close search

Buses 4 Homeless

Buses4Homless CIC By Buses4Homless CIC

Buses4homeless - converting double decker buses into eating, sleeping, learning & well-being spaces for the homeless. We’ll offer a 3 month all inclusive live on board development programme

Thornton Heath Delivery stage

£95,181
pledged of £157,484

Sorry this project was unsuccessful, we did not reach our fundraising goal.

We are still finalising where the buses will be located. We currently work from a base in Croydon, but have identified potential sites elsewhere. Buses4Homeless is a low cost holistic solution to homelessness. With the help of our homeless guests & the local community, we can help create a unique space by converting buses into innovative eating, sleeping, learning & social spaces. WE OFFER A 3 MONTH LIVE ON BOARD INTENSIVE PROGRAMME TO: 1) Help overcome issues that lead to homelessness 2) Assist with mental & physical well-being 3) Teach soft, vocational skills + general life management skills 4) Assist guests into apprenticeships/training/jobs/own startups 5) Re-engage guests back into the community Our unique venue provides opportunities for positive community interaction with our guests. BUS 4 SLEEPING = 16 x 6ft pods + downstairs TV room BUS 4 EATING = 32 seater restaurant + commercial kitchen BUS 4 LEARNING = 10 desk spaces + separate group session area

What we'll deliver:

  • Refurbish 4 x Double Decker Buses into Shelter, Dining & Learning Spaces for Homeless
  • Provide 3 Month Intensive Programmes to engage and empower Homeless back into the community
  • Provide a communal area where the whole community interact and engage with each other for the greater good of humanity.

Why it's a great idea:

Two years ago, Dan Atkins (founder) discovered a gentleman sleeping rough in a luggage compartment of a coach. This distressed Dan immensely. Later that day, he bought a double-decker bus and began refurbishing it into a home for the gentleman. Fast-forward two years, they are now very good friends and gladly the gentleman is back in employment, has a roof over his head and is happy. That got Dan thinking… this could be achieved on a much bigger scale. Homelessness has been an ongoing concern in the UK. London is worst affected. With a lack of social housing, there is a constant struggle to accommodate the homeless. We will work intensively with our guests and equip them with the tools they need to succeed at being self supporting. We want to increase earning opportunities as that would provide them with more permanent housing solutions. By giving back and working together as a community we can create happier neighbourhoods for all.

Steps to get it done:

  • Clear the current site, and prepare it for redevelopment
  • Set up the new configuration of buses and containers
  • Set up the new flooring for the common areas
  • Set up the external furniture and equipment
  • Complete the buses conversions

Buses 4 Homeless have teamed up Black Architecture to build expertise and increase credibility around the crowdfunding application. They are a feisty architectural practice specialising in designing buildings with sustainability at their core. They believe authentic sustainability isn't just about energy, it encompasses everything; social, economic and environmental. Black Architecture bring a creative curiosity to every building and are especially interested in the positive impact design can have on the mental well-being of our homeless guests. The overall creative design incorporates safety, wellness, eco-friendly and sustainability factors. Buses4homeless innovative solutions challenge expectations & imagination. We create interactional community spaces that break down barriers and people fall in love with. We're all about collaborations and encourage local government, businesses, charities, colleges and volunteers to join us to help create BIG change.

Location Thornton Heath

About the space

Custom Location

Council

London Borough of Croydon

How will the money be spent?Target (inc. fees)  £157,483

Bus 4 Eating - conversion - £20,000
Bus 4 Sleeping - £20,000
Bus 4 Learning - £20,000
4 x Double decker buses - £20,000
Health & Wellness Bus Conversion - £15,000
Health&Wellness bus - £12,000
Various contingencies/risk - 20% circa of the budget - £10,000
Electric - £4,950
Site Plan design fee and cost estimation - £4,950
4+1 Anti Vandal Toilet Block+ delivery - £4,620
Other - £19,772

Costs Breakdown

This shows how money raised for the project will be spent. These costs have been confirmed by the project's Delivery Manager and verified.

Bus 4 Eating - conversion
£20,000
Bus 4 Sleeping
£20,000
Bus 4 Learning
£20,000
4 x Double decker buses
£20,000
Health & Wellness Bus Conversion
£15,000
Health&Wellness bus
£12,000
Various contingencies/risk - 20% circa of the budget
£10,000
Electric
£4,950
Site Plan design fee and cost estimation
£4,950
4+1 Anti Vandal Toilet Block+ delivery
£4,620
Other Read More
£19,772
  • Water
    £4,500
  • Portable shower container
    £3,900
  • Drainage
    £3,000
  • Gas
    £3,000
  • 8 no.storage units
    £2,632
  • Data
    £1,000
  • 12 Courtyard string lights
    £840
  • 15m CowBell Chargers for Buses
    £500
  • Bedding + Curtain Material for our Sleeping Bus
    £400

Overfunding

This project is enabled for overfunding. If the project hits its funding goal before the end of the campaign period, any extra funds raised will be spent (in order of priority) on:

  • 1) £5000 budget for 100 square metres canopy located in the central space;
  • 2) £3000 for 50 square metres canopy located in the workshop space;
  • 3)£2000 advertisement banners;
  • 4) £959 for no. 4 external dining tables for 6 people each;
  • 5) £1142 for no. 8 hard wearing workshop tables for the working/learning area in the back yard;
  • 6)£5079 Photovoltaic roof kit for sleeping bus;
  • 7) £5000 for 100 square metres of deck flooring due to be installed in the central space. This is an estimated budget based on average installation costs in the market of £50 per square metre;
  • 8)£5079 Photovoltaic roof kit for learning bus;
  • 9) £1320 for no. 1 set of external sofas, armchair and tables;
  • 10)£1000 for vegetable garden;
  • 11)£5079 Photovoltaic roof kit for kitchen bus;
  • 12)£ 3900 second shower container;
  • 13) £1564 for no.6 planters and trees to separate the relax area with the dining area of the central space;
  • 14)£140 fire pit;
  • 15) £4956 4 no. secure bike shed for 20 bikes;
  • 16) £906 4 no. bins;

Target (inc. fees)  £157,483

Our Volunteer List

We're currently looking for people to offer skills and time to develop our project! Check out the list of what we need below and then use the 'Volunteer' button to the right to get involved.

Want to help?

Do you have stuff or skills to contribute to this project? Use this tool to offer something to the project creator.

Volunteer
{{comment.UserName}} Creator Backer
{{comment.Comment}}
{{comment.Comment}}
{{reply.UserName}} Creator Backer
{{reply.Comment}}
{{reply.Comment}}