The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024.
12th February 2025
We have been presented The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2024.
The Presentation was made by HM Lord Lieutenant Sir Ian Dudson KCVO CBE who was accompanied by Lady Dudson, who were welcomed by Rev. Trevor Partington, Chair of Stafford Street Pastors, who was also pleased to welcome the High Sheriff, Julia Mitchell and her husband Julian Mitchell DL, several other Deputy Lieutenants and the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress Peter and Joy Jones; Bejoy Pal, the CEO of Ascension Trust also came from London to join the celebration.
Stafford Street Pastors, working together with the Local Authority, the Police and the local Venues, reflect the original Street Pastor vision of an ‘Urban Trinity’ to keep the local community safe. This was reflected in the 100 Guests attending on Wednesday night, with many Councillors and other representatives past and present from the Borough Council, the Police and the Nighttime Economy, joining the past and present Street Pastors and Prayer Pastors Jeanne Morris, Stafford Street Pastor Coordinator, commented ‘It was a truly joyous occasion, celebrating our work and more than that – the effect God’s Love and Compassion has on people.
Please see accompanying Photographs, Courtesy of Sam Carpenter Photography:
1 The Stafford Street Pastors receive their award
2 Left to right: Bejoy Pal CEO of Ascension Trust, Julia Mitchell, High Sheriff, LL Police Cadet, Rev Trevor Partington Chair of Stafford Street Pastors, HM LL Sir Ian Dudson KCVO CBE, SGT Claire Goodridge, Julian Mitchell DL, Jeanne Morris Stafford Street Pastor Coordinator.
3 With Deputy Mayor, Peter Jones and Councillors.
4 HM Lord Lieutenant Sir Ian Dudson KCVO CBE greeting the Stafford Street Pastor Management Committee by their Safe Space Van.Left to right: Sheena Davis, Wendy Kerr, Lady Dudson, HM LL Sir Ian Dudson KCVO CBE, Jeanne Morris Coordinator, Rev. Trevor Partington Chair, Bejoy Pal, CEO Ascension Trust, Chris Kirkbride, Maryann Blake
5 Celebration ‘Van’ Cake by ‘Cakes By Max’, Stafford
6 Prayer Pastor Coordinators Chris and Jane Nuttall
Safe Space!
Since September 2022 Stafford Street Pastors have been able to offer a Safe Space for anyone who has become vulnerable during a night out.
The Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, through the Stafford Borough Council, awarded us a grant to buy and convert a minibus, to create this Safe Space. The funds came from a government grant – SWAN Funding (Safer Women at night)
Since 17th September the Safe Space has had many visitors, some just to chat over a hot drink and wait for their lift or Taxi, others to recover before making their journey home and others to wait in a comfortable warm space for an ambulance.
We love being able to provide this resource for those on a night out, but we also love making hot drinks for Doorstaff, the Taxi Marshals, Paramedics or Police.
Street Pastors are on duty on a Friday and Saturday night in Stafford to Care to Listen and to Help; we continue to walk around the town during our duties, looking out for those who might need us and it is great, when needed to be able to welcome those who need support to our Safe Space!