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The Competition is now closed and a winner will be announced shortly.
Entries
- Entry 01: Dementia Action Marlow
- Entry 02: Child Bereavement UK
- Entry 03: South Bucks Hospice
- Entry 04: Chiltern Rangers CIC
- Entry 05: The Pace Centre
- Entry 06: Social Link
- Entry 07: Chiltern Music Academy
- Entry 08: Girlguiding Buckinghamshire
- Entry 09: Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity
- Entry 10: Thames Valley Air Ambulance
- Entry 11: High Wycombe Shopmobility
- Entry 12: Swarthmore Care Home
- Entry 13: Thomley Hall Centre
- Entry 14: Scannappeal
- Entry 15: Wycombe Homeless Connection
- Entry 16: Scouts Buckinghamshire
- Entry 17: Together Against Poverty Appeal
- Entry 18: Workaid
- Entry 19: Thames Valley Adventure Playground
- Entry 20: Wycombe Food Hub
- Entry 21: Wycombe Environment Centre
- Entry 22: GXCA Gerrards Cross Community Association
- Entry 23: One Can Trust
- Entry 24: The Theatre Shed
- Entry 25: Connection Support
- Entry 26: Community Impact Bucks
- Entry 27: Retina UK
- Entry 28: Curly Tails
- Entry 29: Sport in Mind
- Entry 30: Robs Arttt
- Entry 31: Cancer Research
- Entry 32: Sparkles Supporting Children with Down Syndrome
- Entry 33: UKCV Family
- Entry 34: Calibre Audio
- Entry 35: Rainbow Trust Children's Charity
- Entry 36: Common Sense Media
- Entry 37: Enter Tech Opportunities CIC
- Entry 38: Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
- Entry 39: Chilterns Prostate Cancer Support Group
- Entry 40: The Hospice Lottery Partnership
- Entry 41: Alzheimer's Society
- Entry 42: Buckinghamshire Music Trust
Dementia Action Marlow
Submitted by: Adam Broomfield
About Dementia Action Marlow: Dementia Action Marlow is an independent charity, formed in 2020, to support the local community living with dementia.
Website: https://www.dementiaactionmarlow.org/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? As a small charity which works with people in the local community who have dementia. Winning this would mean they could continue to support people in the local community with this awful life changing disease.
Child Bereavement UK
Submitted by: Jenny Angliss
About Child Bereavement UK: Child Bereavement UK is a national charity with a head office and service in Loudwater. The charity helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. Child Bereavement UK supports children and young people (up to the age of 25) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying. The charity also provides training to professionals in health and social care, education, and the voluntary and corporate sectors, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families.
Website: https://www.childbereavementuk.org/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? When a precious baby or child dies, or a child is bereaved of their mum or dad, brother or sister, lives are shattered. No one should have to grieve alone - raising awareness via bus branding would mean Child Bereavement UK could reach even more children, young people and families letting them know that the charity is here to help them feel less alone in their grief and support them to rebuild their lives after the devastation of bereavement.
South Bucks Hospice
Submitted by: Sharon Wilson and Victoria Toms
About South Bucks Hospice: It's a wonderful day service for palliative care patients based in High Wycombe with charity shops throughout Buckinghamshire. Not only do they provide palliative care but they support the patient in many ways physically, mentally and even socially and even offers support at home. They will also support the family and carers through this tough period in their lives as any life threatening illness will impact everyone not just the patient.
Website: https://sbh.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? This would mean the world to them, getting information out there to allow them to better fund their facility and showcase the amazing work they do for so many individuals.
Chiltern Rangers CIC
Submitted by: Stephanie Rodgers
About Chiltern Rangers CIC: Chiltern Rangers is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company whose mission is to enhance the Chilterns’ habitats through conservation, education and community engagement. Volunteers and community are the essence of their work – to make local green spaces better for people and wildlife, whether that is woodland, chalk grasslands, commons, ponds, chalk streams or school grounds, hospital gardens and other urban corners. Chiltern Rangers volunteers are people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, plus community organisations, charities, social enterprises, schools and colleges.
Website: https://chilternrangers.co.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? Volunteering with Chiltern Rangers has so many benefits, not only for the people involved but for our local wildlife too. It would be amazing to celebrate the work our volunteers and staff achieve for the benefit of local natural environment and to promote our organisation to attract more volunteers to help achieve our mission. Small, local social enterprises such as Chiltern Rangers rarely have budget to spend on advertising so this would mean so much to them and will reach their local community directly. Chiltern Rangers offer so many different opportunities to local people: from work experience for students, school projects, enhancing hospital gardens for patients, individual volunteering, and corporate volunteering. They really boost community engagement in the Buckinghamshire area. Volunteering for Chiltern Rangers is fun, sociable and can do wonders for your heart and mind.
The Pace Centre
Submitted by: Naomi Boles
About The Pace Centre: Pace is a specialist charity that is committed to supporting children with neurodisablities. Pace believe in every child’s ability to progress, no matter what challenges they face. Our specialist education and therapy teams work with babies, children, and young people from 0-18. We empower the children and their families so that they can reach their full potential and take their place in the world. We want every child in the UK with a neurodisability, and their family, to have access to educational and clinical support that is aligned with the Pace approach. To that end, we work very intentionally to share our expertise, to train other providers and practitioners at other mainstream schools and to campaign for better provision.
Website: https://thepacecentre.org/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? Everything we do is centred around our providing innovative and continually advancing best practice for children and their families, and visibility within our community plays a crucial role in achieving it. A presence on the back of buses not only aligns with these values of but would also be a powerful tool for spreading awareness about who we are and the vital work we do. For our children and young people, seeing our name and message on buses would be an empowering experience. It will further foster their sense of belonging and pride in being part of a community that recognises and supports them. Buses are an integral part of the daily life of our community. By having this advertising, we can ensure our message reaches a wide and diverse audience across the different routes. This visibility will encourage conversations about our mission and values, creating stronger connections between our school and the wider community, whilst also spreading recognition of Pace. The adverts on the back of the buses would be a symbol of inclusion, a source of pride and community connection, taking the school environment into the broader world. All of this helps to instill confidence in our children and young people.
Social Link
Submitted by: Laura Ripley
About Social Link: Social Link, established in 2010 is a charity that supports over 160 adults with learning disabilities in Buckinghamshire through its day services and evening programmes. We focus on the needs and wants of our members and provide a broad range of activities to inspire, educate and stimulate which are safe and supported.
Website: https://sociallinkcharity.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? Adults with learning disabilities do not get much publicity or support and so it would mean the world to their members for them to see the charity where they spend a great deal of their time being promoted. This year Social Link have opened a community cafe called OpportuniTea in Holmer Green to try and raise awareness for those with learning disabilities and as a place to provide real work experience and so being able to promote Social Link via bus branding would also help more people to know about us and the vast services they offer.
Chiltern Music Academy
Submitted by: Alex King
About Chiltern Music Academy: Chiltern Music Academy (CMA) is a registered charity offering outstanding musical activities to families in the High Wycombe area. It is a proud community of socially and culturally diverse children aged 3-18, who play and sing together outside school hours in choirs, bands and orchestras, and receive exceptional vocal and instrumental tuition. Over 400 children attend weekly, from complete beginners to grade 8 plus, with exciting opportunities available to them at every level.
A local success story, CMA has attracted many awards for educational and musical excellence. Our community serves children with special needs and able young musicians seeking a career in music. Music education improves academic outcomes, develops skills facilitating future employment, and increases self-esteem, resilience and good mental health. At CMA, we aim to offer these advantages to all, regardless of social or economic background, and are constantly creating solutions to inspire local children to enjoy music.
Website: https://chilternmusicacademy.org/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? How can a struggling family access music education for their child? The world has changed - since the pandemic, music teaching in schools has dramatically reduced. The benefits of learning should not just be for the wealthy. CMA can offer those advantages to every child if only they know about us. Buses are central to our community: let’s use one to tell local disadvantaged families about the fantastic opportunities for them at CMA.
CMA is a joyful success story in this community: a unique, self-supporting grass-roots charity producing fantastic results. High Wycombe is experiencing a resurgence of creative industries. A CMA bus will carry an image of hope and aspiration through the streets, illustrating Wycombe’s strength and value to its community.
Youth music encourages community cohesion, gives young people positive social structures and role models and motivates them to achieve. Buses carry students to school and enable them to develop independence. To cover a bus with an image of opportunity and invitation is to inspire young people take their place in a safe, welcoming community and to build a future for themselves through music.
Girlguiding Buckinghamshire
Submitted by: Lisa Ford
About Girlguiding Buckinghamshire: Girlguiding Buckinghamshire has and continues to offer a safe, inclusive, and adventurous space for any girls between the ages of 4 to 18 years across the entire county of Buckinghamshire. Our team of dedicated, unpaid but truly committed adult volunteers (many of whom having previously benefitted from the organisations support and activities as girls), work tirelessly to provide an array of varied and challenging activities and opportunities to assist our girls to develop their personal confidence, skills, and expand their life experiences to equip them to shape a meaningful life for their selves in future whilst gaining lifelong friendships and support. These members adventures and activities, include international team trips, closer to home residentials under canvas or other designated inside venues, crafts, sports, outside adventures, and life skills to help girls know they can achieve anything they set their mind to, under the guidance and support of their “Girlguiding family”.
Website: https://girlguidingbucks.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? For us at Girlguiding Buckinghamshire, an opportunity like this to reach out to more girls and potential volunteers across our County in such a unique and eye-catching way would be so beneficial. As an organisation for us to find the money to mobilise such an expensive advertising campaign would take time and dedicated effort by our already stretched volunteers in the form of additional grant seeking and fundraising activities. This is because any money we receive from our members is solely used for the purpose of providing the many opportunities, events, adventures, and activities for our girls. This of course includes any maintenance of buildings, insurance, training, or services we require to keep our girls and volunteers safe whilst accessing our services too. Therefore, any money for additional costs such as advertising and promotion is carefully planned, and additional sources secured which will result in lower key, more attainable options such as promotional stands at local events being the norm. Once again, only possible through the commitment and dedication of our unpaid volunteers to free up more of their time to do so. What is also of note is, however despite these challenges girls and volunteers will their selves engage in fundraising and provide gifts to local community causes and charities on a regular basis – with 100’s of examples across the county occurring at various points in the year or when requests come in from their local communities. As well as volunteering or assisting at community and national events – including the Kings Coronation. Therefore, to be offered such a wonderful opportunity to be rewarded with a campaign which may promote the organisation with potentially a greater impact and reach whilst being less reliant on our wonderful volunteers and girls to do so would be truly appreciated and valued.
Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity
Submitted by: Zoe Brown
About Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity: Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity is here for patients with life-limiting illnesses, and their families, across Buckinghamshire and its borders. We enhance and complement the care and support delivered by Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust to ensure patients, families and carers get the individual clinical, practical and emotional support they need to make the most of every day they have together. Since the opening of Florence Nightingale Hospice in 1989, many thousands of patients and families have benefitted from specialist hospice care. The Hospice remains the only bedded unit in Buckinghamshire for respite and end of life care and services have evolved over the years with much of our care now also offered in the community. All services are provided free of charge to patients and their families – this is only possible thanks to the continued support and fundraising efforts of so many individuals and businesses.
Website: https://fnhospice.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? We are committed to developing hospice services across Buckinghamshire and its borders – ensuring that everyone who could benefit from our care is able to access it, whenever and wherever they need it. We are significantly increasing our community care in the south of Buckinghamshire from January 2025. Having a 'Florence' branded bus will help us with our mission to raise awareness of our essential hospice care to local communities. Allowing more families to access our dedicated, compassionate care when they need it most.
Thames Valley Air Ambulance
Submitted by: Julia Horne
About Thames Valley Air Ambulance: If you were to suffer a critical injury or life threatening medical emergency, you would want to know help was nearby. That’s why Thames Valley Air Ambulance exists. We’re here for you and your loved ones. Whoever you are. Wherever and whenever you need us. In Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire. Last year we were called out 3,129 times, with 1,081 of these to people in urgent need of critical care in Buckinghamshire. Behind this number are real people, going through what is probably the most traumatic event of their lives. As a charity, every single call out we attend is funded by you. It is only thanks to the generous donations of our community that we can be there for patients wherever and whenever they need our help.
Website: https://www.tvairambulance.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? Last year, the most frequent type of call out Thames Valley Air Ambulance received was to cardiac arrests, with 1,207 over the year - an average of three a day. Yet, almost a third of people in Buckinghamshire would not feel confident giving CPR if they witnessed a cardiac arrest, despite 57 per cent receiving some form of CPR training in the past. Fewer than one in ten people survive a cardiac arrest outside of hospital, but the chance of surviving doubles with early CPR and defibrillation. Our doctors and paramedics bring the best expertise and kit to the scene, but if a bystander has already begun CPR before we arrive then it gives us the greatest possible chance of saving that patient. We are working to fill this CPR confidence gap in the community, as it could be key to saving more lives. We’d like to brand the bus and remind our amazing community of the lifesaving difference each one of us could make, if we just have the confidence to help in that moment. A unique ‘CPR’ bus, that turns every journey into a potential lifesaving story for a family in Buckinghamshire. This isn’t branding a bus for Thames Valley Air Ambulance, this is branding a brand a bus for you and your loved ones.
High Wycombe Shopmobility
Submitted by: Stuart Johnson
About High Wycombe Shopmobility: High Wycombe Shopmobility is a local charity helping people ,not only with disabilities, plus helping people with injuries to access the town, appointments, as well as shopping. Wheelchairs plus mobility scooters are available to hire 6 days a week. Shopmobility has been in High Wycombe over 30 years, as a charity we meet and greet from the bus station ,or your car. We are very friendly, with a positive group for more information call in or phone us.
Website: https://www.shopmobilityhighwycombe.co.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? All charities are finding things hard; we are no exception. Working in Eden would make a positive connection to people, which lots still don't know we exist.
Swarthmore Care Home
Submitted by: Claire Allsopp
About Swarthmore Care Home: We are a care home that began in 1947. We celebrate age by living each day packed with adventure. We value friendship, new opportunities and enjoy new places, people and experiences. Each idea becomes a journey!
Website: https://swarthmorecarehome.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? We could share our amazing residents, staff and volunteers ( human and the ones with 4 legs) to the rest of Bucks and be with them on their journey and make new memories together.
Thomley Hall Centre
Submitted by: Melanie Watters
About Thomley Hall Centre: Thomley enhances the well-being of disabled people through delivering activities that helps develop the skills they need to run their day-to-day lives. Thomley is a place for people of all abilities and disabilities. We provide an exciting site for disabled people, their families, carers and friends. We support people at any stage of their diagnostic journey, whatever their additional needs. Over the years we have extended and developed our activities where we now support people with disabilities of all ages and with any impairment. We actively welcome non-disabled visitors who take part in the same programme of activities as their disabled peers. Our specialist team develop a wide range of active and creative activities our visitors’ individual needs. Our programmes help make that each visitor can fully access their play, education, and the world around them, and reach their full potential.
Website: https://thomley.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? We would be able to reach out to families across Buckinghamshire who may not know about Thomley and what we can provide. Many families who have disabled children/family members, often feel isolated and alone, here at Thomley we provide a warm and friendly and accepting atmosphere. We would love to spread the word about Thomley to people who really need somewhere to go and socialise and not feel judged in any way. Thomley really is a unique and wonderful place and we would love to share it with everyone!
Scannappeal
Submitted by: Karen Shadlow
About Scannappeal: Scannappeal is a local charity that raises funds to purchase life saving state of the art medical equipment for Buckinghamshire NHS hospitals including Amersham, Stoke Mandeville, Wycombe and Community Hospitals, caring for people living across the county. The equipment funded allows specialist departments to be enhanced, new services introduced and patients to be cared for close to home. Over the past 37 years, Scannappeal has raised over £19 million, funding equipment for every major hospital department including, Cardiology, Radiology, Breast, Oncology, Urology, Gastroenterology, ENT, as well as Paediatrics. Scannappeal funded equipment benefits 1 in 4 people in the local community. Every 10 minutes, a patient in the area is diagnosed or treated using equipment provided by Scannappeal.
Website: https://scannappeal.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? Branding a bus for Scannappeal would be truly transformational. As a small charity with a big mission, we work tirelessly to provide life-changing state of the art medical equipment for our local NHS hospitals - Wycombe, Stoke Mandeville, Amersham, and the surrounding Community NHS Hospitals. Every pound we raise and every supporter we engage brings us closer to delivering cutting-edge technology that saves lives right here in Buckinghamshire. Winning the ‘Brand the Bus’ competition would be extraordinary opportunity to shine a spotlight on our vital cause, inspiring more people to join us in making a real difference. With a fully branded bus traveling throughout the region, we hope that Scannappeal’s message would reach thousands daily - patients, families, commuters, potential donors and volunteers. This visibility would be invaluable in helping us grow our supporter base, ensuring that we can continue to deliver the very best diagnostic and medical equipment for our local NHS hospitals. This prize isn’t just about advertising; it’s about making a lasting difference. Every time equipment funded by Scannappeal is used, it has the potential to detect diseases earlier, provide faster diagnoses, and ultimately save lives. By branding this bus, we can drive home the message that together, we can transform local healthcare. This is our chance to expand our voice, reach more people, and ensure that the patients in our community receive the very best care possible. Let’s make every journey a journey towards better health for Buckinghamshire.
Wycombe Homeless Connection
Submitted by: Angela Dacre
About Wycombe Homeless Connection: Homelessness is at its worst levels in south Buckinghamshire. For every person that you see sleeping on the street, there are 99 others suffering hidden homelessness, sofa surfing, sleeping in cars or on public transport to try and stay safe, dry and warm. Thousands of households in Buckinghamshire are in unsafe, unsuitable emergency and temporary accommodation. Wycombe Homeless Connection works to stop homelessness before it starts and to reduce the harm that it causes. We provide free services for people who are homeless or facing homelessness in south Bucks. Our team of staff and volunteers give advice and direct support like food, clothing and emergency accommodation. We help people understand their options, get the healthcare they need and help people navigate the complex and unforgiving housing system. Our main goal is to help people find somewhere safe to live so they can move on from just existing to truly living.
Website: https://wyhoc.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? Homelessness is dangerous and isolating. People who are forced to sleep on the street are stuck in survival mode, not knowing whether they will be safe each night or when they might have their next meal. All too often people who are homeless are ignored, silenced and abused. Wycombe Homeless Connection helps people who feel they have nowhere else to turn. Being featured on a Carousel bus would: - Help to reduce the stigma that people who are homeless face. - Reach people who are homeless so they know that we are here to help them. - Raise awareness of our work and our need for volunteer and financial support. - Help our work towards bringing homelessness to an end in our community. Wycombe Homeless Connection believe that all people have worth, should be treated with dignity, and that no one in our community should be without a home. One of our homelessness prevention clients told us “I was invisible to everyone else and you treated me like a human being”. “You picked me up and put me back on my feet.” Client who was rough sleeping.
Scouts Buckinghamshire
Submitted by: James Blachford
About Scouts Buckinghamshire: The Scouts is the UK’s largest co-educational youth movement, dedicated to helping young people develop skills for life. Open to boys and girls aged 4 to 25, it offers a wide range of adventurous activities, community projects, and leadership opportunities. Through a balanced programme, Scouts gain practical, social, and personal skills while building confidence, resilience, and teamwork. The organisation is volunteer-led, relying on the dedication of adult leaders to deliver high-quality, safe experiences. Scouts encourages inclusivity and diversity, welcoming members from all backgrounds and abilities. It promotes values such as integrity, respect, care, and cooperation, aligning with its mission to prepare young people to make a positive impact in their communities and the wider world. From local meetings and camps to international expeditions, Scouts provides exciting opportunities for personal growth, fostering a sense of adventure and lifelong friendships.
Website: https://www.bucks-scouts.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? Branding a bus would be a fantastic opportunity for the Scouts to raise awareness of the positive impact we have on young people and our local communities. A bus wrapped in Scout branding would act as a moving billboard, showcasing the fun, adventure, and skills development that Scouting offers to thousands of young people across the region. It would help promote our message of inclusivity, resilience, and community service, encouraging more families to get involved, whether by enrolling their children or volunteering as leaders. For potential new members, seeing the bus could spark curiosity and inspire them to join an organisation that offers unique experiences like camping, hiking, and community projects. For adults, it serves as a call to action, highlighting the need for volunteers to support and guide the next generation. Moreover, the bus would visually demonstrate that Scouts are active, modern, and relevant, breaking outdated stereotypes and showing that we’re about much more than just knots and campfires. It would also help strengthen community ties, making our presence more visible and reminding people that Scouts play an important role in fostering leadership, teamwork, and citizenship in young people. In addition, the branding could spotlight special events, such as local fundraisers, community projects, or recruitment drives, helping us reach wider audiences in a cost-effective and engaging way. It’s not just about promoting Scouts, it’s about inspiring the whole community to support and participate in shaping young people’s futures.
Together Against Poverty Appeal
Submitted by: Bethany Cox
About Together Against Poverty Appeal: 1 in 9 children in Buckinghamshire are living in absolute poverty. Our Together Against Poverty Appeal provides essential one-off grants to help individuals and families experiencing severe hardship and distress, including food, shelter or fuel poverty. Our unique system of referrals from Community Advocates – front-line experts – helps us to reach those most in need in Buckinghamshire and ensure all funding is making a real difference. The majority of grants are made in Wycombe and the surrounding area.
Website: https://heartofbucks.org/poverty-campaign/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? The visibility of Carousel Buses across Buckinghamshire will help those in need realise they are not alone and financial support is available. Branding the bus with the Together Against Poverty Appeal information will provide local people facing poverty with advice on how to access emergency grants in under 48-hours. As the cost of living continues to impact daily life for many, demand for this kind of support is rising fast. Last year we distributed £2,000 every day to beneficiaries ranging from those who are elderly, vulnerable or isolated to young families struggling through no fault of their own. The branding will also raise awareness amongst those more fortunate who may wish to donate to this Appeal and improve the lives of everyone in the county we all call home.
Workaid
Submitted by: Fiona Cairns
About Workaid: Workaid is a charity based in Chesham, Buckinghamshire empowering young people in Africa (and the UK) to help themselves by developing the skills and knowledge needed to find gainful employment or start their own business.
Their hard-working volunteers refurbish donated tools to a high standard and ship them to training centres and self-help organisations in Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda. Workaid's vision is a world in which all young people are able to achieve full and productive employment.
Workaid also offers opportunities to people with rehabilitation needs, mild to moderate learning disabilities and those facing employment challenges. This enables them to learn valuable life lessons and vocational skills.
Website: www.workaid.org
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? Branding the bus would not only mean a lot to the volunteers, it would also allow Workaid to continue to carry out life-changing work in Africa. Since Workaid is a small charity, any advertisement that promotes it will have a significant impact.
Thames Valley Adventure Playground
Submitted by: Gary Warrington
About Thames Valley Adventure Playground: TVAP CIO is a unique Charity, originally founded in 1979 to provide a range of adventurous, therapeutic and educational play activities for children and adults with disabilities, mild or profound. The voluntary Board of Trustees of the CIO operate the Thames Valley Adventure Playground just outside Maidenhead providing a safe, caring and stimulating playful learning environment where families and individuals are supported in their play and enjoy some much needed respite. The TVAP CIO supports children and adults with varied additional needs as well as the families and carers of the special person they care for. The TVAP is an inclusive play space and we welcome siblings, friends of the child with additional needs and children from the local community to come and join in the fun and experience a special TVAP play day.
Website: https://www.tvap.co.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? TVAP is a lifeline for families, an escape from normality where they can just be themselves. It is a hidden gem for all children, and adults, that we would like to show to more people who really need, us so we think your kind advertising offer would potentially reach some of those people. We are passionate about working with different groups and organisations and this opportunity would give us a fantastic platform to continue sharing this extra special playground and grow our TVAP Community. We are really lucky to have lot of very worthwhile charities in the local area, so thank you for considering TVAP to be one of them.
Wycombe Food Hub
Submitted by: Trevor Snaith
About Wycombe Food Hub: Wycombe Food Hub is tackling food waste and supporting those facing food insecurity. Each month, we rescue over 2500 crates of surplus food from supermarkets and local businesses, preventing it from going to landfill. We provide free food through our Community Fridge and offer £5 food baskets worth around £35, supporting over 700 individuals and families each week—no referral required. Beyond food access, we work with local groups such as RBL to assist veterans, BNU to support students, and provide help to refugees, blue-light workers, pensioners and those struggling with food insecurity Our efforts are powered by dedicated volunteers who collect, sort, and distribute food from across Bucks and neighbouring areas. We’re currently raising funds to secure a permanent space in High Wycombe to continue and expand our essential work. Get involved—help us reduce food waste, fight hunger, and build a stronger community.
Website: https://wycombefoodhub.org/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? Branding a bus for Wycombe Food Hub would be a powerful opportunity to raise awareness and enhance its impact within the community. Here's what it could mean for the organisation: Increased Visibility: A branded bus would become a mobile advertisement, spreading awareness of Wycombe Food Hub's mission and services throughout the region as it travels. Community Engagement: The visual presence of the bus would spark conversations, encouraging more people to get involved, whether by donating, volunteering, or accessing services. Accessibility & Outreach: A branded bus could be used for food distribution, pop-up community events, or mobile educational sessions on food sustainability and household safety initiatives. Strengthened Identity: It would establish Wycombe Food Hub as a recognisable and trusted community resource, reinforcing its reputation as a champion for reducing food waste and supporting those in need. Partnership Opportunities: A bus with visible branding could attract new sponsors and collaborators eager to associate with a positive community-driven cause.
Wycombe Environment Centre
Submitted by: Karen Prendergast
About Wycombe Environment Centre: The Refresh the Marketplace shop in the Chilterns Shopping Centre sells materials for all manner of crafting, fabric, wool, haberdashery, paper, foils, paints amongst many others. All of our stock is donated to us from industry and other crafters and our goal is to reuse, upcycle and recycle our stock so that it doesn’t end up in landfill. The shop is volunteer run by amazing local people, supporting local crafters.
Website: https://www.refreshwycombe.org/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? With next to no budget for promotion and marketing and in a somewhat derelict shopping centre, it would mean the world to us to be able to let more local people know where we are. As a volunteer run shop we love local crafters popping in, not just to stock up on materials, but to sit and sew or knit and natter with other crafters, sharing tips and creating a wonderful community resource. Our community initiative has been well received but we have lots to do to spread the word!
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GXCA Gerrards Cross Community Association
Submitted by: Sarah Williams
About GXCA Gerrards Cross Community Association: GXCA is a meeting place that fosters a community spirit and helps reduce social isolation with clubs & societies, exercise, social and educational classes as well as a community café.
Website: https://www.gxca.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? It will enable us to let more people know about what’s happening at GXCA and encourage more people to visit, get involved in clubs, events or even volunteer. The centre hosts many community events include a monthly Repair Café, daytime meetings, quiz nights etc as well as clubs for children, exercise and special interests such as short mat bowls, Probus, Flower Clubs etc.
One Can Trust
Submitted by: Helen Foster
About One Can Trust: The One Can Trust food bank supports people across Buckinghamshire who are experiencing food poverty and insecurity. In December 2024 we provided over 1,000 food parcels with a value of approximately £77, 697 to around 450 people a week, including families with children, elderly couples and single people. A parcel for a small family will cost about £111.30. No one wants to admit they need help feeding themselves or their families, so we provide a discreet and free service to our clients. The nutritionally balanced food parcels last seven days and we deliver them at no cost to our clients by our loyal volunteers. They include fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs and bread as well as a variety of ambient goods. It’s sad we are needed in the 21st century, but we are glad we are here to be a buffer for the poorest members of local society from going hungry.
Website: https://onecantrust.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? We have an extremely limited advertising budget. The amount we spend on paid advertising is £0. All publicity is organic, generated through social media, word-of-mouth, and presentations to schools, churches and other organisations as well as food collections in local supermarkets. We want to spend whatever funds we might have on extra food that is not donated. Paid advertising is a luxury, a small local charity like the One Can Trust cannot afford or consider. So, this would be the most fantastic opportunity for us to spread the word to the people in the south Buckinghamshire area. Particularly those people who need our help, but don’t know we exist and also to those organisations which might not know they can refer people to us for help. Appearing on the side of a bus is such an effective way for charities like the One Can Trust to reach people. We all know the latest films which are coming out (for example) because they appear on the side of a bus – or on the back of a bus! We'd be absolutely delighted if we won this opportunity.
The Theatre Shed
Submitted by: Amy Hooper
About The Theatre Shed: The Theatre Shed is an all inclusive no audition Theatre Group who open their doors to anyone no matter their background, neurodivergent, ethnic etc. They not only just put workshops on but they go out into the community to run outreach programs like working with PACE, Gateaway, and many schools and doing transition programs from year 6 to year 7 or year 2 to year 3. The Theatre Shed for many many is an outlet , a family where they can be themselves and flourish.
Website: https://thetheatreshed.co.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? Branding the bus would mean to the organisation a lot. As a charity they do a lot of fundraising to get the money to be able to continue the work they do and to continue to be able to open the doors. I think to The Theatre Shed it would mean the absolute world to them that they can continue the life changing work , that they can put towards their money on going on tour , taking the young people out on more trips and giving them even more experiences that they don't get at home. Having The Theatre Shed on the Bus would truly show how amazing they are and the dedication and hard work and the fact they have some many different programs , opportunities open to everyone . It would be life changing.
Connection Support
Submitted by: Georgia Cox
About Connection Support: Providing homelessness and housing support since 1995, Connection Support has been a cornerstone of Oxfordshire for 30 years. Now serving Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes too, we help people overcome life’s toughest challenges. With 30+ services spanning homelessness and housing, mental health, families, young people, and refugee resettlement, we’re experts at life-changing intervention. Our mission is simple: help people become safely and sustainably housed and achieve lasting independence. Last year alone, we provided tailored, trauma-informed support to over 5,000 people through our staff and volunteers working collaboratively with our partners. Our vision is to prevent homelessness and mental health crises from happening, but for when they do, we’ll be there to help every step of the way. Perhaps one client put it best when they said: “I had a mountain to climb, and it was you that gave me the equipment I needed to do what I once thought was impossible.”
Website: https://www.connectionsupport.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? It’s a milestone year for Connection Support as we’re celebrating our 30th birthday. For three decades, we’ve provided life-changing support to people across Oxfordshire, and yet many people still don’t know we exist. With bold ambitions to be a thought-leader in the prevention of homelessness and mental ill-health, a branded bus would help us change that. Our Prevention First strategy lays out our vision for the future: we want to provide innovative services that help to prevent crises from happening. To do this, we need public support. This opportunity would give us a powerful platform to showcase the lives we’ve changed and the impact we’ve had, deepening our connection with the communities we serve. With this kind of visibility, we could put real stories front and centre - like James, who found security after sleeping rough, or Nesrin, who finally found hope through our refugee resettlement project. Last year alone, we helped over 5,000 people in their time of need, and with this kind of exposure, we could help many more. Reaching thousands through the bus itself, onboard advertising, radio coverage, and the Oxford City Football Club partnership, we could engage new audiences, inspire action, and attract the vital support we need to sustain and grow our work. Increased awareness would also help us secure diverse funding streams, which could be put towards designing and delivering innovative, needs-based services that address the gaps we see in available provision. In short, this opportunity would help to ensure that the next person who has a mountain to climb doesn’t have to do it alone.
Community Impact Bucks
Submitted by: Rachel Fisher
About Community Impact Bucks: Volunteer Bucks is an online platform where volunteers and charities from across Buckinghamshire can connect with each other. Run by local charity Community Impact Bucks, it is the central point for volunteering in the county. People can browse and apply for volunteering opportunities according to interests, location, and availability. Free and easy to use, there is also an online quiz to help people who aren’t sure what type of role would best match their skills and interests. The Volunteer Bucks platform replaces the Volunteer Matching Service which was set up in March 2020 in response to the pandemic, matching over 2150 volunteers with over 140 organisations. Launched in September 2024, the new platform streamlines the matching process, making it easier for volunteers to find a role that is right for them and for organisations to find volunteers to help them continue to support local communities and causes.
Website: https://communityimpactbucks.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? Having the Volunteer Bucks platform branded on a bus would help hundreds of local charities find volunteers and continue their work, as well as make it easier for Bucks residents to find roles that are right for them. The branding would also help raise awareness of volunteering in general and the variety of roles available in the region – from roles that can be carried out at home, to team volunteering opportunities and supporting one-off events. Volunteering can bring significant benefits to the people who are giving their time for free, such as gaining new skills and meeting new people, as well as to those they are helping – whether that is an individual, community or cause. By promoting Volunteer Bucks and volunteering, the bus branding could help individuals and groups get involved and build strong and vibrant communities in Buckinghamshire.
Retina UK
Submitted by: Amelia Burton
About Retina UK: Retina UK is a Buckingham based national charity- it is the only UK charity principally dedicated to supporting people living with inherited sight loss to help them live well today, and to investing in medical research to accelerate the search for treatments. Inherited sight loss conditions are the leading cause of blindness in the working age population and result in the progressive and unpredictable loss of vision. Retina UK runs a helpline, conducts outreach with young people, parents of children with inherited sight loss, and a befriending service. We also support research at institutions such as Oxford University, KCL, and UCL
Website: https://retinauk.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? This would be an invaluable opportunity for us to raise awareness of inherited sight loss, hopefully reach more people to support, and raise our charity’s profile. We are going into our 50th anniversary year, and bus branding would be an incredible way to mark that, as we look to build momentum for the future.
Curly Tails
Submitted by: Francesca Hockham
About Curly Tails: Curly Tails Wellbeing Centre, located in Buckinghamshire, is more than just a pig sanctuary; it's a haven dedicated to both animal welfare and human well-being. Established in 2016 by Jane Scott, the centre rescues and rehomes unwanted pet pigs, many of which have faced neglect or mistreatment. Beyond providing a safe environment for these animals, Curly Tails offers porcine and animal-assisted therapy to enhance mental health, education, and self-worth for individuals of all ages and abilities. The centre collaborates with educational institutions, mental health organisations, and community groups, welcoming over 12,000 visitors annually. Through interactive experiences, visitors engage in learning journeys that foster empathy, confidence, and inner contentment. Curly Tails' holistic approach emphasizes the reciprocal relationship between humans and animals, creating a harmonious space for growth and healing.
Website: https://curlytails-wellbeing.org/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? For Curly Tails Wellbeing Centre, branding a bus isn’t about expansion, it’s about recognition and survival. Curly Tails does incredible work rescuing abandoned pet pigs and providing animal-assisted therapy to people in need. But like many organisations working at the intersection of animal welfare and human wellbeing, they fall into a funding gap, often overlooked because they are seen as an animal charity rather than a human one. Raising Awareness & Challenging Perceptions A branded bus would increase visibility for a charity that operates on minimal funding and staff, helping to shine a light on their vital work. Many people don’t realise how many pigs are abandoned after being bought as pets, nor do they understand the impact these animals can have on mental health and wellbeing. A branded bus would serve as a moving message, prompting people to learn more, engage, and support the cause. Encouraging Funding & Sponsorship Support With limited financial backing and a founder who volunteers her time, Curly Tails relies on the generosity of donors and sponsors. A branded bus would signal credibility and permanence, making it easier to attract corporate sponsors and funders who want to align with a meaningful cause. It’s a visual representation that says: This work matters. This charity deserves support. Strengthening the Curly Tails Community For the small but dedicated team running the charity, a branded bus would be a symbol of pride and recognition - helping validate the tireless work they do with minimal resources. Branding a bus isn’t about expansion - it’s about securing the future of a charity that does so much with so little. More awareness means more support, and more support means Curly Tails can continue changing lives - both human and porcine.
Sport in Mind
Submitted by: Samantha Rosier
About Sport in Mind: Sport in Mind is an award winning mental health charity that was formed in Reading , Berkshire in 2010 with a simple mission “To improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems through sport and physical activity.” We are the UK’s leading mental health sports charity and deliver physical activity (sport, walking, dance and movement, gardening and exercise sessions) projects in partnership with the amazing NHS in order to aid recovery, promote mental wellbeing, improve physical health, combat social isolation and empower people to move their lives forward in a positive direction.
Website: https://www.sportinmind.org/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? In 2024 we delivered 5,895 sessions with over 42,000 attendances across 140 locations. We've seen first hand the positive impact physical activity can have on people's mental health having supported the recovery of thousands of people each year (sporty people and people who say they've never previously liked sport). We believe there's a sport or physical activity out there for everyone and Sport in Mind's aim is to ensure every single person in the country has the opportunity to improve their mental health through a physical activity session they enjoy. In addition to delivering physical activity programmes to improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems, Sport in Mind also educates people about mental illness and the benefits of being physically active. Sadly, there are still many common misconceptions about mental illness in society today and we use the power of sport to bring people together to talk about mental health and help change attitudes. Branding the bus would help us to continue our vital work and support event more people who are suffering with their mental health.
Robs Arttt
Submitted by: Amanda Dunkerton
About Robs Arttt: We raised funds for research into DSRCT A Rare Teenage cancer that took the life of my 15yr old son.
Website: https://www.robsarttt.co.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? This will raise awareness for my late son's charity. Rob was a High Wycombe boy and many people will notice this advertised on busses. It will be an honour.
Cancer Research
Submitted by: Suzanne Clothier
About Cancer Research UK: Cancer research help a lot of people. Cancer is a horrible disease. They can send information to help you. You can talk to them and ask for help .it's so helpful to talk to someone about stuff you are going through you get a lot of information when you get diagnosed. But sometimes big words and a lot to take in When i was diagnosed I didn't know i had a tumour .I had a scan for something else and that's when they found my tumour. I spoke to cancer research. I was in shock. They helped me talk about it .and talked about the surgery I had to have to remove thyroid cancer. They are so valuable to me and everyone. They need promoting so others can get advice.
Website: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? To advertise cancer research means that people can find out about what they can do .that you can get information about your cancer. And they can talk to you about it .so helpful as a lot to take in at time of diagnosis. You can break info down and discuss each bit.
Sparkles Supporting Children with Down Syndrome
Submitted by: Bushra Maqsood
About Sparkles Supporting Children with Down Syndrome: Sparkles is a parent-led charity based in Buckinghamshire, UK, dedicated to supporting pre-school children with Down's syndrome. Established in 1999 by a group of proactive parents, the charity offers free, high-quality therapeutic services to help children reach their full potential. The core services provided by Sparkles include: Speech and Language Therapy: Group sessions designed to enhance communication skills, typically starting when a child can sit unaided. Physiotherapy: One-on-one sessions beginning as early as three months old, focusing on physical development and mobility. Occupational Therapy: Sessions addressing fine motor skills, sensory processing, and daily living activities, beneficial from birth. Beyond therapy, Sparkles fosters a supportive community for families, organizing events and maintaining a private Facebook group for sharing experiences and resources. The charity relies on fundraising efforts and encourages families to participate in various events to sustain and expand its services.
Website: https://sparkles.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? Winning an opportunity to feature Sparkles on local bus branding and raising funds would be transformative for the charity. Here’s what it could mean: 1. Greater Awareness & Visibility Being featured on a local bus would dramatically increase Sparkles’ visibility within the community. Public transport reaches thousands of people daily, helping to spread awareness about the charity’s mission and the importance of early intervention for children with Down’s syndrome. It could also help attract more families in need of support, ensuring no child misses out on essential therapy services. 2. More Funding for Vital Therapy Services Additional fundraising boost would have a profound impact on the services Sparkles provides: Expanding Speech & Language Therapy: More group sessions could be offered, reducing waiting times and allowing more children to benefit from expert support. Increasing Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy: Additional funding could mean hiring more therapists or extending session availability, helping children develop essential motor skills and independence. Covering Costs for Families: Some families may struggle with transport or access to therapy—this funding could help ensure no child is left behind due to financial constraints. 3. Strengthening the Sparkles Community With increased funds, Sparkles could enhance family support programs, host more inclusive events, and provide parents with additional resources. A stronger network means families feel less isolated and more empowered to help their children thrive. 4. Long-Term Sustainability & Growth Beyond immediate support, this opportunity could help Sparkles secure future funding. Increased visibility might attract corporate sponsors, local businesses, and more donors, ensuring the charity’s long-term sustainability and potential expansion. A Life-Changing Opportunity Winning this opportunity wouldn’t just put Sparkles on the map—it would change lives. It would mean more children receiving life-changing therapy, more families getting the support they need, and a stronger, more inclusive community for children with Down’s syndrome.
UKCV Family
Submitted by: Charlet Crichton
About UKCV Family: UKCVFamily is the only registered charity in England and Wales 1207178 supporting those adversely affected by Covid-19 vaccination. We are run entirely by volunteers, all of whom are vaccine-injured or -bereaved themselves. Formed in November 2021, and awarded charity status in February 2024, we specifically focus on the needs of UK-based patients, providing help and advocacy; and actively raising awareness amongst the British healthcare system, media, and government. We mostly provide support through our very active Facebook community. We also host online social events, in-person outreach events, provide MP and GP letter-writing support, and organise presentations from healthcare practitioners.
Website: https://www.ukcvfamily.org/youarenotalone
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? As a national charity supporting around 3,000 people currently we rely solely on public donations. We are run entirely by people who are affected and all are unpaid. As it stands there have been over 17,000 claims to the government's vaccine damage payment scheme so we know there are more people affected who have yet to find out charity. We have recently been witnesses in the UK's Covid-19 public inquiry. We struggle to fund advertising projects and winning this package would mean a huge deal to us. Each time a newspaper prints a story about our charity we receive many emails from people affected.
Calibre Audio
Submitted by: Sue Canderton
About Calibre Audio: In 1974 three women started recording books onto cassette so the sight-impaired son of one could listen for pleasure and education. Calibre was born, providing audiobooks for anyone with disabilities which mean they can’t read print. Today our 425 members across Buckinghamshire (and more UK-wide) can stream, download or listen on USB sticks to over 18,200 books across all genres, some from publishers, some recorded by our wonderful 98 volunteer narrators. We support people with visual impairments, motor disorders, brain injury, or learning issues. We have three Bucks bookclubs connecting people; our Membership Services team provides support, especially for older, isolated members, who describe us as a lifeline. Our Assisted Reading in Schools project has so far supported dyslexic children in 13 Bucks schools and we are reaching out to many more. 34 schools across Buckinghamshire have Calibre accounts, and 71 individual teachers and pupils.
Website: https://www.calibreaudio.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? One in five people in Buckinghamshire will experience sight loss in their lifetime; one in ten children in each of our county’s schools is believed to be dyslexic; one in six of our residents lives with the pain and reduced mobility of conditions like arthritis. All of them, and many more with other disabilities or learning differences, will struggle to read a printed book. Calibre Audio can bring them the joy, companionship, and learning and mental health benefits of reading, through our unique audiobooks service. But… they need to know about us! Our ever-growing collection covers fiction and non-fiction, school texts for all ages, classics, new releases, and all the best-sellers. It's free for under-25s and anyone using our USB service (£3 a month to stream / download). Our Membership Services team is on the end of a ‘phone to guide people through the collection, and for lonely or housebound people, just have a friendly chat. Branding a bus would be an amazing opportunity for Calibre Audio to let thousands more people around High Wycombe and across Buckinghamshire know how we can enrich their lives. We’re doing all we can to spread the word through schools and higher education, care homes, the NHS and local authorities. But none of these will have the impact of a fully branded bus for a whole year, plus advertising on other vehicles, in spreading awareness to thousands more people of all ages across our county, who are excluded from the life-changing power of being able to read.
Rainbow Trust Children's Charity
Submitted by: Ellen Armour
About Rainbow Trust Children's Charity: With there being are an estimated 86,625 children in England with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, thousands of families have to face the very real possibility that their child may die as they struggle to cope on a day-to-day basis. Rainbow Trust supports these families, pairing them with an expert Family Support Worker who provides essential, tailored practical and emotional support for the whole family, whenever and for as long as needed. Family Support Workers are with the family from diagnosis through treatment and, if the unthinkable happens, through bereavement. Support is hugely varied and depends on the needs of the family. It is given at home, in the community or in hospital. It can include listening to a family’s fears, keeping a seriously ill child company during hospital stays, driving families to medical appointments, organising fun activities to help sick children and their siblings, and support through bereavement and grief.
Website: https://www.rainbowtrust.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? Last year we supported 1,274 families with a seriously ill child, however many more families desperately need our support today as they struggle to cope. A branded bus would be a great way for families with a seriously ill child to hear about our services and get the help they need. Often parents with a seriously ill child are drained, exhausted and are struggling to cope both practically and emotionally. They may also have other children who can feel overlooked and confused about what is happening to their sibling. A branded bus would help us to reach these parents, siblings and families, showing them that they do not have to cope alone. Rainbow Trust has been running for nearly 40 years. During these 40 years, we have seen the impact and necessity of the emotional and practical services we provide for seriously ill children and their families. A branded bus would be a special way to commemorate and celebrate Rainbow Trust’s 40th anniversary in 2026, encouraging people to take part in initiatives and fundraising challenge, raising vital funds to help us to support more families caring for a seriously ill child. It would also reinforce the importance of social palliative care as there continues to be a lack of understanding that palliative care is not purely clinical and that organisations, such as Rainbow Trust, providing social palliative care alongside clinical-based hospices and the NHS, are vital.
Common Sense Media UK
Submitted by: Michaela Carmichael
About Common Sense Media UK: A Child & Tech advocacy charity, everything we do is based on research, we provide independent reviews and advice for families, continued professional development and digital literacy curriculum for teachers - all free and online, and evidence to policy makers and regulators. Most tech wasn't built with children in mind. We're on a mission to change that. We believe in media that inspires and entertains families of all kinds. In technology that protects privacy and supports communities. In learning tools that prepare learners and educators for success in a connected world.
Website: https://www.commonsensemedia.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? We'd brand the bus with device advice for parents broadly around these message/s: Focus on conversations not controls. Engage. Be a role model. Device Free Dinners/Family Time. So that parents and carers feel confident and reinforced for online guidance for the children in their life. We're excited to share these timely message with all families, especially hard to reach families.
Enter Tech Opportunities CIC
Submitted by: Kaitlyn Hardacre
About Enter Tech Opportunities CIC: Enter Tech Opportunities is dedicated to empowering neurodivergent girls, women and non-binary people (aged 14-25) by providing them with the necessary skills to thrive in diverse technology environments. We aim to address the unique challenges faced by this group, enhancing their employability and confidence, whilst increasing the representation of neurodivergent females in technology-focused industries. Objectives: >Enhance Employability: Equip neurodivergent females with the skills needed to succeed. >Foster Inclusivity: Create an inclusive environment where neurodivergent perspectives are celebrated. >Build Confidence: Boost participants' self-esteem and mental health. By achieving these objectives, Enter Tech Opportunities aims to pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse workforce, where neurodivergent women can thrive and make significant contributions. Activities: >Interactive Accessible Workshops: Covering essential workplace skills. >Employment Taster Sessions: Providing exposure to various careers within the tech industry. >Professional Mentorship: Pairing participants with industry professionals for guidance and support.
Website: https://atypify.com/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? By branding a bus, we would increase our visibility and reach, allowing us to connect with more neurodivergent people across different communities who could benefit from our programs. The bus would serve as advertisement for our organisation, ensuring that our services are accessible to individuals who may not be aware of them otherwise. The bus’s presence in various locations would allow us to break down barriers that would otherwise prevent people from knowing about us. It would also create opportunities to raise awareness about the unique challenges neurodivergent individuals face in pursuing careers in technology, a field where their representation is sorely lacking. Additionally, branding a bus would serve as a powerful tool for promoting and celebrating neurodiversity. The bus would carry a clear message of inclusivity, acceptance, and empowerment demonstrating to the wider community that neurodivergent individuals are not only valued but essential to the tech industry. Ultimately, branding a bus would not only help more people access our services but also support our mission to create a more inclusive, diverse, and supportive society for all.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
Submitted by: Penny Porter
About Hearing Dogs for Deaf People: Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a Buckinghamshire-based charity that rebuilds deaf people’s sense of safety, freedom and connection to the world around them. When you’re deaf, the fear of missing important and life-saving sounds - such as alarm clocks, smoke alarms and baby monitors - can leave you feeling incredibly vulnerable. Living with deafness can also cause debilitating loneliness and anxiety, creating significant communication challenges, every day. Our hearing dogs bring practical support and constant, loving companionship to their deaf partners – a combination that is often completely life-changing. As well as alerting to vital sounds, these amazing dogs bring visibility to their partner’s deafness, supporting them to create connections and overcome social barriers. It costs £40,000 to support a hearing dog throughout their lifetime. Our dogs can only complete their highly-skilled training through kind donations from the public and our incredible network of volunteers.
Website: https://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? Since 1999, Buckinghamshire has been home to our head office and our southern training centre, The Grange. Almost 3,000 hearing dogs have been trained in Bucks and 23 people in the county, including two children, are benefiting from a hearing dog’s life-changing support right now. The Grange also hosts our hearing information days, bringing expertise and community to people living with hearing loss and those close to them. Having our branding on a bus travelling through Bucks would bring visibility to this isolating and invisible disability. There are approximately 185,000 people living with hearing issues in Bucks*. By seeing our charity branded bus, they can learn that there is hope of living well with hearing loss, and that they don’t have to struggle alone. In the UK, hearing loss is on the rise, often accompanied by intense loneliness, anxiety and fear. Our amazing assistance dogs bring comfort, safety and connection to deaf people across the UK, and we’re currently receiving more applications than ever before. But as demand for these life-saving dogs is rising, so is our need for volunteers. A branded bus would inspire more kind-hearted dog lovers to join our volunteering community, allowing us to change more lives. There are already over 380 amazing volunteers training and caring for our dogs in Buckinghamshire, and we need more to continue creating our carefully matched hearing dog partnerships. Finally, a branded bus would raise vital funds to give the precious gifts of connection and freedom to even more deaf people. With each hour of a puppy's sound-alert training costing £15, just imagine how many sounds our puppies could learn with a big bus travelling through the county! *1 in 3 adults are estimated to be deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus in the UK.
Chilterns Prostate Cancer Support Group
Submitted by: Barry Sarl
About Chilterns Prostate Cancer Support Group: A twenty-year-old patient-led support and awareness group started by the Urology ward of Wycombe Hospital focusing on supporting all men and their families in the community with a diagnosis of Prostate Cancer. In recent years we have a heightened focus on men of Black and Asian origin who are twice as likely to suffer and pass away with Prostate Cancer. Prostate Cancer is now the largest cancer killer of all in the UK today, having overtaken Breast Cancer.
Website: https://cpcsg.org.uk
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? (Raising the profile of Chilterns Prostate Cancer Support Group CPCSG, would help us to deliver support and raise awareness for men and their families regarding the challenges and dangers associated with Prostate Cancer PCa. And very importantly ensure that regular FREE PSA blood testing in the Buckinghamshire area is available and accessible. The PSA blood test is as good an indicator of early recognition of potential Prostate Cancer PCa issues as is possible at this moment in time. Too many men pass away every year from a disease that with early detection can be successfully treated and extend the lives of Husbands, Grandfathers, Fathers, Brothers, Uncles and Friends. Emphasis needs to be focused on Black and Asian men because of their higher propensity in suffering with PCa. The price of a PSA test on average is £25.00 plus, which in certain areas of the Buckinghamshire community that is a prohibitive cost. CPCSG make themselves available for talks to Companies, Clubs, Associations, Groups, Schools, Health Centres, GP surgeries in fact all areas of the community which are affected by having to deal with Male family members who are suffering with or maybe carry a higher risk of being prone to Prostate Cancer. We have just reached the milestone of giving over 1000 (One Thousand) men a free PSA blood test. Help us achieve 2000 and beyond.
The Hospice Lottery Partnership
Submitted by: Faith McNamara
About The Hospice Lottery Partnership: The Hospice Lottery Partnership was formed in 1997 with the purpose of raising funds for our 8 health-related partner charities who care for people in their community when they need it most, via a weekly lottery and seasonal Superdraw Raffles. We are a not-for-profit social enterprise company, returning all our operational surpluses to the charities that we support, which was 58% of our total income in the last financial year. Since launching 27 years ago, we have grown to over 40,000 players, who have helped to donate nearly £20 million straight to our partner charities’ funds. During 2023/24 alone our supporters helped to fund an incredible £1.2 million of care, and we aim to raise even more year on year. We continue to focus on attracting many more new players, who together with our existing supporters, make an even greater difference to people’s lives at a time when they need help most.
Website: https://hospicelottery.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? We are committed to connecting with our community and making a meaningful, lasting difference. The Hospice Lottery raises funds for eight local charities that help support people in our local community. These charities form the heart of our mission, and we’re honoured to stand beside them, amplifying their work and impact. Hospices are facing increasing challenges in securing the funding they need to continue their vital work. That’s why this year; we’re committed to raising even more awareness to ensure our partner charities receive a sustainable source of funding. However, this effort isn’t something we can achieve alone. Our mission can only happen with the support and participation of those within our community. We aim to reach those who may not yet be familiar with the work we do, by combining the fun and excitement of a lottery with the wonderful feeling that comes with charitable giving. Our players often share that they feel like winners regardless of the lottery outcome – knowing that they’ve contributed to causes that make a difference is a prize in itself. Whether someone chooses to play, volunteer, donate, or simply share our story, every contribution brings us closer to creating real, positive change. We want to expand awareness and grow our community of supporters so that we can continue to and help fund the vital work of our partner charities. By allowing us the opportunity to brand with your buses, you will help us reach more people in the local community.
Alzheimer's Society
Submitted by: Georgia Thornton
About Alzheimer's Society: Alzheimer’s Society has been working towards a better world for everyone affected by dementia. We’re the UK’s leading dementia charity, and our expertise means that we’re equipped to deliver meaningful change for people affected by dementia. We’re there for people from day one, giving them the information and support they need to get a diagnosis, and adjust to life with dementia. Critically, we campaign for the rights of people affected by dementia. Whether this is for social care reform, greater investment in research, or to improve diagnosis, all of our influencing efforts are designed to amplify the voices of people affected by dementia. We invest in research that could lead to new treatments, better ways of caring for people with dementia, and innovations that will help people stay independent for longer. In the last year alone we’ve seen two potential treatments that could slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Website: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? Not only is Dementia now the UK’s biggest killer but Dementia is also the biggest health and social care challenge we face today. To bring about change we must win hearts and minds, and we do this through our influencing work. Branding a bus would help to support us in this work by bringing awareness and reach more people. In England alone there are an estimated 250,000 people living without a dementia diagnosis. Even after diagnosis, 61% of people affected by dementia said they did not feel supported by health and social care services to manage the condition. With the awareness from branding a bus, we will make sure everyone affected by dementia has somewhere to turn for reliable information, practical support and real understanding. We believe that this huge opportunity of awareness and influencing will be beneficial for the local community reminding them of the support available such as our Signing for the Brain, Carer Support Groups and Dementia Support services which are free services accessible to the public. Branding a Bus would also bring the chance to approach the stigma of dementia and give us the opportunity to spread dementia friendly awareness within the community. We do this currently through our Dementia Friends Information sessions which is also free to the public but branding a bus could allow us to achieve this on a larger scale and reaching more people every day. Overall, this incredible opportunity to work together has the chance to make dementia the priority it should be. The time for dementia is now.
Buckinghamshire Music Trust
Submitted by: Paul Guenault
About Buckinghamshire Music Trust: Buckinghamshire Music Trust inspires exciting, meaningful and engaging musical experiences and high quality, empowering opportunities for every child in the county. We include all abilities, talents, genres and forms of music, in all types of school, in music centres and in community settings, regardless of background, context, and geography. Our activities include individual lessons, in-school classes, music centre ensembles, high-level county-wide groups, large performances for schools and centres (including at the Royal Albert Hall). We are a charity and as such a non-profit organisation seeking to realise our goals by using as much revenue as we can raise to impact on the young musicians of Buckinghamshire. All children, all music, all settings.
Website: https://www.bucksmusic.org
What would branding a bus mean to your organisation? Our mission is to provide equitable opportunity for all children and young people in Bucks to engage in musical learning. We do this by running 3 music centres (High Wycombe, Aylesbury and Amersham) and having 95 teachers working in schools and community settings, engaged in a wide range of musical activities and providing schools and teachers with support and training. One of our key challenges is to ensure that parents and young people know that we are here and they can choose to join in with what we do. We still encounter many people who believe that our provision is still part of local government and do not understand that as an independent charity we have to fund everything that we do. Therefore, raising awareness, both of what we do and how to access it and of the support we need to continue to make these great opportunities possible, is absolutely essential to ensure that children can find the provision that they want and need. The visibility of branding a bus would be a fantastic way of promoting to children, parents and possible sponsors in the county. We provide a range of subsidies to low income families and siblings that try to ensure that everyone can access music, but this comes at an increasing cost and so we need to try to attract individual donors and corporate sponsors and we believe that this sort of visibility and promotion would be hugely beneficial in pursuing our charitable goals.