Bridgend Town Centre welcomes Street Pastor Scheme

The scheme is led by HopeBaptistChurch minister Reverend Mark Thomas who became interested in the scheme after hearing of its many successes elsewhere in the country, such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds as well as Wrexham and Weston-Super-Mare. “It was first set up in London by the Ascension Trust as a response to urban problems in January 2003. The trust will be in charge of administering the scheme in Bridgend too”. “Volunteers on the Street Pastor Scheme must be church leaders, ministers or members with a concern for the community and willing to engage with people. Because of the location of my church I often help people into taxis and give them my phone number so if they have the same problems in the morning they can ring me. The volunteers will be able to direct people in need of help to the right agencies”.

Superintendent Tim Jones supported the idea and said it would bring an “exciting opportunity” to Bridgend. “Maybe there are some gaps in the police service that this scheme can fill. There are times when police officers leave a situation with an uneasy feeling where the Street Pastor Scheme could help. If a 15 or 16 year old is sat on a bench late at night they won’t want to talk to a figure of authority but the availability of the pastoral care would be reassuring”.

Rev Thomas said that if the scheme proved a success it could be rolled out to other towns like Maesteg and Porthcawl. Volunteers would be CRB checked and go on a 12 week training course before being allowed on the streets and will be paired up and go out into the streets in teams of 4.

The launch of the scheme took place on Wednesday 21st March at the Council Chamber at Civic Offices and it is hoped that the first volunteers will be on the streets of Bridgend by July 2007.

For further information on the Street Pastor Scheme go to: www.streetpastors.org