Community called on to keep backing Sleeper Bus as homelessness pressures grow

Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien MP with The Shack spokesperson Imogene Nguyen and volunteer, Sadie Kimbal.

As homelessness rises and more locals fall into hardship, the Sunshine Coast community is being urged to rally behind a campaign to provide a safe night’s sleep for people in need.

Federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien MP launched the campaign to get the Sunny Coast Sleeper Bus to Nambour a few weeks ago and has raised more than $6000.

Mr O’Brien said the early generosity catapulted the campaign past the halfway point towards its fundraising goal but said continued support would be key to expanding the service through the rest of the year. 

“Across the country living standards are going backwards and more people are slipping through the cracks,” Mr O’Brien said.

“That’s why services like the Sleeper Bus are so important. It provides immediate, practical support for people who need it most.”

Delivered by the Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre, the Sunny Coast Sleeper Bus is a converted coach that provides a safe and supervised overnight place to sleep for up to nine people each night who would otherwise be sleeping rough, with volunteers on board throughout the night.

Mr O’Brien reminded the community that they had two options to get involved and help the cause; donate money or donate their time.

“I have registered for my second volunteer session on the Sleeper Bus and have chipped in to support the first two weeks of the busses operation and I’m so grateful to the great number of locals who have done the same,” he said.

“But we need to dig a little deeper and go a little further if this campaign is to continue operating and helping people secure a safe night’s sleep and that means more donations and more volunteers.”

Mr O’Brien urged the community that if they are unable to donate money, then volunteering their time is equally valuable. 

“This is a true community effort and volunteers play a vital role in making sure the Sleeper Bus can continue helping people in need,” Mr O’Brien said.

“A donation of just $15 can help keep someone off the street for a night, but we also need people power.”

Mark Ellis, CEO of Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre, said the Sleeper Bus was already making a real impact.

“Getting a good night’s sleep can do so much for someone who has been living on the streets,” Mr Ellis said.

Donations can be made at:www.givenow.com.au/cr/sleeperbustonambour. Register to volunteer here: https://www.maroochync.org.au/volunteer.

‘Best sleep in six weeks’: Inside the growing need behind the Sleeper Bus

For frontline workers in Nambour, the Sunny Coast Sleeper Bus is more than a service. It is a small but critical lifeline in a community under mounting pressure.

Volunteers at The Shack Community Centre say they are seeing a steady rise in people seeking help, not just those sleeping rough but locals who have never needed support before.

“We are seeing constant growth in the need,” said The Shack spokesperson Imogene Nguyen. “Not just from the homeless community, but also regular mums and dads … people who are just doing it tough and need help with food or a shower because bills are expensive.”

She said the Sleeper Bus filled an immediate gap, offering safety and rest for those with nowhere else to go — but warned it was only part of the solution.

“It helps people feel safe for at least one night, but we really need more nights,” she said.

For volunteer Sadie Kimbal, the impact is best understood through the people she speaks to every day.

She recently helped a man who had been homeless for just six weeks – a situation she said was becoming increasingly common.

“He said it was the best night’s sleep he’s had in those six weeks,” she said. “For the first time, he was able to really rest.”

Ms Kimbal said the importance of that could not be overstated.

“I don’t think we all appreciate what that can do for someone’s mental health and safety. Sleep is so vital.”

At present, many of those without housing rely on tents, tarps and sleeping bags — often in public spaces — where safety can be uncertain.

“We provide what we can,” Ms Kimbal said. “But it isn’t particularly safe when they’re sleeping in tents.”

She said asking for help was often one of the hardest steps. “It’s a real challenge for people to put their hand up and say, ‘I need help’.”

Both women said the Sleeper Bus, which accommodates up to nine people per night, offered dignity as well as safety, but demand was already outstripping supply.

“That’s nine people not on the street for one night,” Ms Nguyen said. “If we can support more nights, we can help more people right now.”

With permanent housing options limited and waiting lists long, they say community support, through donations and volunteers, remains essential.

“We’ve just got to keep showing up for our community,” Ms Nguyen said.

Donations can be made at:www.givenow.com.au/cr/sleeperbustonambour.