The SPACE bus…

On the buses…

Last year, ASDA teamed up with Business in the Community to help refurbish an old double-decker bus. But, we’re not talking the Blue line to Bolton here – this is a community bus for young people, a place for them to spend time with their friends in a safe environment.

The project was launched in Burnley, East Lancashire, an area which had been flagged for development. In 2007 the mill-town was ranked the 21st most deprived of local authority districts. With the town’s educational targets below the national average and Burnley in the top 25% of areas in the UK worst affected by crime, it seemed like a good place to launch such a project.

The idea for the bus came from a survey of almost 1000 kids in the Burnley area, carried out by Participation Works and funded through Burnley Council’s Elevate funding. Young people surveyed said they wanted to have a place to chat with friends in a safe environment – somewhere they could feel ownership for and take part in.

The bus journeys out six nights a week from Tuesday to Sunday, between 4.30pm and 9.30pm (10.30pm Friday and Saturday). The bus travels to ‘hotspots’ that have been identified with the help of partner agencies, including the police.

Guy Mason, Public Affairs Manager for ASDA was heavily involved in the project,

“The main aim of the project was to reduce criminal damage, anti-social behaviour and nuisance associated with young people, by directly engaging with hard to reach individuals in their own environment.”

“The project also aimed to reduce the harm caused by drug and alcohol misuse with its focus not only on the individual but also the subsequent impact of their behaviour on their local community.”

What’s on board?

The SPACE bus was given its name by the young people as a social Place for activities, chilling out and enjoyment. The bus contains a range of equipment and activities, including computers with internet access, Xbox and PS3, large TV and DVD player, music system and a chill out area. The kids can also benefit from a private ‘one to one’ room where they can seek confidential advice or have informal chats with youth workers; and an information zone, including advice on alcohol, drugs and sexual health.

The road to success…

The number of young people climbing aboard averages 45–50 each night with up to 100 at weekends. As a result of this, incidences of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour have been significantly reduced, with 413 fewer damage offences being recorded and 885 less incidents of anti–social behaviour. This has resulted in far fewer people being victimised and nearly 1000 fewer deployments for police officers. One particular area in Burnley saw a 39% decrease in criminal damage over a ten week period.

One of the buses most famous passengers has to be His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, who was so impressed by SPACE, that following his visit, he wrote to the project team and committed the support of his charities. The Home Office has also hailed the project as a huge success.

ASDA is now considering rolling out the project to further locations across the UK. This is one bus that nobody wants to miss.