Whitstable Street Pastors started up in Summer of 2012.
Where do you operate?
Whitstable Street Pastors meet at St John’s Methodist Church on Argyle Road, Whitstable, The prayer teams remain at the churches throughout the evening while the teams go out on patrol in the town centre and the seafront in Whitstable. The patrols in both return to the churches during the course of the evening for refreshments.
What time commitment do you need from me?
Rostering is done in 3-month blocks and we operate a swap system amongst the team, via WhatsApp, to allow flexibility if you’re availability changes.
How fit do I need to be?
To go on patrol, you will need to be reasonably fit as you will be walking for 3-4 hours, with stops to talk to people in the town as you go. You also need to be able to negotiate steps and uneven ground. However, patrolling is not about speed or distance and these will vary depending on the team members, the prevailing weather conditions and the number of people around.
Will I have to deal with First Aid incidents?
Yes, and as part of the training you will attend a First Aid course (unless you already have a First Aid certificate).
Do I get a uniform?
For the patrol teams, we provide a winter waterproof jacket, an autumn fleece showerproof jacket, a winter weatherproof hat, a baseball cap and a top. You can wear whatever you like on your lower half and you will need to wear shoes which are comfortable for walking.
How many people go out on patrol?
We never operate with less than 3 people and we aim for 4 or 5. You will always be teamed up with an experienced Senior Street Pastor. No one patrols alone or gets separated from the team.
What training do I get and how much will it cost me?
There is a comprehensive training package, for patrol members, that is paid for by Street Pastors.
The key training module is called Roles and Responsibilities, which is a face to face, one day module held in Maidstone 2- 3 times a year.
You will also need to complete 3 of the following modules before you can go out on patrol, and ideally all of them in the first year or so. Don’t be daunted by the list, it’s engaging and relevant to everyday life as well as your time out on patrol with Street Pastors
· Domestic Violence
· First Aid; face to face module held in Maidstone
· Good News; 2 modules
· Homelessness
· Knowing Your Community
· Listening Skills
· Mental Health
· Police
· Prayer
· Safeguarding
· Youth