The Omnibus Project: the bus running a variety of services & providing a safe, friendly and welcoming space for everyone, all day long. It is a space where passengers on board become active participants in community.

We're an active church community with a heart for Mitcham, particularly the Eastfield estate, which suffers from the highest level of deprivation in the London Borough of Merton and has the accompanying social issues. The Eastfield estate is undergoing a significant redevelopment - the longest redevelopment in the United Kingdom - and it's residents are consequently experiencing significant changes, turbulence and uncertainty surrounding the transition. The Salvation Army in Mitcham is adaptable and we're always exploring innovative ways to bring about transformation in individual lives and in the community. The Omnibus Project is a creative way of enabling us to develop our work further and crucially, help us improve the lives of local residents; many of which are desperately looking for a 'third space' to socialise and mutually support one another during this period of extreme stress.

The Omnibus Project is about creating a safe, welcoming space where people of all ages, genders, sexual orientation, faith and social status can come on board, access support and find community. The Eastfield estate is described by the Ward’s Profile Document as being “One of the most deprived wards in Merton, with below average levels of income, qualifications and skilled residents and higher level of benefit claimants.” From engagement with local residents and conversations with Merton Council representatives, we know that the estate has no informal meeting points – or ‘third space’ – for people to socialise and access support. We also know, from conversations with the local Residents Association and other community groups (schools), that there is a desire from local residents to make connections, but a lack of geographical locations to gather stands as an obstacle to this happening. With this in mind, we’re seeking to provide community needs by running a bus project. The Omnibus, kitted with kitchenette, seating areas and flexible multi-use space on the upper deck, will enable us to run several different services, including emergency food provision, debt advice, employment support, craft events and other social activities designed for older residents, Coffee Mornings, Kids Club, Street Based Youthwork, and a hub for local street sleepers. Many of these activities will be run collaboratively with local agencies & charities.

The Omnibus Project is multigenerational, providing projects and programmes for all ages. The Residents Association (RA) are particularly excited about the prospect of enhancing provision for local young people through the planned Kids Club and Street Based Youth Work. The RA is also enthusiastic about having a safe, welcoming and accessible local space for ‘shut-ins’ and residents suffering from depression & poor mental health. Merton Street Pastors, who we will collaborate with to engage with street sleepers and drinkers, are also excited about this project and recognise the benefits the bus will bring to their existing work in the area. Merton Youth Services are keen to use the bus as a hub for their youth workers, which they will seek to deploy in the estate. School children will also benefit from the bus when it visits their learning environment. There will therefore be numerous target beneficiaries with this project.

We have worked alongside the Eastfield Estate Residents Association in developing this project. We’ve also held productive discussions with Merton Council, our local MP, London bus companies and community stake holders.

The Salvation Army is a Christian Church & registered Charity working in 130 countries worldwide and is one of the largest and most diverse providers of social welfare in the world. In the UK and Republic of Ireland this work includes more than 800 Salvation Army social service centres and community churches. We provide unconditional friendship, support and very practical help to people in crisis and need and work with children, homeless people, all adult victims of modern slavery and those dealing with drug and/or alcohol addiction.