sleepbus ready to roll in Redcliffe

People who are homeless or sleeping rough will soon have a safe place to rest their head at night with the arrival of the Redcliffe sleepbus. 

The city’s first sleepbus will arrive in time for a community open day on  September 21, with the first overnight service to be held on September 27.

Michelle Gilchrist from The Breakfast Club - who was instrumental in securing funding for the sleepbus - says it will help combat the region’s current homeless crisis.

“This sleepbus will provide a safe place where people can come for the night, so they don’t have to sleep in their car or their tent,” Michelle says.

“The sleepbus will allow people to get a good night’s sleep away from the elements and without the fear of being disturbed by strangers.

“We can’t wait to show off the bus to the community and our clients during the open day. More information about the day will be available on The Breakfast Club's Facebook page closer to the date." 

Costing more than $100,000 to construct, the sleepbus features up to 18 individual sleep pods with a lockable door, memory foam mattresses, clean bedding, ducted heating and cooling, its own toilet, and charging ports.

There are also interchangeable doors allowing parents to sleep with their children, and pets are welcome too.

Sleepers will be kept safe with CCTV surveillance and can store their belongings under the bus.

There are no criteria to meet, and bookings are not needed – it’s on a first come first served basis.

As a volunteer-run organisation, sleepbus relies on the generosity of people who can donate a few hours or days a week.

“These volunteers will be organised through sleepbus, so if anyone would like to put their hands up to help, you will need to go through them,” Michelle says.

“They will have a number of teams – one for loading the people up at night, one for helping them in the morning, another team who will come in and do the housekeeping, as well as the overnight caretakers and the drivers."

The sleepbus be placed in a central location on the peninsula for now, but will relocate to the new homelessness hub on Oxley Ave when it opens next year.

Funds for the sleepbus was made possible by money from The Breakfast Club, along with donations and funds from The Jelley Family Foundation, Commbank, Kedron Wavel, City of Moreton Bay Council, and general members of the public.

Become a volunteer

If you are interested in becoming a sleepbus volunteer, visit the sleepbus website to register your details.

Volunteer opportunities include being a caretaker, service volunteer, housekeeping, or a driver.