Luton’s SOS Bus Luton has celebrated its first birthday this month – helping organisers say 500 people on Friday and Saturday nights in Luton town centre.
Since the bus launched last year it has helped 548 people, provided first aid for 307 people, prevented 168 ambulance call outs saving the NHS about £50,400. The SOS Bus is used for special events in the town including the recent protests and during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
SOS Bus organiser, Carly Stokes, of the Safer Luton Partnership, said: “The main people the SOS Bus looks after are people in need of first aid, victims of crime that need some extra support, people that would like some advice, people that have had too much to drink and need looking after and much more.
“The SOS Bus has a team of over 60 volunteers but is always in need of more volunteers, especially bus drivers. If working on the bus is not your thing then there are plenty of other volunteering opportunities such as helping to fundraise, administration, promoting the bus to businesses and the community and much more.”
If you would like to know more about Luton’s SOS Bus or if you are interested in becoming a volunteercall Carly on 01582 480770 for more details.
The SOS Bus has beenbusy during its first year and is always out in St Georges Square on Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm to 4am. Nicola Perry, Partnership Manager for soLUTiONs, Luton’s Community Safety Partnership, said: "The SOS Bus Luton has done a fantastic job over the last year and we would like to congratulate its team of volunteers who have made it the success that it is. Reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in the town centre at night is a priority for the community safety partnership and the presence of the SOS Bus helps to promote Luton as a safe destination where people can enjoy a fun evening out. We wish the SOS Bus all the best for the coming year."
The SOS Luton Bus and SOS mini bus is managed by the charity – the SLP, with the financial support of the soLUTiONs, Luton’s Community Safety Partnership, Bedfordshire Police, the Criminal Justice Board, Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service, TKAP, East of England Ambulance Service, and local businesses Arriva, Vauxhall Motors, Motorbodies and Tesco.
