The Van

Mid May marked a huge milestone for us at The Plate of Hope — after a full year of fundraising through car boot sales, community efforts, and sheer determination, we finally purchased our van.

It hasn’t been easy. We’ve been raising funds at a time when very few people have disposable income, which makes what’s happened even more powerful. The generosity, kindness, and support we’ve received from people has honestly been overwhelming — and we don’t take a single bit of it for granted.

The van itself is an ex-17 seater minibus. It’s not brand new, but it’s been well looked after, and it gives us a solid foundation to build something really special. That said… the conversion ahead is a monumental job. There’s a lot to do, and the costs of parts are high. Even so, we’ve already made strong progress — we’ve purchased the solar panels, and through a mix of donations and careful buying, we’ve managed to gather around 60% of what we need for the interior.

Its questionable design is on purpose, originally created by ChatGPT we are now bringing that design to life. Suicide is a topic that is taboo, people shy away from discussing it and getting the support they need. We wanted it to be so brash, outlandish and in your face that you could see it from the moon! 

It is painted in the colours of suicide awareness which are purple and teal, as we are wrapping it ourselves we opted for small squares which are easier to apply to avoid creases and air bubbles,. Locally in Lyme Regis it is already being called the minecraft bus which we absolutley love :) 

This van isn’t just a vehicle — it has a job to do. It will allow us to go directly to the places where people in crisis often find themselves, meeting them where they are. Whether it’s offering a hot meal, a conversation, or simply being there to listen, we want to create a space where people feel seen, heard, and supported. We’ll also be able to help signpost people to the right services when they need more support.

We are fully committed to getting this van on the road as quickly as possible. Every day matters, and every conversation we can have could make a difference.

Click the gallery link to se e our progress.

💜 We do need your help.
If you’re able to contribute in any way — whether that’s your time, skills, or resources — we’d love to hear from you. We’re especially looking for support with materials and parts for the interior build, as these costs add up quickly. Even the smallest contribution can make a real difference to getting this project moving faster.

🤝 Calling on businesses and sponsors
If you’re a company that would like to support a grassroots project making a real difference, we’d love to partner with you. In return, we can feature your business in our build journey through videos and updates, and offer visibility through branding on the van itself as it travels and reaches communities. It’s a chance to be part of something meaningful while showing your support for mental health and community care.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far — you’re a part of this journey whether you realise it or not. 💜