New Contract Awarded for Night Time Town Centre Support

June 11, 2017 by Southend Borough Council

A service that provides support to vulnerable people on town centre nights out due to excessive alcohol or drug use will be run by national charity Sova from 13th June 2017.

The new contract has been awarded following a full tender process necessary because the current contract with Southend YMCA is coming to an end.

Sova is a charity that works in the heart of communities in England and Wales to help people make better choices and build better and healthier lives.

They will provide a mobile unit in the town and this will be flexible to change and support people where there is the biggest need. There will also be proactive and visible ‘roaming support’ in the town helping anyone that needs assistance. They will link to the town-link radio so that the council’s CCTV team, clubs and bars can communicate with the service if someone needs assistance.

Cllr Lesley Salter, Executive Councillor for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “I am very pleased that the council is able to continue funding this important service despite the tough economic climate.

“Southend YMCA has done a wonderful job over a number of years, particularly with their SOS Bus, but a tender process was required as their contract is coming to an end.

“As part of the tender process, we worked with various stakeholders including the Police and Ambulance services and licencing teams to shape a service that will deliver the most effective support in the town, including new initiatives and ways of working.

“This is a key service that provides first aid and care for those who are drunk or under the influence of drugs and aims to reduce the burden on Emergency Services and A&E.

“The new service will reflect emerging knowledge, trends and needs in the night time economy, include an alteration to the hours of operation (from 8pm – 4am to 9.30pm – 5.30am every Friday and Saturday night) and provide cover on an additional 16 nights to cover bank holidays and other busy times in Southend. The new contract will also enhance data collection from the service to inform further preventative work across the town.”

Sova will also work with existing services in the night time economy to support a safe and vibrant night time experience in the town. The new service will also pilot work with a small number of people who access the service multiple times to provide additional support to prevent them from becoming vulnerable on nights out in the future.

Sova are currently recruiting additional volunteers to support the delivery of this service, if you are interested in volunteering please contact the Sova Volunteer Hub on 0207 833 6740/07920 184115 or tyrone.irving@sova.org.uk.