An Open Letter From… A Street Pastor This Christmas

With the festivities in full swing, the coordinator of a local Street Pastors scheme has an important message for those out enjoying themselves in town centres over the Christmas period. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I’ve been the coordinator for the Blackwood Street Pastors scheme for seven years. The role of a Street Pastor is a voluntary one, with our aim being to help Blackwood be a happy and safe place to enjoy a night out. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A typical night involves a small team of Street Pastors, out on the streets of Blackwood, where we work to complement the work of the police and others during our 10pm until 2.30am shift. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

We find ourselves out in all weathers and temperatures, especially at this time of the year, which can certainly be challenging but also fun too. We give out lollipops, flip-flops and water, and can give a small amount of first aid when we need to. More often than not though, our role is to help make sure people who’ve been enjoying themselves in the town get home safely – and staying with young women if they have become separated from friends until their taxi arrives. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

We usually have a really enjoyable time over the Christmas period – we give out Santa hats as well as our usual lollipops which generally helps create a very positive atmosphere on the high street, and most people remain in good spirits throughout the night. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Despite this though, too many people still put themselves at risk by becoming isolated and drink too much on a night out. My plea to people out enjoying the festivities this Christmas would be to always make sure you have a plan to get home safely and stick with your friends”. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​