The Forest Bus

The Forest Bus provides a variety of opportunities to young people, children and their families living in the New Forest and rurally isolated areas in Hampshire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We use specially converted vehicles to deliver mobile youth work, after school sessions, family groups, and special multicultural events.  The team of staff and volunteers provide a variety of skills and bring a diverse range of opportunities to people who live in areas which are disadvantaged by rural and urban deprivation. Forest Bus provide music technology workshops where young people can get the chance to learn a musical instrument and music studio recording skills.  Funding received in the last year has enabled a comprehensive range of training for staff and volunteers to access  -  this includes solution based brief therapy, play therapy, specialised parenting training and a new type of circle time intervention called SAPS.

The team are now even more skilled to deal with a range of work with people of all ages.  In addition the organisation offers placements to social work students from local universities and will this year be developing a learning group for students which is a new initiative in the training of social workers in Hampshire.

 

 

 

We have just organised the first New Forest Mela which saw over 3,300 people attend this amazing event.  The day saw a host of different activities from Bollywood dancing, Capoera to circus skills and Bangra fusion dj workshops.  The event also provided a unique opportunity for the Forest Bus to work in partnership with other local agencies.  A number of stalls were organised by members of the Gypsy community, the main ethnic minority group in Hampshire.

Our every day work sees us working in local areas, both on our vehicles as well as in community centres and schools.  The aim is work alongside groups of people so that they are empowered and supported to set up their own activities  -  such as after school groups and youth sessions.