The Youth Commission and Skipton International are jointly launching ‘The Bus Stop’, which will act as a mobile youth club.
From Liberation Day, the re-vamped vehicle will travel around Guernsey to provide support, entertainment, and informal education to young people, particularly those who are hard to reach.
The Youth Commission is developing a full program for the bus, which it’s hoped will help young people engage with services, especially those who may not typically seek support.
“The Bus Stop will enable us to engage with young people who may not typically seek support,” said Youth Support Worker Emmie Bougourd.
“It also allows us to signpost them to other vital services they may benefit from, such as our Young Carers, Complex Health Needs or Listening Support.”
The project is another example of co-operation across Guernsey, said Skipton’s Chief Commercial Officer, Charlotte Dunsterville.
“The vital work of the Youth Commission supports those young people in our society to help them feel empowered and inspired. Enabling the Youth Commission to access those who are harder to reach, in areas previously unvisited, is an exciting development in the services that they offer; and this outreach aligns well with Skipton’s goals.
“We are proud to partner with The Youth Commission for The Bus Stop and look forward to seeing what they can achieve going forward.”
Project Lead for the Youth Commission, Mish Turberville, highlighted the impact of companies across Guernsey supporting the initiative.
“A huge thank you to both Skipton and DLM, and also Little Green Energy Co, DVL, The Potting Shed, Aztec group, Resolution IT, GFF, JT Community Giving, Dowding Signs, Network Insurance and Island Coachways, who have all ‘come on board’ to support this initiative so far.
“It’s an absolute honour to be working on such a fantastic project for young people in Guernsey, creating new opportunities for them to connect, engage with our workers and have fun. It has been amazing to see the contributions made from the young people come to life. The Bus Stop will add a new exciting initiative alongside our existing youth clubs.”
Skipton International funded the purchase and initial renovation, whilst DLM Architects played a crucial role in designing the bus, and bringing those plans forward.
DLM Architects Managing Director, David De La Mare, said: “We are passionate about creating designs that serve the community and make a positive impact. Collaborating with The Youth Commission Guernsey to design a bespoke bus as part of our CSR initiative for 2025 has been an incredibly exciting project for us.
“This bus will serve as a vital resource for young people across the island, providing them with support, opportunities, and a safe, welcoming space. We’re proud to contribute to a project that reflects our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and community well-being as well as inspiring the next generation to engage with the creative sector.”
The Bus Stop will officially launch on Liberation Day.