Our mission statement
“To show the love of Jesus in the city and university campus at night and during the day, by caring for, listening to and helping the people we meet. We do this by training and equipping our Christian volunteers and working in partnership with the police, local council and other organisations.”
Care, Listen and Help
Street Pastors are Christian volunteers from different churches who care about the safety and wellbeing of their community. We are known for being a peaceful and practical help on the night time streets at the weekend and on the university campus on Friday lunchtimes. We are an approachable and non-judgemental team looking after anyone who is in need of support, uniquely identifiable by our uniforms, our caps and our bags.
Working together with the Council, Police, local pubs and clubs and the university we practically help vulnerable people who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or homeless, or disorientated by mental illness, or young or lost or lonely. We help people by giving guidance and signposting to other available support services.
When the public come into contact with Street Pastors, we can provide safety for vulnerable persons which includes:
- handing out foil blankets to people who are exposed to the changing environment/weather
- giving out coffee or water and lollipops for energy
- handing out flip flops to people who have taken their shoes off to reduce injury
- picking up glass bottles
- responding to requests from the Police, or night time economy staff for our help with disorientated people
- being present at potential conflicts to reduce and prevent violence
- providing first aid where necessary and waiting for emergency services to arrive
- liaising with friends or family for safe meeting points or helping with taxis for those unable to get home unassisted
Our work formally began on the 27th March 2009 and Stirling Street Pastors continues to grow – both on the streets in the frontline work we do, as well as strategically as we build relationships with other organisations and groups within the city.