A vulnerable young woman, intoxicated and with no support on a night out in Stirling is repeatedly pursued by a group of men.
Intentions are unknown but the outcome could have been different had it not been for the city’s street pastors.
“We managed to help her sober up and get a lift home, and at the same time were able to subtly separate her from the young lads who were trying to take advantage,” said Russell Boyd, Street Pastors coordinator.
“That’s just one example, there are so many other people who really need help, sometimes just a chat to help with their mental health, or to let them open up about serious events in their lives.
“We always try to signpost to extra help if needed.”
As they continue their vital work over the festive season, the team have been boosted as more volunteers have become Street Pastors in Stirling this year.
Nine new recruits have been trained taking the total number to 29.
That means a patrol can go out almost every Friday and Saturday evening in town from 10pm to 4am, and every Friday lunchtime on the Stirling University campus.
Street Pastors are Christian volunteers from different churches who care about the safety and wellbeing of their community.
They are known for being a peaceful and practical help on the night-time streets at the weekend and on the university campus on Friday lunchtimes.
They are an approachable and non-judgemental team looking after anyone who is in need of support, uniquely identifiable by their uniforms, caps and bags with supplies like water, coffee, emergency blankets, first aid, lollipops and flip-flops.
The new Street Pastors were commissioned by Chris Jewell, the CEO of the organisation Ascension Trust Scotland which oversees the work of Street Pastors all over Scotland, and joined by leaders of their own churches.
Currently, volunteers come from a total of 17 different churches of many different denominations, both Protestant and Catholic, in a great example of unity of purpose across Stirling and the surrounding area.
Lord Provost Elaine Watterson said at a service welcoming new recruits recently: “We appreciate the invaluable work of the Stirling Street Pastors and this was recognised in 2018 when they were named as the Provost’s Charity of the Year.
“We know how much their kindness and practical help benefits people, who are often vulnerable, when they’re on the streets late at night.
“The partnership approach of the Stirling Street Pastors with the council and other organisations really does help improve the safety and wellbeing of people, especially in and around the city centre.
“It is also a wonderful example of how our different churches, of all Christian faiths, come together to offer care and support in the local community, without judgement.”
The police also support the work of the Street Pastors. Inspector Steven McCooey said: “Stirling Street Pastors are an integral part of deployments in and around Stirling city centre, and are a massive benefit to the community as a whole.
“They can be relied on to seek out and help those who are in need of care or reassurance when they are at their most vulnerable.
“The level of care and compassion they provide is a true reflection of their desire to help others around them. The work they conduct along with officers and partner organisations, strives to make Stirling a safer place.”
Stirling Street Pastors has three foundations: Volunteers, Finance and Prayer. They are always looking for more volunteers from churches to ensure this valuable service can continue.
The organisation does need finance and donations or grants to operate as a charity, and as a Christian group it relies on prayer. You can get involved in any of those three ways to support them. Training for new volunteers starts in February next year so get in touch now if you are interested.
Chris Whitehead, chair of the board, said: “It’s an incredible privilege to patrol the campus and the streets of Stirling every Friday and Saturday night.
“As an initiative, we have been patrolling for the last 15 years and have built a great relationship of trust with those we meet.
“It’s great to work with other organisations to help keep the streets and the campus safe. I would like to thank all the Street Pastors, Prayer Partners, supporters and churches who work together and so generously give of their time to ensure our valuable service continues.”