We're here to pick up the pieces - street pastors

BBC PC Ash Doignie standing with Telford Street Pastors Chris Hill, Simon Trotman and Julie Rotherham outside a police van in Southwater, Telford.  The police van will be used to support people on a night out.BBC
PC Ash Doignie (L), street pastor Chris Hill (C), Simon Trotman and Julie Rotherham in Southwater, Telford.

As people across Telford and Wrekin get ready to party this festive season, West Mercia Police and St Johns Ambulance will be working alongside street pastors in town centres to help keep revellers safe.

Pastors are regularly out armed with battery packs to help those whose phone has no charge, cups of tea and flip flops for when it is no longer an option to walk in high heels.

The team have been supporting rough sleepers and those in need in the borough for 13 years.

PC Ash Doignie, who works in the safer neighbourhood team, explained it is about "more visibility, more presence and more officers and PCSOs in hot spots".

Lara Smith and Imogen Hanna, both 18, who were on a night out in Southwater, said they instantly recognised the street pastors.

Lara said: "It makes us feel more safer because you have that support there if you need it.

"You see them in blue or with high-vis and you just know that they're there."

18-year-old friends Lara Smith and Imogen Hanna sitting together on a bench at Southwater. One of the teenagers has a lollipop in their mouth which was handed to her by the street pastors.
Friends Lara Smith and Imogen Hanna on a night out in Telford

Julie Rotherham has been a street pastor for 13 years and regularly experiences gratitude from people.

"It just amazes me, the people who come up to you.

"Sometimes they hug you, sometimes people will tell you how you helped them when they were suicidal a few years ago and a pastor talked them out of it, and it's fantastic."

The street pastors are always ready with a flask of hot tea and biscuits to offer to anyone in need.

Lee, 41, rough sleeper in Telford, said he tried to earn £35 a day busking which would allow him to stay in a bed and breakfast.

He said he would not have anywhere to stay for Christmas and welcomed meeting the street pastors.

"It helps with a hot drink, especially on a cold night... it is appreciated."

Rough sleeper Lee, who the street pastor team met at Southwater.  Lee is sitting on the ground holding a cup of tea and is leaning against a fence.  He's wearing a thick coat and fleece along with a hat.  He has a plastic bag of belongings sat beside him.
Lee, 41, rough sleeper at Southwater who received a hot drink and a packet of biscuits from the street pastors.

Chris Hill is another volunteer street pastor in the borough and said it was generally younger people who they helped.

"The issue tends to be they've got no charge on their phones or they have had an argument with their partner or boyfriend and they can't get back.

"A lot of the time, people just want someone to talk to, you know it is just a shoulder to cry on at three o'clock in the morning.

"We pick up the pieces really, that's what we are there for."

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