Oldham South
Welcome
“Street Pastors is about Christians rolling up their sleeves and getting involved in practically responding to the problems of crime and safety. They are like beacons on our streets and I want to see them shining brightly in every constituency.”
David Burrowes, Patron of Ascension Trust
Oldham South Street Pastors have been in operation since 2008. We operate both a Hollinwood Team and a Chadderton Team.
The Hollinwood Team is out every Saturday night from 7.30pm until around midnight.
We have been a familiar presence in the Hollins and Limehurst districts of Oldham since 2008, which at that time were facing problems of antisocial behaviour and youth disturbance. Initial hostility quickly turned to hospitality from the young people in the area and the Street Pastors were able to bring a positive influence that has affected the whole community. In 2011 we responded to a request from our unban trinity partners in the neighbourhood police team and local authority to extend our area to include the centre of Failsworth where a new 24hr supermarket and fast food outlet were attracting large numbers of young people. Here too we have been able to build up relationships of trust and acceptance amongst the young people and also regularly visit the local businesses in the area.
The Chadderton Team is out every Friday night from 7.30pm until around midnight.
Based in the central and south Chadderton neighbourhoods of Oldham since 2010, when the area was facing problems from large numbers of youths who were gathering within the area. The non-confrontational and non-judgmental approach of the Street Pastors soon gained their respect and acceptance. As we engage with the young people we are frequently asked “What is a Street Pastor?” followed by “Do you get paid?” When we explain who we are and why we are there, we are usually warmly received and can begin to get to know them. Having become established in the locality, the team is now seeking ways of developing its work and looking at the possibility of a late afternoon team to go out into the local shopping centre and when the streets are busy with pupils from local schools.