SOS Bus Norwich volunteers step up for Freshers' Week support
Volunteers ready to assist students on a busy Friday night
As Freshers' Week kicks off in Norwich, the SOS Bus is set to be a vital presence on the city's busy streets this Friday night.
This evening, the SOS Bus will be out to provide support and assistance to anyone in need.
The SOS Bus Norwich is a dedicated service operating within the city centre, aimed at providing assistance to individuals whose well-being is compromised during night outs.
Running on select Friday and Saturday nights, the bus acts as a safe haven for anyone dealing with emotional distress, injury, or other vulnerabilities.
It also aids in preventing unnecessary visits to A&E and frees up the police's resources by offering practical help on the spot.
This evening, multiple volunteers will be on board to assist.
Belinda Buxton, the volunteer operational manager for the SOS Bus in Norwich, explained the array of services offered.
From phone charging and bottled water to guidance and agency signposting, the bus is ready to help.
Additionally, leaflets with valuable information are available for anyone needing support or advice.
The bus can also facilitate taxi arrangements and provides a friendly place for those feeling vulnerable or disoriented, particularly those new to Norwich:
"It's quite exciting being at university for the first time, you're out with your friends,
and sometimes the city is a strange place if you're not familiar with it."
Belinda also emphasised the importance of sensible footwear: "We have flip-flops available on the bus to avoid injuries from broken glass or walking barefoot."
Belinda shared top tips for a safe night out, advising students to stay with friends, ensure phones are charged, and pre-book taxis to avoid waiting on the streets alone:
"My main thing would be stay with your friends, look after each other, look out for each other, plan your journey home. charge your phone and pace yourselves."
She encourages students to set up their medical ID on smartphones:
" Another thing that's really important is to try and set up your emergency contacts on your phone, where you can put in details of who to contact in an emergency."