Socialisation and supplies at shower bus

A FORMER Littles school bus is still in operation in Ballarat, but for the last two and a half years it’s served another purpose for different guests.

As the One Humanity Shower Bus, it opens its doors on Friday and Sunday evenings at White Flat Oval, to anyone needing a freshen up. From 6pm to 8pm it’s fully facilitated by volunteers and runs on donations.

Inside are two generous sized shower rooms, cleaned between each use. Volunteer coordinator, Neila Tuppen said their spaciousness is important.

“They’re not squashed in there. Cubicles are not very dignified, so that was one of the main things, to make sure the showers were spacious,” she said.

“This was all built by volunteers… Businesses gave materials… Everything was donated.”

Ms Tuppen emphasised that the facility is not just for those on the streets. Anyone is always welcome, with no judgement.

“When our founders got together, they saw a huge need for some hygiene services, to offer dignity and choices to the homeless and needy in Ballarat,” she said.

“You can have somewhere to sleep, but you may not have gas or electricity, so you may not have hot water available to have a shower. Those people are most welcome.

“We’ve had people relocating who have run out of money for petrol, so they’ll have a shower, sleep in their car, wait for their funds to come through and continue on with their journey.”

But there’s more than a shower available to OHSB’s guests, should they like the help.

“If they want clean underwear, clean clothing or a toilet pack, they select what they want. It’s purely up to them. Often people stay for an hour for a coffee and a chat,” Ms Tuppen said.

“We’ve got books, backpacks with toiletries, water, a muesli bar, scarves and hats… Sleeping bags… Pretty much whatever they need to get them through.

“They take that with them and if they come back next week and they’ve run out of something or need a new toothbrush, we just fill up what they need.”

Ms Tuppen is looking for more volunteers to join her team’s “rewarding” project.

“It makes you appreciate the value of what you have. We’re all aware that it could happen to anyone at any time,” she said.

“We get so much from the guests. They have some amazing life stories to tell. It’s very humbling to offer them something, and many of them have offered the community many things in their previous lives.

“It’s something that’s well worth doing.”

The OHSB team is looking for a more suitable location in conjunction with likeminded services, but for the moment it’s based at White Flat Oval for easy access to grey and fresh, hot water.