News / Help Bristol's Homeless
People of Bristol rally to turn double decker bus into homeless shelter
There’s a buzz of activity at a puddle-ridden site along Malago Road on a cold January morning.
A collection of volunteers from all walks of life and different areas of Bristol have turned out in the elements to pitch in and help transform a disused double decker bus into overnight accommodation for 12 homeless people.
The community spirit has been mobilised by Jasper Thompson, who set out this time last year to address the city’s rough sleeping crisis with a simple idea to turn shipping containers into homes.
is needed now More than ever
Jasper Thompson
A number of success stories, several national headlines, and one donation of a bus later and Help Bristol’s Homeless is embarking on the latest scheme to help get people off the streets and into a safe place for the night.
“Today is the real start,” says Jasper. “We have got a plan for it and it’s not going to be done overnight, it will take a good few weeks.
“It’s all going to be done out of the kindness of the people of Bristol and the community.”
At work inside the bus
Peter Musgrove, director of Help Bristol’s Homeless, explains the vision for the bus, which is currently looking bright and cheerful outside, but decidedly basic inside.
“It will be an initial refuge where they can feel safe and then, hopefully, they can progress to having a container to get their lives back on track,” he tells Bristol24/7.
“The bus arrived on site a couple of years ago so it’s got to be insulated.”
The atmosphere is one of organised chaos as the assembled volunteers get to work.
Amidst it all, Jasper fields questions about spray foam on one side, while explaining that sponsorship options will be available on each of the beds for £500 per year. These will go towards the upkeep and laundry and sponsors will get their names above their bed.
He adds that a carpenter is particularly needed on the project, and anyone else willing to do a bit of manual labour or painting.
“I’m here to do whatever is needed to get people off the streets,” says Pip Fontaine, who has volunteered to pitch in alongside some friends.
Paul spent two and a half years sleeping rough in Bristol
Paul is another volunteer hard at work on the site. Up until this time last year, he had been living in a tent in Leigh Woods, but after two and a half years sleeping rough, is now a resident in one of the converted shipping containers on the site.
“I met Jasper in early January last year and I moved in on January 7,” he says.
“I have learned to adapt. I’m also learning how to cook and how to budget.
“Eventually, I want to go back into the mainstream work and then into the private sector, then I will save for a deposit, but deposits in this city are crazy. In the meantime, here is ideal. I have got all the help I need on tap and I’m working with trades people every day, building up my skills.”
A peek inside one of the converted containers
While Paul is talking, three more people turn up to volunteer their help.
Joanne Ashman and Vicki Buckley
Joanne Ashman and Vicki Buckley travelled over to Bedminster from Shirehampton and Redland respectively as they had the day spare and, having read about the bus project, wanted to see what they could do.
The plan is to work on the bus and conversion of more containers every day until it’s complete and then move them all to a permanent site in Spring Street.
Some of the converted containers
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