Woman Transforms Double-Decker Bus Into Shelter For Homeless, And Here’s How It Looks From Inside
With the cold months quickly descending upon us, it’s time to start working harder to get people off the streets and into a warm bed. Two UK women have taken hold of the sweeping new ‘bus shelter’ trend, and have carried out a project that saw an entire community come together for a brilliant cause.
Portsmouth residents Sammy Barcroft and Joanne Vines, leaders of charity group The Rucksack Project, decided to join the wave of organizations turning disused vehicles into mobile homeless shelters. They managed to pick up a double-decker Stagecoach bus slated for scrap, and put out an urgent call for help with its renovation into a sanctuary on wheels. Eight months, $8000, and about 70 to 80 workers later, the bus was fitted with 12 bunk beds, a lounge, and a fully-functional kitchenette. Many of the renovators involved donated their time, making the finished job worth more than $33k in total.
“I’m delighted it’s finished and it’s staying in Portsmouth but I’m also happy to have a rest,” Vines told Metro UK at the end of the mammoth undertaking. The brand new shelter is soon to be proudly parked in front of St. Agatha’s Church, where it will hopefully go on to help some of the estimated 300,000 homeless people currently living in Britain.
Scroll down to see it for yourself, and feel the amazement human generosity can bring.
Image credits: Paul Jacobs
Image credits: Paul Jacobs
Image credits: Paul Jacobs
Image credits: Paul Jacobs
Image credits: Paul Jacobs
Image credits: Paul Jacobs
Image credits: Paul Jacobs
Image credits: Paul Jacobs
Image credits: Paul Jacobs
Image credits: Paul Jacobs
Image credits: Paul Jacobs
Image credits: Paul Jacobs
Image credits: Paul Jacobs
340Kviews
Share on FacebookThis an excellent reuse of something! Hopefully they will receive the support they need to make more.
Ahh quick some upvote me to 14 before we jinks the whole project ! Lol
Load More Replies...I think that the government (at least in the US) needs to do something. They should have government funded buses like these that can go around picking people up. But there are so many other options -some even on BP- that are cheap and effective. Any others from around the world that know of such a program in their country? America, we need to step it up a notch.
Just like addicts, homeless people are an industry. It's actually much cheaper to house people than it is to have all the services needed to keep people house-less when you add in the costs of shelters, free meal programs, mental health services, jail costs, etc etc etc. Salt Lake City has managed to house like 95% or more of their house-less, so it is possible but many don't understand or care enough to ask that it be handled. Especially with all these republicans in office, actually after this new tax plan, it's definitely going to get worse. I live in a city that is totally swamped with people on the streets (Portland, Oregon) and we are headed into winter. It's so heartbreaking to me. Just a couple nights ago I decided to drag out two quilts and a couple pillows, some gloves, and $10 to the woman who was sleeping just outside my window. I wanted to bring her in, but I know that's not a wise decision as a single female, although I feel it would've been fine.
Load More Replies...I would bet folding money that it is sparkling apple juice or the equivalent. Anyone w exposure to people sleeping rough would know better.
Load More Replies...That this a great idea!!! I hope they built tons of these for the homeless population.... they need shelter.... and to be loved
A meal, a shower, a good bed and a nights sleep away from the elements can make a world of difference.
It's a great idea, pity it isn't the government we pay taxes to that's addressing the issue
Brilliant and well done for thinking of those less fortunate than most of us.
Great idea and well done ladies for completing the project!! Need more of these all over the country!
This is a charter bus, and usually charter buses do have a small lavatory (similar to those on airplanes). So I expect that there is a tiny toilet and sink in the bus.
Load More Replies...Haha yeah that's what I thought! It's like the Knight Bus!
Load More Replies...This is a beautiful project, I wonder if longer term housing by FEMA is this well done?
You don't know that for sure. There's nothing in the article that says they were influenced by a tour bus in Vietnam. They may not even know that it exists. I know that I've done things when I was younger that I though no one had done before but then I would find an article that shows the exact same thing. The point of this story is that THEY did something about homelessness.
Load More Replies...Probably laid on for the local paper and council members to come and view the finished project before opening it up to the first night's occupancy. Also, the church members and other members of the public would be invited to view it.
Load More Replies...This an excellent reuse of something! Hopefully they will receive the support they need to make more.
Ahh quick some upvote me to 14 before we jinks the whole project ! Lol
Load More Replies...I think that the government (at least in the US) needs to do something. They should have government funded buses like these that can go around picking people up. But there are so many other options -some even on BP- that are cheap and effective. Any others from around the world that know of such a program in their country? America, we need to step it up a notch.
Just like addicts, homeless people are an industry. It's actually much cheaper to house people than it is to have all the services needed to keep people house-less when you add in the costs of shelters, free meal programs, mental health services, jail costs, etc etc etc. Salt Lake City has managed to house like 95% or more of their house-less, so it is possible but many don't understand or care enough to ask that it be handled. Especially with all these republicans in office, actually after this new tax plan, it's definitely going to get worse. I live in a city that is totally swamped with people on the streets (Portland, Oregon) and we are headed into winter. It's so heartbreaking to me. Just a couple nights ago I decided to drag out two quilts and a couple pillows, some gloves, and $10 to the woman who was sleeping just outside my window. I wanted to bring her in, but I know that's not a wise decision as a single female, although I feel it would've been fine.
Load More Replies...I would bet folding money that it is sparkling apple juice or the equivalent. Anyone w exposure to people sleeping rough would know better.
Load More Replies...That this a great idea!!! I hope they built tons of these for the homeless population.... they need shelter.... and to be loved
A meal, a shower, a good bed and a nights sleep away from the elements can make a world of difference.
It's a great idea, pity it isn't the government we pay taxes to that's addressing the issue
Brilliant and well done for thinking of those less fortunate than most of us.
Great idea and well done ladies for completing the project!! Need more of these all over the country!
This is a charter bus, and usually charter buses do have a small lavatory (similar to those on airplanes). So I expect that there is a tiny toilet and sink in the bus.
Load More Replies...Haha yeah that's what I thought! It's like the Knight Bus!
Load More Replies...This is a beautiful project, I wonder if longer term housing by FEMA is this well done?
You don't know that for sure. There's nothing in the article that says they were influenced by a tour bus in Vietnam. They may not even know that it exists. I know that I've done things when I was younger that I though no one had done before but then I would find an article that shows the exact same thing. The point of this story is that THEY did something about homelessness.
Load More Replies...Probably laid on for the local paper and council members to come and view the finished project before opening it up to the first night's occupancy. Also, the church members and other members of the public would be invited to view it.
Load More Replies...
598
49