Since 2009 when Stafford Street Pastors started there have been over 60 volunteers from about 15 churches in Stafford and the surrounding area.
At present we have 13 active Street Pastors as due to illness there are several who are not able to go out on duty at present.
A Team of 3 Street Pastors go out on duty every Saturday night and when it is possible, we also have a team out on Friday nights too.
From 10.30pm the Team will take time to walk around, visiting the many different venues around the Town Centre, catching up with the Staff and Door Staff and greeting those in town for a night out.
Since September 2022, we have parked our Safe Space Vehicle on the Bridge in Bridge Street, which makes it clearly visible from the majority of venues. The Team work from the Bus, making hot drinks for those who need them, providing a warm Safe Space if needed and stocking up on resources given out during the evening.
The Team Leader writes a Report after the duty, summarising what has happened and detailing resources given out and cans, bottles and glasses picked up. The reports are sent to the Coordinator who collates them each month and forwards them to the Police and various departments of the Local Authority. This makes sure all parties are aware of the needs of the Night-time economy and the ways in which these are being met. A real demonstration of the original vision Les Isaacs had for Street Pastors, working in an ‘Urban Trinity’ of Church, Police and Local authority, to keep the community safe.