SOS Bus NI has welcomed Fleur Anderson MP, Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, to its operation in Belfast, During her visit, Ms. Anderson met with Trustees, staff, and volunteers to gain firsthand insight into the charity’s vital work supporting vulnerable individuals across the city.
The visit began with a tour of the charity’s distinctive yellow bus, where Ms. Anderson learned about the programmes behind SOS NI’s emergency first aid, mental health support, and compassionate care services. Roy Johnston, long-standing SOS NI Volunteer Team Leader and Caitlin McCartney, Operations and Stakeholder Manager demonstrated how the charity’s innovative programmes provide a lifeline for individuals who are homeless, facing addiction and mental health challenges, or in crisis during busy weekends, public events, and festivals.
Following the tour, Ms. Anderson joined the team at SOS NI’s offices for tea and a presentation outlining the charity’s impact. This included highlights of the almost 20,000 volunteer hours delivered annually, interventions with over 3,000 vulnerable individuals last year, and the organisation’s critical role in reducing pressure on emergency services including the PSNI and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.
Ms. Anderson praised the dedication of the SOS NI team and said, “SOS Bus NI is a shining example of grassroots compassion in action. The support provided to those in crisis is invaluable, and the volunteers and staff are a credit to Northern Ireland. It has been a privilege to meet the team and hear about their future plans.”
“It was a pleasure to showcase the vital work we do in Belfast and beyond,” said Chairperson Mags Dunne. “We hope this visit helps shine a light on the growing, and ever evolving, needs of our community and the crucial role SOS NI plays in supporting a safer and more successful night-time economy here in Belfast.”