Guardian angels take to the streets (From Swindon Advertiser)

Guardian angels take to the streets

9:00pm Sunday 20th December 2009 in News By Ben Perrin

THE “blue jacketed angels” is how the Swindon Advertiser describes a team of dedicated volunteers who have prevented attempted suicides and helped hundreds of young boozed-up partygoers get home safely after a night out.

It’s all in Friday and Saturday night’s work for the Street Pastors team who are out every week in Swindon.

They also give hot drinks to homeless people, offer a friendly ear or a shoulder to cry on and potentially defuse violent situations.

The Street Pastors, who usually work in teams of four in the town centre, are Christian volunteers from various churches across Swindon.

They are not on the street to preach, but to show the love of Jesus in a practical way. They work independently, with the full support of Swindon Council and Wiltshire Police.

They are on patrol between 10pm and 4am on the two busiest nights of the week for Swindon’s pubs, bars and clubs.

Mum-of-two Jo Heaven, 46, from Old Town, has been a Street Pastor for the last two years.

“We can deal with anything from homeless people, supporting a girl who has just broken up with her boyfriend to a boy who has just had a fight,” said Jo, who attends Wroughton Parish Church.

“I’ve lost count on the amount of flip-flops we’ve given out to girls who can no longer walk in their stiletto heels. It’s safer for her to have them rather than go barefoot when she might walk on broken glass.

“I think there was a national shortage of flip-flops at one time after we ordered 3,000 in five months.

“I really love what I do. For me it’s the best way of getting out and doing something. We are there to listen, help and care.”

The pastors are expecting a significantly busy Christmas period with two teams out on New Year’s Eve.

There are currently 30 pastors in the town, with eight more in training ranging in age from the late 20s to 60. Each one goes through a 12-week programme where they are trained to deal with different social situations. All are Criminal Records Bureau checked.

On two different occasions people were talked out of taking their own lives after conversations with the pastors.

“We deal with a lot of people who come out of clubs and collapse,” added Jo, who is a student experience manager for pastoral care at Swindon College in North Star.

“A lot of them are unconscious and we help to look after them, wait with them, give them a bottle of water and make sure they get home safely in a taxi.”

The Street Pastors scheme began two and a half years ago in Swindon, but originally started five years ago in Brixton, South London. To volunteer to become a street pastor call 07806 337 790. For details visit www.streetpastorsswindon.org.uk