Our Work
The 5p Bus is St Cuthberts Care's mobile clothes distribution project, reaching out to people who are living in socially deprived areas across the region. It is part of our continued commitment to community development work.
Background
North East England has some of the highest numbers of people out of work through disability or long term illness and the greatest fuel poverty of any region in the UK.St Cuthberts Care recognised the need for direct aid for the poorest families in the area and in 2008 we launched a unique community initiative to provide basic clothing essentials to those in dire need of support.
We purchased a single-decker bus and converted the interior to accommodate clothes hangers, storage and rummage boxes. Following appeals to the public and local businesses the bus was stocked with donated clothing, toys and books and some new items such as toiletries.
In January this year, local news headlines revealed “73,000 North East children living in poverty” (The Journal, 26 January 2010), which shows that, almost two years after its launch, the 5p Bus is still providing a vital service which needs to be not only maintained but developed even further.
How the service works
The 5p Bus offers donated clothes and other goods to people in need - the homeless, those seeking refuge, the unemployed or in temporary accommodation. The project focuses on assisting people who are suffering the greatest hardship and have little or no other form of support.
Unfortunately, for VAT accounting purposes, the charity is unable to give away the goods for free but makes only a small charge (five pence) for items taken.
The bus currently operates five days a week, visiting 66 venues - both inner city and more remote areas. Its timetable is publicised in advance and takes in drop-in centres, charities, refugee services, community projects and schools across Tyne and Wear and, more recently, areas of south east Northumberland. It serves an average of 1,780 people per month.
In addition, the bus acts as a mobile information point promoting access to other services. The project costs around £40,000 a year to run and is funded by charitable giving. It endeavours to make a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged individuals by providing clean clothing and practical support.
The service also offers opportunities for volunteers to help out by collecting and sorting the donations as well as serving on the bus. Friends Christine and Anne became regular helpers on the bus after reading about it in their church bulletin. Christine, who had previously worked in charity shops, said
"We really enjoy working on the bus. It's really busy and you meet some lovely people.
My favourite venue is Benwell. The people are great - salt of the earth."You can find out more about becoming a volunteer on our Support Us page.
St Cuthberts Care also operates a 5p Shop, also staffed by volunteers, at the charity’s leased retail premises in Sunderland city centre for a few hours once a week.
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