The region’s most vulnerable will soon have another “sorely needed” option when a unique charity rolls into town.
The Sunshine Coast’s first Pink Sleepbus is set to launch in a few short weeks, providing vulnerable women and children a specialised service that ensures them a safe haven to sleep.
After a few mechanical speed bumps prevented a roadworthy for the bus sooner, the second service of its kind for the region will leave the charity’s depot in Melbourne next week bound for Maroochydore.
It will be driven up by Sleepbus CEO and founder Simon Rowe, who created the charity in response to the rising number of vulnerable women exposed to domestic violence.
“There’s been some challenges but we persevered and here we finally are,” he said.
“We know the need and how many safe sleeps we have already provided in Maroochydore, so we know that we need this vehicle out there.”
With a high number of female teenagers presenting at Maroochydore’s original Sleepbus, he said the service was needed now more than ever.
“It’s a result of the cost-of-living pressure, they just can’t afford the rent and then they are forced onto the streets,” he said.
“Couch surfing only lasts so long for people.
“The idea of Sleepbus is that we need to be able to provide people with the option, because at the moment there aren’t enough options.
“We want to make sure that we’re there should they need it. If we can get people out of a bit of a pickle, even just for the weekend, and give them a safe place to go and stay warm then that’s what we want to do.”
The newly fitted-out bus features 10 secure self-contained lockable sleeping pods, complete with double bunks, clean sheets and pillows, TV, USB phone-charging ports, climate controls and access to lockable toilets.
The new homelessness service is the result of a tireless fundraising community campaign led by the Maroochydore Neighbourhood Centre, which has raised $200,000 for both Sleepbus services.
But Mr Rowe said more funding was needed, specifically a business sponsor to chip in $50,000 to run the project for a year.
“We can’t operate and we can’t provide safe sleeps without donations to keep it on the road,” he said.
“A good portion of the money that comes in goes back to supporting our volunteers and making sure they are looked after.
“We give them things like merchandise when they reach milestones, so we need to cover those costs.
“Then obviously, there’s repair and maintenance costs of the vehicle itself, so that when it goes out it’s in good running order.
If people are not in the position to donate, he said the next best thing was to get out and volunteer at the new service.
To celebrate the arrival of the Pink Sleepbus, he invited the public to an official open day on Saturday, September 2, at the Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre, 2 Fifth Avenue, Maroochydore, from 11am to 2pm.
“People can just come and have a look, ask some questions and if they want to sign up to volunteer, we will happily accept. We will have the Blue Sleepbus there that day too,” he said.
“We need both male and female volunteers for the service.”
The permanent parking location of the service, which will be in close proximity to the Blue Sleepbus on Aerodrome Road, will soon be released on the charity’s Facebook page and website.
The Pink Sleepbus rolls in at 8pm, with boarding at 8.30pm and the doors closing at 10pm, with guests and a female overnight caretaker safely inside.
“Everybody gets a wake-up call at 7am and jumps off, then the bus will leave by 8am,” Mr Rowe.
“It then heads back to the depot at Kunda Park to get cleaned by our volunteer housekeeping crew and gets ready for the next night.
“We can’t wait to drive the bus up and launch the service.”
To become a volunteer for the Pink or Blue Sleepbus services click here.
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