Newcastle City Library Service’s former mobile library will carry on its community work by helping local charity St Cuthbert’s Care support some of Newcastle’s most vulnerable people.
The charity will use the vehicle to replace the two buses they currently use to provide their 5p Bus service, which is a mobile clothes distribution service offering good quality second-hand clothes, bedding, children’s toys, books and toiletries, for just 5p per item.
After the mobile library was withdrawn from service earlier this year councillors decided to offer the vehicle to a good cause and invited applications from local charities to take over the running of the vehicle.
St Cuthbert’s Care was chosen for the essential work it carries out with its 5p Bus service. The Bus visits some of the most deprived areas of the city to help people who have little or no money and those suffering from addiction or mental health issues afford basic clothing and other essential items.
Currently the 5p Bus visits over 30 venues in Newcastle every month and works in partnership with organisations including Nunsmoor Children’s Centre, Byker Sands Family Centre and Crisis/Skylight.
The Bus also collects donations and visits schools, faith organisations and community groups to raise awareness of the charity.
Cllr Veronica Dunn, Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Services said: "I am delighted St Cuthbert’s Care has been chosen to be the new owner of our former mobile library and I am sure it will allow them to continue their valuable work in helping some of our city’s most vulnerable people.
“The 5p Bus is an important asset to the charity and provides practical advice in a sensitive and accessible way and I’m sure it will be appreciated by communities across the city.
”The mobile library was a well-loved asset to the city but unfortunately we had to withdraw the service, however the vehicle was in good working order so we wanted one of our city’s good causes to carry on its role in the community.”
Kathleen Urwin, Community Services Manager with St Cuthbert’s Care, said: “Our ageing buses are coming to the end of their useful lives and will soon become prohibitively expensive to repair, so the donation of this bus is vital to secure the future of a service which helps some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our society.
“Across Newcastle, more than 3000 people in desperate need have benefited from our charitable 5p Bus service in the last six months, relying on us for clothing and other essential items that they would have been unable to afford to buy any other way.
“We would like to thank Newcastle City Council’s Library Services for their generous donation, which will help us to continue providing a frequent, reliable service for those most in need.”
In April this year the city council decided to withdraw the mobile library following budget consultations.
The vehicle, a DAF LF45 7.5 tonne chassis with day cab, is 8.2m long and 2.4m wide.
Page last updated: 11 July, 2012
