Emergency mobile: 07901 505 505 Fri-Sat 10pm-2:30am / Mon-Fri 2pm-6pm

About SOS Bus NI.

SOS Bus exists to provide crisis intervention and welfare support for vulnerable people in Belfast, reducing pressure on emergency services and creating a visible safe space on the streets.

SOS Bus NI volunteers in front of the bus

Built around volunteers and safe spaces.

1,800Crisis interventions each year
200People can come through the QUB Tuesday drop-in
140Current volunteers
2Day time and night time services
SOS Bus NI volunteers and partners at the bus

A non-judgemental safe space.

SOS Bus volunteers provide welfare support, first aid, mental health intervention and community safety. Volunteers are trained to help anyone who becomes vulnerable.

Services include day time and night time street support, a Tuesday evening drop-in at Queen's University Belfast, first aid, signposting, safe transport, harm reduction and calm listening support.

  • Victims of assault
  • People experiencing homelessness
  • Those in fear of violence or crime
  • People needing listening ear support
  • Victims of substance misuse
  • People injured or unwell
  • Lonely or isolated people
  • People experiencing suicidal thoughts

What volunteers provide.

Welfare Support

  • Shelter
  • Listening skills
  • JAM Card friendly support
  • Refreshments: tea, coffee, soup and bread
  • Warm clothes, flip flops and sleeping bags
  • Support and transport to get home safe or to a place of safety
  • Mobile phone charging

First Aid

  • First aid provision
  • Defibrillators
  • Harm reduction and substance use support
  • Naloxone provision
  • Transport to ARC or A&E
  • Referral to PHA funded partners

Mental Health

  • Mental health intervention
  • Suicide awareness and intervention
  • Safe Talk
  • Listening skills
  • Signposting and referral pathways
  • Transport to A&E

Community Safety

  • Strategic network support during the Night Time Economy
  • Homelessness support and referral to partners
  • Signposting Hub
  • Refuge for those in fear of violence or assault
  • Responding to PSNI welfare calls

Day time and night time programmes.

01

Day Time Programme

Monday-Friday, 2pm-6pm

The daytime service provides a visible safe space, signposting and welfare support when vulnerable people need help during the week.

02

Night Time Services

Friday and Saturday nights, Shaftesbury Square, 10pm-2:30am

Night time volunteers support people in Belfast city centre, helping reduce unnecessary pressure on PSNI, NIAS and emergency departments.

03

Working in Partnership

SOS NI works with emergency services, statutory services, charities, businesses, schools, universities and community groups to help meet serious social problems and make Belfast safer for everyone.