Safer Streets
In a well-received presentation to the Club meeting Monday 21 February Joanne McQuillan, SOS Bus explained they aim, by their presence, to create safer streets on the streets of Belfast and ease pressure on the PSNI, emergency departments, NIAS 
and other frontline services as well as GPs and pharmacies. Their fleet, which are yellow to make them stand out, comprise 3 60ft Flexi-buses, 4 response mini-buses and an Alcohol Recovery Centre with 8 beds.
During the pandemic they used their vehicles to deliver food and essentials those who were isolating, just out of hospital etc. having been referred to them by Holy Rosary, Engage with Age, St Vincent de Paul and the Rosetta Community Centre. She noted that 3,512 meals were delivered but they were most proud of the doorstep conversations the volunteers were able to have as that was the only outside contact received.
Joanne pointed out that they currently run 3 types of service: Night time – 10pm-3am Friday and Saturday with a big bus in Shaftsbury Square and 3 roving mini-buses, Day-time 2pm-6pm Mon-Fri and an Event Service – aiming to support 15-19 yr olds attending concerts who in many cases are out for the first time.
She concluded that their partnerships have built up over the years, they have worked very hard to create and maintain a sustainable funding model and are confident they can continue to deliver in the future making streets safer for all.