Winchester’s Street Pastors were joined by their local MP, Steve Brine, for a stint during one of their regular Friday night patrols around the city centre.
Street Pastors are a regular sight on weekends with teams spread out over 250 towns and cities across the UK, with volunteers drawn from local churches. Teams seek to offer reassurance, safety and support, by caring, listening and helping where possible.
The Street Pastors rely on close relationships with emergence services, management and staff of licensed venues, door staff and other workers of the night-time economy.
Steve Brine was invited to shadow on such patrol on Friday 6th May, along with Rev’d Marcus Dickinson, Minister of Winchester Baptist Church and chair of Winchester Street Pastors. After joining the team for a night the MP said; “It was a pleasure to join this, very special, set of volunteers from the Winchester Street Pastors on patrol in the city centre. Hard to over-state the calming presence they can have and the quiet acts of kindness.”
“Everyone out in town, or those who have kids out in town, should be very pleased they’re around.”
Rev’d Dickinson added; “Seeing first-hand the important work that our city centre Street Pastors do and the way in which they engage with people from all walks of life is such an inspiration. Their work makes a real difference to the atmosphere and experience of those who are on a night out in our city.”
The Winchester Street Pastors are always looking out for more volunteers to be involved, along with support and funding to assist them in their work. To learn more and find out how you can get involved visit https://www.streetpastors.org/ or contact Mark on [email protected]
Pictured; Steve Brine MP, Rev’d Marcus Dickinson with Street Pastors; Lin Brewer, Peter Booth and Luke Birmingham
