Reading Buses have partnered with Launchpad to provide free bus travel for our clients, so they can get around the town for job interviews and other essential travel needs.
The cost of public transport can often be a barrier to exploring employment opportunities or even attending medical appointments for people who are homeless or at risk of losing their home. With support from Reading Buses, Launchpad clients can have the resources they need to overcome their housing challenges, and lead full and independent lives.
Robert Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Reading Buses, said: “We are donating free journeys to help these people get back on their feet. It is also about helping prevent homelessness and giving local people the independence they need without worrying about finding money for their bus fare.
“We are clearly aware of staff shortages in many sectors of our local economy and feel we can make a contribution towards easing the current serious problem. We have done something similar in the past in providing free travel to Ghurkhas as part of supporting Reading’s community and helping people to get around Reading.
“We’re also continuing to support those with Job Centre Plus cards with our Job seeker ID. We’re giving job seekers access to discounted all-day tickets and supporting them to get around while they are searching for employment.”
Kirsti Wilson, Launchpad’s Head of Marketing and Fundraising explains what this will mean to our clients: “We are incredibly grateful to Reading Buses for their kind donation of bus travel. When you’re trying to rebuild your life after experiencing homelessness, finances can be tight and sometimes there isn’t even enough for the essentials – which can be incredibly limiting when you’re trying to turn your life around.
“With the gift of bus travel from Reading Buses, our clients can access things like education, training and employment opportunities to increase their confidence, gain independence and finally break the cycle of homelessness. Bus travel might seem fairly simple to many people, but to our clients it will mean everything.”
Meet some of our clients and read about their experiences of homelessness.
