The Bus Shelter Ipswich - Outreach Program

27/04/2026

31/01/2026

Good morning followers ☺️

As some of you may remember, christmas eve and new years eve we we're out in town with CHEYS the outreach bus providing support for our homeless and just spreading a bit of joy for all that passed us.

Well we caught someone's eye and had a nice length chat on what we do and how we help, which then led to Gareth giving the guys business partner a video call tour of the bus 😅.

As well as making a donation on the evening via our QR code, their company SHL GROUP SERVICES based in Colchester have now set up a £500 per month sponsorship for a whole year.

Being a small community interest company, this is will make a huge difference and certainly ease a little pressure for us. If you get a chance, please pop over to their page and give them a like as a way of thanking them for us.

To find out how you can support us, please drop us a message.

The Bus Shelter Ipswich 🚌

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AvPgugAuC/

29/01/2026

Good evening followers ☺️

The couple of weeks has been relatively quite compared to a usual night on outreach but this week the numbers were up again and we had a busy evening. Didn't last long, as was still a little chilly for some to be standing around.

Everyone was well fed though and very grateful. We had on offer cottage pie, Indian spiced cauliflower and pasta soup, home made rice pudding, a selection of cakes and savourys and the good ole snack bag (crisps, choc bar and carton of juice) aswell as hot and cold drinks ☺️

Had a few requests for blankets, sleeping bags, gloves, clothing, toiletries and even dog food which we where full equipped to provide. The only thing we did lack was a size 10 pair of trainers, which to be fair wasn't a big deal as the gentleman only wanted them because he didn't like the ones he had 🤦🤷. Can't please them all, I guess !!

If you would like more info on how you can support what we do, please drop us a message ☺️

Until next week, stay safe, keep warm, be nice to others 😊

The Bus Shelter Ipswich Outreach Team 👥️

15/01/2026

Good evening followers ☺️

Sorry for the slow updates, had a million things going on but here we are ☺️

So this week's outreach was a fairly quietly so hopefully most where tucked away out of the elements. The ones we did see where given choice of hot drinks, cottage pie, home made fresh tomato soup, sandwiches, apple pies, Swiss rolls and a few other treats. We did assist a vulnerable older lady who was in town due to a friend passing, but after having her food and drinks realised she had missed her last bus back to Stowmarket 🤦. After looking at the options to get her home safely, we asked if she was able to contribute towards a taxi, which we booked and went halves with her.

Last week's outreach was alot busier with the usual supplies but with an added extra treat thanks to Freda, lily and George.

"Me, my sister and her boyfriend George recently made some donations to The Bus Shelter Ipswich, with donations from CGM Global Supplies and Castlers auctions. We put together goodie bags filled with essentials like toiletries, socks, hats, gloves, blankets and even some sweet treats. It was a small but meaningful way to give back, and we hoped the bags would offer both comfort and a reminder that people care. Putting everything together as a team made the experience especially rewarding"

Everyone was so pleased to have extra goodies and all so polite and well behaved, thats always a bonus ☺️.

I think thats all for now !

The Bus Shelter Ipswich Outreach Team 👥️

13/01/2026

Good morning followers 🤞

It is with a heavy heart and a lot of hope that I’m writing this but The Bus Shelter Ipswich needs your help for it to survive.

We are calling on the general public and local businesses to help us with some financial help.

We are often inundated with donations of clothing, toys, brica brac and media which is amazing but is also a slow return from getting the items, selling the items and then depositing the money into the bank.

Truth is, for us to survive as an organisation, we need financial donations.

There is so much we can do with the little resources we have but we need help doing this.

Answer me this,

• How many organisations can turn up in a high street and offer their homeless shower and toilet facilities for free? We can

• What other organisation can turn up in a high street and offer emergency accommodation in any weather? We can

• What other organisation take those in need on their circumstances and without prejudice or judgement, regardless of where they've come from? We can

• What other organisation let those in need, into our shop and get a complete change of clothes free of charge ? We do

• What other organisations offer a non referral food bank ? We do

These are just some of the services The Bus Shelter Ipswich CIC offers and with your help, we could offer a lot more.

We directly help those that are in need, regardless of their situation or background, can you help help us?

Are you in a position to make a one off donation?

Can you spare £5 - £10 per month as a regular donation?

Could you organise a fundraiser at work?

Could you help us arrange events or fundraiser?

Can you please share this with all your friends and family and get them to share as well

This could be the last year The Bus Shelter Ipswich is in existence if we can not increase the level of funds coming in.

We have many ways to donate, here are the easiest:

PayPal
https://www.paypal.me/TheBusShelterIpswich

Just Giving
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thebusshelteripswich2021?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL

Bank transfer/Standing Order
Message us for full details.

Thank you for taking the time to read the above and we thank you for your continued support.

The Bus Shelter Ipswich CIC

06/01/2026

Good evening followers 🥶

Thought I'd give you a quick update, its currently 02:05 and -5°C outside. Earlier this evening we had a police patrol ask us to keep an eye out for a missing person, gave us a description and said to call 999 if we spotted them. Sure enough about 9.30 we saw this person walk pass, we called and sure enough he was picked up. The police then brought the young lad to us and asked for help as he had nowhere to go. They had already spoke to salvation army who couldn't help and had no luck with IBC out of hours !!

Before I could commit to anything i asked the officers to do a background check to see if he was known or had any markers as such and there was nothing on record for him.

We now have a 24 yr old lad, sleeping safely upstairs after having hot food and plenty of hot drinks and snacks, oh and watching a film with us 😀.

He has a plan moving forward but will make sure he knows that he can reach out to us with he needs further help with anything.

Unfortunately we will have to wake him at about 6 to get him on his way but well probably take him to macdonalds where we will buy him a breakfast to set him up for the day ahead.

Thank you to all of those that have made donations and continue to support the work we do.

The Bus Shelter Ipswich Outreach Team 👥️

05/01/2026

Good evening followers 🥶

We will be out again tonight outside barclays from about 9pm tonight, hopefully a little earlier but after some more bus issues like the exhaust coming apart, which is now fixed it has delayed us slightly on todays plans.

Onwards and upwards as they say !!

The Bus Shelter Ipswich Outreach Team 👥️

05/01/2026

Good morning followers 🥶

Would you consider sponsoring The Bus Shelter Ipswich Outreach Team?

Our volunteers are out in all weathers, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community. To continue delivering this vital work safely and professionally, we’re hoping to raise support for essential team workwear.

We’re looking to purchase:
Winter-ready coats
All-weather fleece jackets
New team T-shirts

The total cost is approximately £700, which is a significant expense for our small outreach team.
Rather than fundraising in the traditional way, we’re reaching out in the hope of finding a local business sponsor who would be willing to cover the cost — either by donating or by paying the supplier directly.
In return for your sponsorship, we offer:
Promotion of you and/or your business to our followers
Advertising space on both sides of our bus for a full year
Public recognition as a supporter of frontline community outreach

Your support would help keep our volunteers warm, visible, and feeling part of a valued team — while also showing the community that you stand behind local action and compassion.

If you’d like to get involved or know someone who might, please get in touch.

Thank you for helping us keep going 💙

The Bus Shelter Ipswich Outreach Team 👥️

04/01/2026

We've had 10 donations in the last 30 days, thanks to our supporters using when they make online purchases!

Please make it your New Year's resolution to support us on easyfundraising. Over 8,000 retailers will donate to us for free - at no extra cost to you.

Plus, join before midnight 29th January and we could win a £500 donation:

Help us when you shop with 7,000+ brands. Join now.

03/01/2026

Good afternoon followers 🙂

Due to the extreme cold weather and the risk of snow and having no luck with any replies from the local council regarding the activation of SWEP, I've made a decision to activate our own SWEP and will be parked up outside barclays from about 8pm tonight.

We obviously only have limited space but we will have hot drinks, hot soup and a warm space out of the elements.

If you see anyone in need, please let them know when and where we will be.

Also, if you're out partying and need some assistance, or a strong coffee, come and see us 🙂

The Bus Shelter Ipswich Outreach Team

02/01/2026

Good afternoon followers ☺️

After 2 hrs of Gareth trying to find the fault with CHEY'S, he found it !!

It was a main fuse that had blown, hidden from site in what was the rear seats, the fuse links the alternator (charger) and the batteries. Not a off the shelf fuse from the likes of Halfords, so new one has been ordered and a temporary fix in place 😊

Gotta keep the wheels turning !

The Bus Shelter Outreach Team