A FORMER Littles school bus is still in operation in Ballarat, but for the last two and a half years it\u2019s served another purpose for different guests.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s fully facilitated by volunteers and runs on donations.<\/p>\n
Inside are two generous sized shower rooms, cleaned between each use. Volunteer coordinator, Neila Tuppen said their spaciousness is important.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re not squashed in there. Cubicles are not very dignified, so that was one of the main things, to make sure the showers were spacious,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was all built by volunteers… Businesses gave materials… Everything was donated.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Tuppen emphasised that the facility is not just for those on the streets. Anyone is always welcome, with no judgement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen 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,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had people relocating who have run out of money for petrol, so they\u2019ll have a shower, sleep in their car, wait for their funds to come through and continue on with their journey.\u201d<\/p>\n
But there\u2019s more than a shower available to OHSB\u2019s guests, should they like the help.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they want clean underwear, clean clothing or a toilet pack, they select what they want. It\u2019s purely up to them. Often people stay for an hour for a coffee and a chat,\u201d Ms Tuppen said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got books, backpacks with toiletries, water, a muesli bar, scarves and hats… Sleeping bags… Pretty much whatever they need to get them through.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey take that with them and if they come back next week and they\u2019ve run out of something or need a new toothbrush, we just fill up what they need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Tuppen is looking for more volunteers to join her team\u2019s \u201crewarding\u201d project.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes you appreciate the value of what you have. We\u2019re all aware that it could happen to anyone at any time,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe get so much from the guests. They have some amazing life stories to tell. It\u2019s very humbling to offer them something, and many of them have offered the community many things in their previous lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something that\u2019s well worth doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The OHSB team is looking for a more suitable location in conjunction with likeminded services, but for the moment it\u2019s based at White Flat Oval for easy access to grey and fresh, hot water.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A FORMER Littles school bus is still in operation in Ballarat, but for the last two and a half years it\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n