Reading Buses are playing their part in plans to help local people into essential work to ease the mounting problem of staff shortage issues.
They are providing free bus travel for homeless people or those at risk of losing their home so that they can get around the town for job interviews and other essential travel needs in testing times.
Reading Buses are integrating with Launchpad – Reading’s leading homelessness prevention charity – in the interests of supporting local people to get a job and therefore help to keep the shelves stocked as well as easing the pressure on other essential services.
Robert Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Reading Buses, said today: “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 for the Forgotten British Gurkha charity 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.”
Said Launchpad’s Head of Marketing and Fundraising Kirsti Wilson: “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 a huge barrier when you’re trying to get back on your feet.
“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.”