Chelmsford SOS Bus

13/03/2026

🚨 Drug Alert: Harmful substances found in seized v**es 🚨

Recent testing of v**es taken from a Wiltshire school found THC, Spice, and synthetic cannabinoids; substances that can cause dizziness, vomiting, anxiety, breathing issues, and even medical emergencies.

Harm‑reduction advice:
✔️ Stick to legal, labelled ni****ne v**es from reputable retailers
✔️ Avoid v**es of unknown origin — contents may not match the packaging
✔️ Don’t share devices
✔️ Know that synthetic drugs like Spice can’t always be detected by smell, taste, or appearance

If you need one-to-one support for THC v**e use or any other drugs or alcohol, please get in touch! 📲

13/03/2026

We, at Open Road, were delighted to attend the High Sheriff of Essex's Awards recently. We received £10,435 which is going towards both SOS Buses' volunteers, including uniforms, first aid and self-defence training.
‘The support we have received through the High Sheriff of Essex Awards is incredibly meaningful to us. This funding enables us to strengthen our SOS Bus provision by equipping our volunteers with vital first aid and self-defence training, alongside providing appropriate uniforms and essential equipment to keep both volunteers and those we support safe. Across Essex, our SOS Bus is often a first point of contact for vulnerable individuals in the night-time economy, and this investment will enhance our ability to respond effectively, professionally, and compassionately. It ensures our volunteers feel confident and supported in their roles, ultimately allowing us to reach more people, reduce harm and continue building safer communities.’ – Nicky Best, Welfare and Volunteer Senior.
We are very grateful to for the award.

13/03/2026

There are still a few tickets available for our event with John Robins at tonight with support from . It will be an unforgettable evening as John talks about his new book, 'Thirst' and his journey to recovery from alcohol addiction. It's been a real coup to get John to Colchester in advance of his nationwide book tour in May. You can hear John talk about the show this afternoon on . Snap those tickets up via this link: https://colchesterartscentre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173664751/events/428715368?_gl=1*1r6sisw*_ga*MTkxOTUwMDE1NC4xNzU3OTIwOTkw*_ga_Y4V7HBYV3K*czE3NzMzOTg5OTQkbzE0JGcxJHQxNzczMzk5MDUyJGoyJGwwJGgw

02/10/2025

The Home Office were invited to Chelmsford this week to look at a number of crime reduction initiatives which included the CCTV and our SOS Community Bus. They were very interested in how we save hospital admissions, ambulance call outs and wasting Police time. In addition we discussed the use of the buses regarding health prevention issues such as health checks (BP, Cancer Screening, Diabetes) which was very well received by the Home Office Team.

15/09/2025

04/07/2025

04/06/2025

WE ARE HIRING!

We have two new exciting vacancies for Deputy Managers in our Chelmsford and Harlow Centres. You can view the full advert, job pack and apply via our website - https://www.openroad.org.uk/vacancies/deputy-manager/

Please email hr@openroad.org.uk with any queries.

04/06/2025

04/06/2025

It's Volunteers' Week. Why not volunteer with Open Road? We have all sorts of opportunities for volunteers from the SOS Bus to helping at events, festivals & at our centres all over Essex & in Medway. If you're interested email stacey.banner@openroad.org.uk or phone 01206 369782. Visit volunteersweek.org for more info.

04/06/2025

Open Road will be at Volfest in Chelmsford next Thursday (5 June). Please support this event and come and see us on our stall.