The Magazine

I make a mental note of the ‘atmosphere’ and arrive at Chantry House with a few others. Tonight we are just a few of the volunteers who have committed to being part of the City Pastors – a group who support and help vulnerable people who are out on Saturday evenings.

There are usually seven of us. We review anything which might impact on the evening, such as concerts or sporting events. Then we pray about the night ahead, sharing bread and wine together. This helps to ground what we do within the Christian faith which connects us all.

It’s time to check the rucksacks: water, flip-flops and vomit bags. Finally, on go our identifying waistcoats and hats. We divide up the team roles – leader, data collector, phone person, rucksack carrier! All done – Prayer Pastors ready with map, phone, paper and pens in order to continually pray, and we’re off.

We meet all sorts of folk, many of whom stop to chat to find out what we are doing or simply say “Thank you, you do a great job“. It’s getting busy along Prince of Wales Road and the Door Staff let us know how the night is so far.

About every 15 minutes we phone the prayer pastors to let them know where we are and what’s happening so they can pray into the situations which arise. The Police register our presence and update us too. We roam the side streets where it is quieter and find a chap who is lost.

We walk with him back to a place he recognises. He’s grateful and assures us he will be alright now.

We see a young girl sitting at the side of the road, head in hands and extremely ‘wobbly’. A couple of us introduce ourselves and gently find out what’s going on. She’s lost contact with her friends and simply wants to go home. We manage to contact a parent on her phone and organise for her to be collected at Safe Haven, another support service housed at the top of Prince of Wales Road. We help the girl to the cabin where she can keep safe, warm and dry while she waits. We’re more effective working together with other support groups.

About 12.30am we return to base for a rejuvenating cuppa and biscuits then head out again. Our brief is not to preach or convert, simply to help vulnerable folk in whatever way we can. We pick up cans and bottles to prevent these becoming weapons in an escalating argument. Some of our work is preventative, yet very simple.

After passing on some flip-flops to someone obviously struggling in heels and offering reviving water to others, we head back around 4am, and after a quick debrief we say our tired goodbyes. On my way home I reflect on the evening’s encounters and realise that I am enriched even though weary.

Want to volunteer or find out more? Contact the Revd Deb Cousins at qro@afchx.bet or call 01603 738329.