Chris Higgins, Workshop Foreman at Arnold Clark Coachbuilders (right) next to the bus
Chris Higgins, Workshop Foreman at Arnold Clark Coachbuilders (right) next to the bus
Arnold Clark Coachbuilders is delighted to have transformed a bus that will be used to support the mental health and wellbeing of community-based staff in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
The first-of-its-kind mobile facility will act as a rest and relaxation hub for workers who are based in different areas of the community.
As well as being a place where workers can enjoy a break and free tea and coffee, staff can also find out more about the mental health and wellbeing services which are provided by the NHS in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
Arnold Clark's expert coachbuilding facility in East Kilbride were tasked with converting the bus and were able to carry out a range of bespoke work and body-building requirements to complete the transformation. Production Manager Steve Maitland, project managed the task from initial enquiry ,through design, equipment specification and fit out.
Chris Higgins, Workshop Foreman at Arnold Clark Coachbuilders, said: 'The NHS came to us with the idea that they wanted to put a bus on the road for the staff that don't have mental health and wellbeing facilities in the area that they work in.
'It was just a standard bus when we got it, so we had to strip it down to the bare shell and then take out all the seats and windows.
‘We came up with some different designs and let the NHS pick what they were looking for.
'The bus will allow them to take the bus to staff who are looking to use the amenities that are available on-board and take a break.
'All the work was completed in-house and it took us about six months. It went through various processes, from painting, electrical work and, of course, the conversion.
'A lot of different departments were involved, and it's so rewarding to see how it has turned it.'
The vehicle was donated by Stagecoach Group and Arnold Clark Coachbuilders, with the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Healthcare Charity providing the funding for the full fit-out of the bus, which will provide a range of facilities for our community-based staff.
Once on the road, our new bus will be supported by volunteers from Health Improvement, Human Resources and other support services that currently deliver wellbeing help to our staff.
Anne Macpherson, Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, believes the converted mobile bus will be hugely welcomed by staff.
She said: 'As part of our approach to staff mental health and wellbeing, we've installed rest and relaxation hubs at our main sites.
'We then got feedback from community-based workers who were looking for similar types of services, so we thought it would be great if we could provide a mobile wellbeing service that would serve all staff.
'Through our Transport department, we found out about our partnership with Arnold Clark and it's been a great collaboration. The end product is fantastic!
'We use buses as mobiles sites for things like blood donations, but we believe this mobile mental health and wellbeing bus is the first of its kind for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
'Particularly as we head into the winter, it will give our staff, especially those who are community-based, a place where they can meet other staff and get support if they need it.'
Lisa King, a Practice Development Nurse for care homes in Renfrew, added: 'The bus will be very beneficial to staff.
'It will be great way of keeping staff informed about some of the services which are provided.’
