Bath Safe Bus, a safe place in the heart of Bath
Bath Safe Bus is a new project, part of the Bath BID’s Safe and Secure activities. It aims to provide a safe space for vulnerable people late at night during weekends.
The Safe Bus will run every Friday and Saturday from 10:30 p.m. to 04:30 and may be available for other busy nights such as Bank Holidays, Fresher’s Week, and other big events in the city of Bath.
Staffed by medical, security and volunteer teams, it will provide ‘first response’ help to the community, including visitors, students, and residents. It will also support the emergency services to reduce 999 calls.
In its first 35 weeks, the Bath Safe Bus has:
- Supported 298 People
- Supported with 184 Welfare Incidents
- Cared for 122 Medical Incidents
- Prevented 116 Medical Incidents from calling the Emergency Services
The bus will be parked on Orange Grove. People can access the Safe Bus by walking in off the street and can be brought in by friends or members of the public. 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.
Find out more:
Who we are?
The Bath Safe Bus is a part of the Bath BIDs’ Safe and Secure Business Crime Reduction Partnership and will work in collaboration with the Emergency Services, B&NES Council, the Universities, 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:
- Tea and Coffee Facilities
- Phone Charging
- Spare Clothing
- Sexual Health Products
- Female Hygiene products
- Flip Flops
- Food
- Support Leaflets
- More importantly, a welcoming and friendly face!
The team is here to help.
Partners
For this project, Bath BID teamed up with
- Avon and Somerset Police
- Suicide Preventions UK
- Hardcore Medical and Ambulance Services
- Orbital Security
- University of Bath
- Bath College
- Bath Spa University
- Bath and North East Somerset Council
- Youth Connect South West
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 Bath Safe Bus has been in operation since March 31st 2023. Since its launch, the Safe Bus has supported 322 vulnerable people, including 139 presenting with medical issues of which 133 were fully resolved at the bus and the patients were safely transported home, avoiding the need to call emergency services.
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).
On that basis, we estimate that from 31st March – 31st December 2023 the Safe Bus has led to £266,000 in transportation costs via ambulance and £55,594 in direct A & E costs. A total of £321,594 saved.
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 early achievements were also recognised at this years Bath Life Awards winning the Civic category, but also the overall Platinum Award Winner.
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 (FREC 5) onboard 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
