Street Pastors Gains International Status! Find out more!..
Following the release of Bath Street Pastors Annual Report, Co-ordinator Paul Bright tells us why the organisation taking care of the city's vulnerable youngsters each weekend is spreading internationally. He also appeals for more volunteer Street Pastors to observe and join this organisation, working with the police in the city.
Could you become part of this invaluable team?
(PICTURES: PAUL BRIGHT (R), VULNERABLE FEMALE)
So Street Pastors is now an international organisation - how did this come about?
Since it's beginning in 2003 Street Pastors has grown rapidly. There are now over 150 Street Pastor projects around the United Kingdom, and several further afield in Antigua (West Indies), Jersey (The Channel Islands) and Manly in Australia, really as a result of interest and connections in each country.
How do you feel now it is international?
Very pleased that this ministry is being adopted overseas, early days yet but i am sure it will continue to catch on as the church makes a difference for good in communities
Taking a look at the annual report for Street Pastors - it is full of commendations from other agencies in the city like the street marshals, who are out on a Friday/Saturday night!.. How did that make you feel to read those comments?
Very pleased to have acceptance by other agenices and recognition of the part we are playing towards community safety around the night time economy.
In fact we have just received the following comments to our annual report from Superintendent Geoff Spicer, District Commander of B&NES Police;
'Thank you for sharing the content of the Annual Report with me. I am delighted to see that you are still providing and leading such exceptional pastoral care to the City of Bath. Can you please pass on my continuing thanks and appreciation for the hard-work and dedication of your team.'
Have SP spent time building up great relations with those other bodies/agencies?
Yes through week in week out interaction.
What are SP looking to achieve in 2012?
Continue to provide Friday and Saturday night patrols and we are always on the lookout for new recruits to top up our numbers- just contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it y our coordinator and come out as an observer.
What have been the most common situations SP have to deal with?
Lone drunken males and females needing some time and care to help sober up sufficiently to take a taxi home.