A GROUP that patrols the late night streets of Reading celebrates its work and volunteers on Saturday.
For 15 years Reading Street Pastors have given out flip flops to people whose party feet need a rest, provided shoulders to cry on, helped stranded youngsters to get home, and arranged medical assistance when nights out went wrong.
One of the organisation’s busiest times of year is late August, when Reading Festival descends on the town, but they patrol the streets throughout the year.
At a church service this weekend they will be reflecting on their work, and the work of sister organisation First Stop Reading, as well as commissioning new volunteers and giving out awards.
Sally Leonard heads Reading Street Pastors.
She said: “As well as taking time to look back on 15 years of Reading Street Pastors, we’re also celebrating 10 years of First Stop, which began as a double decker bus in Broad Street.
“Last October they were able to move into new premises at Reading Safe Space next to Bill’s Restaurant, where people can receive medical first aid instead of being sent to an already overburdened accident and emergency hospital department.
“There, paramedics and volunteers provide care, including stitching, if necessary.”
Reading Street Pastors, and First Stop work in parallel, and both will celebrate at the service whose master of ceremonies will be television presenter and journalist Matt Allwright.
Reading mayor, Tony Paige will give out 10 year service awards to First Stop volunteers, and Alan Magness, founder of Reading Street Pastors, will be recognising volunteers who have given 10 years of service to Reading Street Pastors.
“And we’ll be hearing from long term volunteers and recent recruits about their experiences with us, and are delighted to be able to commission 12 new First Stop volunteers, who have completed their training” said Ms Leonard.
Bejoy Pal, CEO of Ascension Trust will also speak.
Street pastors are trained volunteers from local churches, who usually patrol from 10:30pm until 3am every Friday and Saturday night to care, listen, and help people in the Reading town centre.
Since 2012 they have been invited inside Reading Festival, where their tents are open round the clock throughout the event, for access to a quiet space, refreshments and a chat.
In partnership with the local police, they help at night during the Henley Regatta, and with Windsor Street Angels at Royal Ascot.
During Freshers’ Week they support new University of Reading students, and for the past five years, they have provided a team of daytime Rail Pastors to support passengers at local train stations.
“There’s always a need for new volunteers, and we’d love to hear from people,” said Ms Leonard.
“We especially need prayer partners, and First Stop volunteers.”
All are welcome to the service, which takes place at Grey Friars Church, 1 Friar Street, Reading, on Saturday, May 11 at 7pm.
For more information, visit: www.streetpastors.org, find Reading Street Pastors on Facebook, or First Stop Reading’s Facebook page.
To volunteer, call: 07970 710080.
