Luton's new late-night street pastors who patrol the town centre to help anyone in need.
The scheme involves street pastors who are specially trained Christian volunteers from local churches acting as Good Samaritans in the town centre, particularly towards the young and vulnerable. The scheme operates on Fridays and/or Saturdays from 10pm to 4am.
Street pastors are on hand for advice and support as well as helping keep local people safe. They benefit both individuals and our community by putting a much needed extra resource on the ground.
Street pastors' core values are:
- the sacredness and sanctity of human life
- valuing and honouring the community
- being a person of integrity
- taking personal responsibility
- growth and development of the individual to their fullest potential.
Every volunteer has received an intensive 12 session training programme involving sociology, knowing your community, drug and alcohol awareness and youth culture, with special training from practitioners in probation, police, children's services and mental health. Although an awareness of these issues is helpful, street pastors are certainly not experts and they will not be acting as counsellors. However they will offer a listening ear and a signpost to expert agencies if necessary.
More information on Luton's street pastors