Stay Safe Bus

A safe haven for Torbay at night, the Stay Safe Bus is a multi-agency initiative to meet the needs of any person in Torquay's Harbour side area. It is a first point of contact for those whose well-being is threatened by: inability to get home, illness or injury, emotional distress, or other vulnerability.

Overview of Project
Led by Torbay Council in partnership with Safer Communities Torbay 'Stay Safe' is an ambitious and innovative new community safety project due to pilot in Torbay this Christmas. The project will take the form of a refitted single decker bus outfitted to operate as a static minor injuries clinic and will be located on the harbourside area of Torquay on a seasonal basis. It is intended that the service will operate on a Friday and Saturday night from evening to early morning through the Christmas, Easter and Summer periods.

The project is based on a similar initiative that has been running very successfully in Norwich since 2001, and as well as providing a first stop assessment service for those ill or injured or suffering the effects of drink or drugs, it will also provide a first point of contact for those whose well being is threatened by inability to get home, emotional distress or other vulnerability.

The project will be manned by a mixture of professional staff, including a dedicated paramedic, and trained and inducted volunteers.

This project has the potential to save lives and make the nightime experience in Torbay a safer one for resident and visitor alike.

Christmas Pilot
The Stay Safe Scheme piloted over Christmas in the form of an ambulance based on the harbourside between 10pm and 2am on the 16/17, 23/24 and 30/31 December. 28 people were treated with after presenting themselves with a wide range of issues. These included being drunk, suffering the effects of drugs (or a combination of both), victims of assault, injuries as a result of a fall, being lost, having run out of money and with no mean of contacing friends/family, unable to get home, asthma/panic attacks and domestic disputes. Of these cases the majority were in the 18-24 age bracket with two young people, one aged 16 and one 17 years old.

All clients would no doubt have ended up in A&E, police cells or in a vulnerable situation had it not been for the intervention work of the Project. This represents a considerable freeing up of emergency service

Volunteers
If you feel you would like to become part of this ground breaking project and help form a dynamic team then contact the Project Co-ordinator Mark Richards 0n 01803 208091 or email environmental.protection@torbay.gov.uk. Full training and induction provided.

For further information on a similar scheme: www.sosbus.co.uk

Partners
The Stay Safe Project is a multi-agency based initiative that counts Westcountry Ambulance Trust, Devon and Cornwall Police, the Primary Care Trust, Devon Fire Service, Safer Communities Torbay, Stagecoach Devon and many of Torbay's pubs and clubs as its partners.

For further information on the scheme or to volunteer contact:
Mark Richards - Project Manager
Email: environmental.protection@torbay.gov.uk
Tel: 01803 208091
Fax: 01803 208854

Contact Address
Environmental Protection
Roebuck House
Abbey Road
Torquay
Devon
TQ2 5EJ