NHS to fund another year of night-time support in Weston-super-Mare

The MAVISbus will help people enjoying Weston-super-Mare’s night-time economy for another year thanks to £39,888 in NHS funding from the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB).

MAVIS (which stands for Multi-Agency Vehicle In Service) is used in Weston’s evening night-time economy as a safe space, help point and multi-agency hub. It reduces the strain on other emergency services and helps people to have an enjoyable and safe night out.

In 2022 MAVISbus helped over 250 people, preventing 104 of those people from calling an ambulance or visiting a hospital’s emergency department.

The converted single decker bus is usually parked on Big Lamp Corner, where the High Street meets Regent Street, every Saturday night between 9pm and 3am, and on some Fridays or when there is a major event taking place in the town.

Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council's executive member responsible for safer communities, said: "We work in a multi-agency partnership – with the police, ambulance crews, street pastors and other agencies – with a shared goal of helping everyone who comes into the town centre to have a fun, social and safe experience.

“Mavis helps us to provide a safe space where people can go if they need help – from a friendly chat, wait for friends if you’re lost, seek assistance from the police or ambulance, or to even just charge your phone. It provides such a valuable non-judgemental service, promoting the safety and wellbeing of visitors and local residents alike. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the ICB for recognising that by funding it for another year.”

ICB Director of Strategy, Partnerships and Population, Colin Bradbury, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the MAVISbus service for another year. MAVISbus plays a valuable role in supporting the safety and wellbeing of local people and visitors, and by doing so also helps reduce A&E attendances and relieves pressure on local NHS services.

“We’re grateful to all of the agencies and partners involved in delivering MAVISbus for Weston-super-Mare.”

More information about MAVISbus can be found at https://saferstrongerns.co.uk/our-services/mavisbus.

For updates on the work of North Somerset Council’s Safer Stronger Team, follow @SaferStrongerNS on Twitter and Safer Stronger North Somerset on Facebook.