On Saturday 30^th November, six first year Level 3 Public Services students from SERC Bangor will participate in the SOS Bus NI Sleep Out at Writer’s Square, Belfast to help raise awareness of the issues SOS Bus Volunteers face on our streets whilst raising money for the charity.

The students are currently studying the Volunteering in the Public Services unit. As part of completing this unit, the students must carry out voluntary work. The students are also working towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award and Millennium Volunteers, two additional qualifications which are embedded into their course as part of a hands- on project based approach to learning. By participating in this activity, they will accrue hours towards these qualifications which will enhance employability skills.

All six students have already had a taste of volunteering when they supervised obstacles at the Warrior Assault event in September. The students have been learning about the work of SOS Bus in relation to their assistance to PSNI and NIAS, with SOS Bus commonly referred to as the fourth emergency service.

The students will brave the cold wintery weather under the shadow of St Anne’s Cathedral in the heart of Belfast from 7pm until 7am whilst being woken up to the background noise of sirens, traffic and footfall of people making their way home from nights out partying. This will allow the students to realise the difficulties many homeless people in our community must contend with whilst raising money for a charity at the front line of supporting them.

SOS Bus provide safe spaces on the streets of Belfast during weekend nights. They provide medical attention, transport to places of safety,
emotional care, refreshments, signposting to service providers and provisions including sleeping bags to those in need. They commonly work with victims of crime, those suffering mental health issues, people under the influence of drugs or alcohol, injured people, isolated people and homeless. Since it’s inception in 2007, SOS Bus volunteers have engaged with over 351,489  people, provided medical and caring services to 13,711 vulnerable people and have been proven to save at least 25 lives.

On behalf of these brave, selfless students, I would be very grateful if you could spare a couple of minutes and donate a small amount of money through this just giving page. All proceeds will go to SOS Bus NI, a local volunteer led welfare service delivered on Friday and Saturday nights in Belfast city centre. You can also follow their journey through our Facebook page- SERC Public Services.