The Free Drop-In Service, for crisis listening and emotional support, now known as 'BUS-STOP', has evolved out of the Street Ministers Project; which has been running for over two years and is based in Milton Keynes.

It is a 'Drop-In' -an open facility. It is to offer Free Crisis Listening and Emotional Support, and may be manned by our trained Street Ministers, as befrienders.

It may also host regular counselling clients, on proper contract (donations needed) with qualified counsellors, or with student counsellors, on recognised courses. Please also confer with the other page that explains the BUS-STOP Drop-In, and the full Counselling services offered.

There is also a facility for a qualified counsellor to be called upon at our CMK office for more in depth work.

The Mini-Bus is currently located in The Market area at ‘Market Square’ near to the Crown Walk Entrance (No.8) in Milton Keynes Central Shopping Centre.

This new project development, the 'BUS-STOP' Free Drop-In, was born out of a need in Milton Keynes for a Drop-In Crisis facility to open on a regular daily basis.

This was primarily set up at the outset, due to the fact that no adequate drop-in facilities were available for a weekly crisis cover in the Milton Keynes City area.

There were other help agencies with surgeries, open by appointment, and only a few specific times and certainly not open every week day, or at the weekends, when clients also need support.

The BUS-STOP Drop-In facility is currently manned by trained Street Ministers' volunteers (befriending only) and trained counsellors, or student counsellors attending a recognized course in a College or University who carry out Counselling work.

The volunteers are all supported by qualified and regulated supervision. Insurances are in place for our trained Street Ministers, although for proper 'counselling contracts' our students and qualified professionals also have their own private insurance, as a normal safeguard.

The work bears some similarity to a project started over 20 years ago in Piccadilly, in the West End of London, at St. James’s Church (in the Courtyard) which is just a stone’s throw away from Piccadilly Circus.

This is called ‘The CARAVAN’ Drop-In and is provided by St. James’s Church and has been operated by the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education (CCPE) since 1982.

Picture Below:- The Project leader - Rev George Booty standing outside the old but much loved little green Caravan, in the courtyard of St. James’s in Piccadilly.

The web site address for the Caravan in Piccadilly is:- http://www.thecaravan.org.uk

Established in 1982 and seen here photographed in 2009; looking just the same.

'The CARAVAN', according to Nigel Hamilton, Director of the CCPE, is a special place for all that use it. “Possibly because it expresses love and care at the edge of a society itself struggling to develop value, stability and mental health. Because the Caravan appears so temporary, vulnerable, and transient it is a reminder to us all of the fragility and impermanence amidst the splendour and buzz of Piccadilly.” Nigel Hamilton (2002).

The CARAVAN has evolved into a vital counseling service, open 7 days a week and manned by 21 volunteer students, mostly training at CCPE. Some visitors have attended regularly for years, others may visit only once in a life crisis situation.

According to Charles Headley, the Rector of St.James’s who adds: “The Caravan provides a point of first contact and support to those who find it in times of crisis. In the crowds of Piccadilly it is possible to feel very alone, and the value of someone available to talk seven days a week is incalculable. In seeking to promote the spiritual and mental health needed for life, Church and Caravan are complementary and natural partners.”