Street Pastors will be on the streets between 10pm & 4am on Friday & Saturday nights to offer help and support to anyone who is unwell or vulnerable or in any form of difficulty or trouble – whether they’ve had an upset, lost their friends, are feeling the cold, need flip-flops, need help to get home safely or just want to talk to somebody.

Going out on the town is good fun, but it’s also important for people to ensure they can get home safely, so here is some helpful advice.

The top tips are:

• People should eat before they go out to reduce the impact of alcohol & make arrangements on getting home in advance.

• Decide your limit in advance – and stick to it

• Avoid Rounds – round buying often means people drink more

• Pace yourself – slow down and take smaller sips, choose smaller measures or drink water or soft drinks between alcoholic drinks

• Know what you’re drinking – stronger drinks or larger pub measures can make keeping track of your intake difficult

• Go for less alcoholic longer drinks – top up spirits with more mixer, drink spritzers or choose shandy rather than beer

• Beware of spiking – do not leave your drink unattended

• Say no to top ups – a repeatedly re-filled glass makes keeping track of your intake difficult

• Never drink and drive – leave the car at home or make sure you have a designated driver

And to keep yourself safe when you leave the bar:

• Keep with your friends and don’t walk home alone – get a taxi

• Keep warm – take a coat, party clothes are not the ideal outfit for waiting in line for a taxi on a freezing night

• Look after each other – make sure no-one gets isolated from the group particularly if they have been drinking heavily

“The Street Pastors will be ready to help anyone who needs support, advice or just a listening ear, without discrimination or judgment, working to ensure people get along, get home safely, and keep safe while out and about in Barnsley.”