Bath Safe Bus, a safe space in the heart of Bath
Bath Safe Bus is a double award-winning project, part of the Bath BID’s Safe and Secure BCRP activities. The purpose of the Bath Safe Bus is to provide a safe space delivering welfare support and medical care in the city centre, reducing the burden on the emergency services, improving the perceived fear of crime, reducing violence against women and girls and improving women’s safety.
The Safe Bus runs every Friday and Saturday from 10.30pm to 4.00am and may be available for other busy nights such as Bank Holidays, Fresher’s Week, and other big events in the city of Bath.
Parked on Orange Grove, the Safe Bus is in the heart of the city and easy to find.
Staffed by Medical Professionals and the Suicide Prevention UK Welfare Team, it provides ‘first response’ help to the community, including visitors, students, and residents. It also supports the emergency services to reduce 999 calls.
Pubs, clubs, members of the public and emergency services can call the Safe Bus for assistance and advice if they have a concern about someone’s wellbeing.
Who we are?
The Bath Safe Bus is a part of the Bath BIDs’ Safe and Secure Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) and works in collaboration with the Emergency Services, B&NES Council, University of Bath, Bath Spa University, Suicide Prevention UK, Venues and Bath City Pastors.
What do we do?
We offer immediate assistance to anyone requiring a safe space while visiting Bath’s pubs, clubs and nightlife on Fridays and Saturday nights. We provide immediate non-judgemental, independent medical help and support.
We aim to reduce unnecessary ambulance call-outs and attendance at A&E and free up Police Officer time by offering immediate assistance to anyone at risk presenting themselves to the Bath Safe Bus team. The team is in radio contact with the Police, Ambulance Services, CCTV, local pubs and nightclubs via a digital radio system, by which clients are frequently referred to the
service.
As well as offering medical care and emotional support, the Bath Safe Bus also offers the following services and amenities:
The team is here to help.
SPONSORS
We are delighted to share the following businesses are sponsors of the Bath Safe Bus:
Partners
For this project, Bath BID teamed up with:
Donate
Help us raise £15,000 to support the Bath Safe Bus, a non-judgemental safe space for anyone who becomes vulnerable in Bath city centre on Friday and Saturday nights.
The cost of transporting an intoxicated person to A & E is £2000 (NHS Digital), and the cost of someone attending A & E starts at £418 (The Kings Fund 2021).
Since the launch of the project in March 2023, we have achieved some fantastic results. We have supported 634 people altogether, dealing with 338 welfare incidents, and 289 medical incidents that have been fully resolved by the Bath Safe Bus and prevented calls to the emergency services. On that basis with the cost of someone attending A & E starting at £418 (The Kings Fund 2021), and the cost of transporting an intoxicated or injured person to A & E and if they require a bed overnight is up to £722 (Hudgell Solicitors), we have calculated the Bath Safe Bus has saved £120,802 in A & E costs and £208,658 in transportation and overnight stays at hospital.
The results demonstrate that the Safe Bus is having a significant impact in reducing NHS pressures and improving safety within Bath’s thriving night-time economy. The Bath Safe Bus has received national recognition within the BID industry and regional recognition, by winning the Civic and over Platinum Award at the Bath Life Awards 2024.
For the first year, funding was provided by the Home Office via the Safer Streets Fund. In order to continue its successful operation and to keep the bus on the road we need to raise significant funds. The main cost for the bus is the fully qualified Ambulance Technician or Paramedic who ensures that the service provided is both safe and of the highest standard.
To learn more about the project, please contact Nick Bishop or follow us on social media
