The Medway Community Safety Partnership will be launching the new SOS bus for Medway next week.

The completed bus will be available to view by the public within the Rochester Castle Gardens from 3-5pm on Tuesday.

There will also be a meeting for invitees at the Rochester Corn Exchange at 3pm where guest speakers will include Area Commander for Kent Police in Medway, Chief Superintendent Steve Corbishley.

Kent Police, NHS Medway and Medway Council are all involved in making the project a success and have all committed funding resources.

Inspector Gary Woodward from Kent Police in Medway said: "The bus will have some vital life saving equipment on board and will be split into three rooms.

"There is a medical room that will have oxygen and a defibrillator, an open area with seating and a private room.

"The bus will be a safe haven on Friday and Saturday nights around Medway dealing with people in a positive and non-judgemental way who are in distress, under the influence, vulnerable, in difficulty or simply in need of advice or assistance." I’m delighted that the bus has now been transformed and we can show people what it will look like.’

Medway Council's Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Enforcement Cllr Rehman Chishti said: "The Medway SOS Bus is yet another great example of how we are making Medway an even safer place to live, work and socialise.

"There are a great many benefits of this bus being out and about in Medway. The main ones are helping to reduce hospital admissions for minor ailments, fewer minor incidents for the police to deal with and helping health managers reach out to the public."

The Community Safety Partnership is also seeking volunteers to help work on the SOS Bus and act as the first point of contact. Insp Gary Woodward added: "Volunteers must be aged over 18 and no experience is necessary, as full training will be given. The ability to cope with unsociable hours, work in a team and be flexible is required and a good sense of humour is also essential!

"All volunteers will be asked to attend an initial meeting with the SOS Bus Project Team to learn more about the training opportunities in first aid, drug awareness, listening, child protection and conflict management."

More details will be available at the Castle Gardens event.