Pastors Get StreetwiseIntroduction(Article date: October 2, 2009) Sitting with a woman waiting alone for a taxi or helping people who've had a little too much too drink are among the varied ways in which Hertford and Ware's new street pastors could be supporting vulnerable young people from autumn. The street pastors, from churches in Hertford and Ware, will be out on our streets in the evenings, listening to young people and helping them when needed. The scheme is backed by the Community Safety Partnership, to which East Herts Council and the police, belong. The partnership is a major funder for the training for the volunteer street pastors and a coordinator – the only paid role. Councillor Malcolm Alexander (Ware Trinity) gave his £250 councillor grant to the scheme as well. There are already 100 teams around the UK and they have seen a drop in crime in areas where the teams are active. "A street pastor might stay with a young person waiting at a bus stop or for a taxi late at night," explained Hertford and Ware coordinator Rick Hartwig. "Or they might lend an ear if someone wants to talk. Sometimes just being there is enough. "In London a team got a lovely thank you letter from two girls who wrote 'I just want to say a big thank you from myself and my best friend to the 2 men and lady that gave us some flip flops. I think it is a great idea and very handy as we would both had been walking without shoes otherwise. I wish there were more people like them on the streets.'" Councillor Alexander, East Herts Council's Executive member for community safety and protection, said: "This is a very valuable scheme that will help to make our streets safer for young people after dark. That will in turn benefit everyone who's enjoying an evening out in our towns. I'm delighted that the Community Safety Partnership is supporting it and I was pleased to lend my personal support too." The Hertford and Ware volunteers have trained in drug and alcohol awareness, youth culture, the role of the police and mental health, among other issues. The volunteers go out on the streets for the first time on Friday October 2, after their commissioning service at Christ Church, to which everyone is welcome. |
I want to... |