A BRAND new mobile youth bus has been launched in Yate to help support young people in the area.

The Urban Vehicle for Information and Education (URBIE) is a long-running mobile project that provides a safe space for youngsters to learn skills in a neutral environment. 

It is essential to the delivery of a detached South Gloucestershire Council youth project that currently runs two evenings a week around Yate.

The former URBIE bus was retired from its duties earlier in the year following a successful nine years in action.

Its replacement vehicle – a specially modified Peugeot Boxer van – was officially launched at a Yate Town Council event at Poole Court on Thursday, July 20.

Cllr John Ford, the newly appointed mayor of Yate Town Council (YTC), welcomed funders of the new URBIE, councillors and local community groups to celebrate the arrival of the new bus.

He said: “This vehicle is special because it gives youngsters not interested in going to a youth club a place to go.

“It educates young people and encourages them to think about issues in a different way.

He added: “In Yate, we have very little trouble caused by our young people and that is down to the great work of the youth workers."

Dawn Young, a youth worker involved with the URBIE project, told the Gazette that she is currently using the bus to work with many Year 11 pupils who want careers guidance.

She said that the bus works “particularly well” for youngsters who would not choose to step foot in a typical Youth Centre.

“When we go into parks it’s sometimes tricky to engage the kids because it’s their territory,” she said.

“However, we mostly have a very positive response in Yate – it’s a big area but we’ve got it just right here with the URBIE plus the youth centres in the North and South and the Armadillo Centre.

“The bus gives us a chance to talk to the youngsters in a neutral environment about any issues they might be facing.

“We cover topics like body image, cyber bullying and dealing with conflicts in friendships.”

The URBIE is primarily funded by Yate Town Council, but has been supported by other funders from the community.

These include: Avon and Somerset Police Commissioners Community Fund, Merlin Housing, Groundworks UK – Carriers for Causes, Yate and District Rotary Club, Renishaws and Sodbury and Yate Business Association.