Island.


ased from York and delivered to the Island. She is 18 years s reportedly only 3 years old. We raised £7000 in 2 weeks to


She will be based at Carisbrooke Priory on the paddock at the side, subject to planning permission to remove a tree, which doesn't have a TPO on it but is in a conservation area.


temporary accommodation for up to 16 rough sleepers on the


drivers, to Shanklin, Sandown, Ryde and Newport then back to Carisbrooke. The bus will have designated stops with a 10 minute window either side.


up and dressed by 9am. Anyone who misses the bus can still come to the base at Carisbrooke until 11pm. We will perform the collection run until we get an empty run, then we will send a car round to check for any newcomers. In reality, anyone new would go to the council to register as homeless and then be signposted to us if nothing else is available. Everyone who uses the services of The Bus Shelter IOW must be registered as homeless with the IOW Council.


Everyone who sleeps on board needs to sign up to The Bus Shelter IOW program, be willing to abide by the rules and accept the help provided. We are expecting to have the following services on board on different days: Housing options, Benefits, Physical and Mental Health, Samaritans, Life Coaching, help with reading and writing and Job searching. We are a registered charity and we intend to open a charity shop for the homeless and encourage them to volunteer in the shop. We also have allotments available at the Priory and will encourage them to work these as a therapeutic activity. The option to volunteer at the Priory is also available. In the future we hope to open a waste food sandwich shop, similar to the Social Bites shops in Scotland. The shop is run by the homeless people with supervision and 100% of profits go to the homeless employees to help save for deposits and pay rents.


Our aim is 12 to break the cycle and routine of ROTARY WESSEX NEWS I ISSUE 21 I SUMMER 2017 As our Mantra says "Sleep is only the beginning".


We will then feed our guests and relax in the evening. Everyone will be expected to be in bed by 11pm and


The bus will be driven from there by our volunteer bus


from York and delivered to the Island. She is 18 years old and her engine is reportedly only 3 years old.


The bus was purchased


homelessness and allow the homeless people to regain their dignity and place in society. When a person is found permanent accommodation, we follow up the support with a mentoring scheme, helping them with budgeting and offering emotional support. From the front where the driver is there is a door into the lounge/ kitchen area. On the right is a fitted kitchen with one of the windows opening outwards to allow serving outside. This is followed by seating areas, which are divided up with partitions. These seating areas are to be used by the services coming onboard, for the guests on the bus to have their meals and then at night, the tables drop down and create 4 beds. The rear 2 beds will be for guests and front 2 for volunteers. There will be a door cut into the side of the bus which will lead into the toilet/ shower trailer. Next to the door is additional seating and a tv.


towards the front on the right, will be a chemical toilet/ changing area. On the left will be 10 bunk pods and 6 more on the right side. Under 2 of the bunks will be 2 pull out beds for emergency use. There will be lots of storage space under the bunks and 2 water tanks will be stored on the right side and 1 on the left for balance. They will be permanently fixed and filled via non-return valve outside.


an awning attached to a pull out canopy. This will provide vital additional seating space outside. Each pod will have its own curtain for privacy and low voltage LED lighting, which is controlled by each guest. Each pod will also have a locker and a plug socket.


programme and will be allocated a bunk pod on licence for a week at a time. If the person stays longer than a week, then their licence on that pod, is automatically renewed. If someone leaves mid week and doesn't return on licence renewal day, then that pod will be reallocated. This not only helps with laundry, which will be washed, off site, every week but as each bunk pod is numbered, the guest gets an address and a sense of security. We will have 20 letter trays corresponding to the bunks at The Priory so that each bunk has a P.O. Box, therefore an address to get benefits, register with medical services and housing. If the pods are full then overflow tents will be available. The bus will be staffed by volunteers and eventually a manager.


The support of the homeless community that will be created on the bus is a unique project and the first in the world. A massive coup for the island!


Shelter IOW. We are The Bus Each of the guests signs up for The Bus Shelter IOW On the opposite side of the bus from the trailer will be This leads to the stairs to the upper deck. Upstairs


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