THEY have become familiar faces around Newcastle's busiest nightspots.
And now these street corner Samaritans are hoping to take their love for weekend party people further afield . For the past 12 months the Street Pastors have come as a blessing to revellers - providing care and support to the worse for wear in and around the city's pubs and clubs.
Every Friday and Saturday night, the Christian volunteers offer practical help or just a shoulder to cry.
Complete with a rucksack containing flip flops for those who've lost their shoes, bottles of water, hi-energy sweets and a mobile to contact the emergency services, the pastors are ready to deal with a range of booze-related situations.
Project co-ordinator, Sam Douthwaite, said: "I think the response that we have received has been beyond our wildest expectations.
Piaget Replica Watches"When we first went out on the streets, we weren't sure how long it would take to build respect and trust, not just with revellers, but with door staff and police.
"But we now have a fantastic partnership with them, and we are increasingly aware of revellers knowing who we are.
"People now actually approach us not only for the practical help we provide like the flip flops and water that we carry, but also for advice.
"As a Christian organisation going out there, you don't know what you are going to receive, and there are areas in the town where we have had to build bridges.
"I think the approach we have taken in the pastoral role has helped. A couple of weeks ago we had a guy trying to jump off the High Level Bridge, but we managed to talk him down.
"People are starting to understand that we want to help them and love them, not judge or condemn them and that we are not just a bunch of do-gooders."
Chopard Replica WatchesThe project is backed by the Methodist church and talks are now underway to roll the scheme out in Whitley Bay, and Sunderland.
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The pastors are supported by Newcastle City Council and Northumbria Police.
Neighbourhood policing Sgt Claire Lawson, said: "They are a very well organised and enthusiastic group of people.
"They will do whatever they can to help people, and I think their presence on the streets of Newcastle city centre only enhances the place, especially for visitors.
"For people who are here on stag and hen nights and people who have become isolated from their groups, the pastors will stay with them until they calm themselves down and help them find their hotel.
"One year ago that was the sort of thing that was tying up quite a lot of our time and now the pastors will come and sort people out for us."
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PATROLLING THE STREETS: Street Pastor co-ordinator Sam Douthwaite, and pastors Kev Jones and Fiona Holmes talking with a reveller while patrolling the Bigg Market
Other articles:
http://www.myvettepage.com/blog/view/id_87/
http://www.tccls.com/ELEGANT-YET-PRACTICAL-NOTEBOOK.html
