JUST over 12 months ago, we witnessed the introduction of a sleepbus to Hervey Bay that now provides a safe and comfortable sleep for the homeless APEX three nights a week.
The initiative was all made possible due to a $100,000 donation by the Community Bank Hervey Bay, part of the Bendigo Bank, sleepbus has changed the lives of hundreds of people that struggle to find what most of our population take for granted.
The generous donation has afforded the build of a sleepbus vehicle, which provides a safe, temporary overnight accommodation service, providing the homeless an immediate, first stop, cost-effective solution for our society’s most vulnerable.
The value of a comfortable night sleep can never be underestimated.
sleepbus has up to 20 secure, climate controlled, individual sleep pods with a lockable door and toilet. Everyone is looked after with overnight volunteer caretakers and CCTV surveillance, with under bus storage for belongings, and pets are welcome to stay also.
This operation does not happen with the important contribution from local volunteers.
Nat ‘slumberjack’ Genoni, Services Coordinator for sleepbus, says the service relies on volunteers and someone’s night sleep is determined by their support.
“Some of the busiest nights we have experienced from supporting regions across Australia has been in Hervey Bay”, says Nat.
“We have diehard core volunteers that makes this happen, but we need more so we don’t burn these wonderful people out”.
There are four main roles they require volunteers with:
• Caretaker
• Service Volunteer
• Housekeeping
• Driver
Nat says the Caretaker role in particular needs recruitment as they currently rely on a few people for the 12 hour shift. She says they protected in a safe environment and they train all volunteers prior to being in the roles.
“We are happy to train anyone before they make the decision to volunteer”, says Nat.
One of their most popular Hervey Bay volunteers is 11 year old Toby. He provided housekeeping support and even turned up for sleepbus with a broken ankle, happily delegating duties and stuffing pillows into cases.
Drivers are also challenging to find as they require a MR Licence with previous experience.
People who are interested can check out all the roles and videos on their volunteer page and you can sign up and get onboard! www.sleepbus.org/volunteer
