The new Street Pastors group, which is currently in the process of setting up and training teams of volunteers, will be holding their commissioning service here at Holy Trinity Church on Friday 23rd September at 7.00pm
Street pastors are trained volunteers from local churches who care about their community.
They patrol in teams of men and women, usually from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. on a Friday and Saturday night, to care for, listen to and help people who are out on the streets.
A street pastor is someone who is…
- a Christian and is part of a local church;
- concerned for society and their local community;
- willing to engage with people, whatever their perspective on life and wherever they hang out;
- happy to work in a team and in collaboration with other agencies and projects, both statutory and voluntary.
The scheme, which is in operation throughout the UK, was launched in Warrington in July with the backing of the Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs, Cheshire Police and Warrington Borough Council.
The street pastors aim is to show the love of God to people in a practical way and to reduce crime during busy evenings in Warrington Town Centre “This may be by just giving a pair of flip flops to a young woman who has broken the heel of her shoe, a bottle of water, calling parents, getting a taxi, diffusing a delicate situation or if necessary calling the emergency services.”
Each volunteer must agree to undergo training which is typically run by the police and the council.
Volunteers must be 18 or over, be committed to the Christian fellowship for more than a year and complete a DBS check.
Street Pastors will be issued with a coat, shirt and cap so they can be identified by members of the public.