First Guests Welcomed As Safe Sleep Service Launches In Mackay

After years of planning from a dedicated team, the Chances Night Bus is in operation. Photo supplied.

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Safe Sleep Mackay, together with operating partner Chances House, has announced a major milestone for the region, with the first Safe Sleeps successfully delivered on last Friday night.

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Two guests were welcomed aboard the Chances Night Bus, marking the beginning of a new chapter in providing dignity, safety and support for people experiencing homelessness in Mackay.

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After a three-and-a-half-year journey of planning, fundraising and community collaboration, the service has officially become a reality—an achievement organisers say belongs to the entire Mackay community.

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Safe Sleep Mackay spokesperson Lisa Jamieson said the first night highlighted the importance of the service and the impact it can have on those in need.

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“The look on our guests’ faces the next morning said everything. It made every challenge, every delay, and every bit of hard work over the past three and a half years completely worth it.”

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Safe Sleep Mackay extended its heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to bringing the project to life.

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“We were only a handful of volunteers steering this project over the last three and half years but we felt the support of the Mackay community every step of the way. Through community donations, small business services offering in-kind support, and the contributions from community members, it kept us going and this is an achievement that belongs to the whole community,” Ms Jamieson said.

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The Safe Sleep Bus, operated by Chances House as its Night Bus service, will return to operation on Friday, 12th June, with plans to establish a regular service. Initial operations will focus on volunteer training and refining procedures, with the goal of expanding to weekly Friday night services as more volunteers come on board.

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Chances House CEO Kayleigh Brewster said the organisation was proud to be delivering a service that responds to growing community need.

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“We are extremely proud to be operating this service for our community as every day we see an increase in people in need,” she said.

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“This type of service has never operated in Mackay before, so we have proceeded cautiously making sure we have the correct procedures in place to ensure the safety of our guests, our volunteers, and the community. The service will start operating weekly every Friday night and if demand is there and more volunteers come on board, we will look at increasing the number of nights of operation.”

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Community members are encouraged to continue supporting the initiative through volunteering, donations or by helping raise awareness. More information about volunteering is available at www.chancesmackay.org/ssm.

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“Although it has taken us three and a half years to reach this point, this really is just the beginning. Together, we are creating safer nights and brighter mornings for those doing it tough in our community,” Ms Jamieson said.

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