Deputy Mayors Diaries: Reading Buses Open Day

I do like Reading Buses, in fact they are my choice of commuter transport.  The 17 takes me nicely to and from work so we have been to Reading Buses Open Day before.  It's not until someone explains all the composite parts that you truly understand the work behind the scenes and that's what happened today.

James Freeman escorted the boys and me around the open day and was a delightful host.  It was clear walking around the site than James Freeman is hugely respected and will be sorely missed when he leaves Reading Buses later this year.

First off was a trip through the bus wash, something we hadn't done before.  I got to hear a wonderful tale of the first bus to do this trip.  They had no water softener so the bus got coated in limescale which took a week to remove!

We chatted to people running the various stalls.  Launchpad were there as they are Reading Buses' charity of the year.  I spoke to Eddie Winship of Blast1386 about Reading Buses special relationship with Reading and how important it is for local business to support local charities and groups within the town.

I got the chance to look around the  First Stop bus that can be found in Reading town centre Friday and Saturday night helping those in need of assistance.  They offer help, advice and first aid and have saved tens if not hundreds of ambulances being called and trips to an already busy A&E.  They will also be using the bus to reach groups that don't normally engage with health services.

We then had a look around one of the new buses and it was very impressive.  I rarely see anything other than the 17 so it was nice to have a look around the brand new single deck buses.  James left us to have a look around the various buses.  My boys wanted to visit one of every colour but I suggested we only look at a few, after all we know the inside of a 17 rather well!

We ended our visit with a look around the vintage buses including one that started work in 1938.  It was a great event and one I can recommend for 2015.

 I must also share that we got to meet some Stormtroopers from the UK Garrison.  We were taking a shortcut through the  headquarters so I could cut the ribbon and open the event and there they where, stood in a corridor at Reading buses.  My youngest recoiled and started shaking, clearly concerned there were Stormtroopers in Reading.  They are baddies after all!

Severe Weather Emergency Provision

We are facing more cold weather so this information could prove useful.

Launchpad: http://www.launchpadreading.org.uk/

St Mungo's: http://www.mungos.org/services/where_we_work/reading

'Reading Borough Council Press Release

As in previous years, homeless people who find themselves on the streets in Reading are to be offered emergency extra beds during severe cold weather this winter.

The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is a partnership arrangement between Reading Borough Council, Launchpad, Hamble Court, the Salvation Army, Waylen Street and St Mungo's that has existed for many years and is activated whenever the Met Office forecasts three nights or more with a minimum temperature of 0°C or below.

During this time, St Mungo's coordinate extra accommodation in the communal areas of Reading's homeless hostels for anyone who would otherwise be sleeping rough.

St Mungo's are commissioned by Reading Borough Council to provide a street outreach team to support rough sleepers and assist them in moving into appropriate accommodation. During the cold weather, St Mungo's use the opportunity to engage with homeless people who may have been previously reluctant to access accommodation and support services.

In addition, this year Launchpad will be coordinating a breakfast drop-in for the use of SWEP clients. This will provide further opportunity for the St Mungo's team to assess and engage with homeless people and encourage them to access support service available.

Last year, over the winter period, 46 people were offered SWEP accommodation and only 5 refused. 40% of those accommodated in SWEP were from outside of the Borough. When St Mungo's carried out analysis in May of this year, they found that 28 (57% of those offered) of the homeless that had engaged with SWEP had gone on to find settled accommodation.

Reading Borough Council's Lead Councillor for Neighbourhoods and Housing, Rachel Eden, said: "Reading can be proud of the work that the Council, St Mungo's and the rest of the voluntary sector do in partnership all year round to support rough sleepers and help them back into accommodation; but particularly, as the nights draw in, I'd urge anyone who knows of a rough sleeper to contact St Mungo's or the Council so that they can make contact. During any prolonged cold weather, emergency measures are put in place and this can help people access services that can make a long term difference.'

Anyone concerned about a rough sleeper at any time of the year in Reading should contact Street Concern on 0118 9585002 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or email streetconcern@mungos.org'