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Update 5.4.12 How to offer or confirm your suppory If you would like to offer your support, and have an opportunity to encourage all concerned, you are welcome to become a member of the Street Pastors– without committing to walk the streets! You would be welcome to attend the 1st ever AGM at Grace Chapel at 7.30pm Thursday 3 May. For an application form to become a supporting member or information on becoming a Street Pastor or Prayer Pastor, please get in touch with Jane Simmonds on 235844 or janesimmonds58@gmail.com Update 4.4.12 On a Thurdsday Our Street Pastors continue to have a presence in Chesterfield town centre on a Saturday evening, relieving some pressure from the police and emergency services. Recently one young man thanked one of the street pastors for saving his life, when she had been first on the scene and acted quickly, helping him through a medical emergency. Weekly, there are many invaluable reports of how valued and well respected our street pastors are becoming. It was suggested that a team went out on a Thursday evening. Whilst providing many opportunities to interact with the public, the evening was nowhere near as busy as a Saturday. For the moment, this will not be a regular monthly commitment, although occasional Thursdays will see the presence of a street pastor team; 26th May being the next programmed Thursday. Update 27.1.12 Would you like to be a Street Pastor? If you are please find out more and get an application form here Update 27.1.12 Being a Street Pastor Helen Atkins, a member of St Thomas', tells Ruth Turner and the 11am Sunday congregation about being a Street Pastor. Listen here Update 19.1.12 Fall in violent crime We have been made aware that the incidence of violent crime in the town centre over the Christmas period revealed a reduction of approximately 50% over Christmas 2010. Whilst there will have been other contributory factors such as the economy, the police and ambulance operation etc, Street Pastors are credited with making a substantial contribution to this reduction. Other than the month of November, each month when we have been operating also revealed a similar drop in violent crime over the previous year. We think that November may be an exception because of the snow that we experienced during November 2010 keeping people off the street. One quote was "You bring a calming influence on the streets." Lets pray that this reduction in violent crime continues. Update 15.1.12 Street Pastors' Prayer Living God, We praise you for the vision that gave birth to Street Pastors and for every life that has been touched through this movement of your Spirit. We thank you for every Street Pastor and we pray for them as they share Your love with others:
Update 20.12.11 from Jane Simmonds -Street Pastors at Christmas Over the festive season Chesterfield Street Pastors are adding Friday nights to their regular Saturday night 10pm to 4am duties in the Late Night Entertainment Area of Chesterfield and they aim to continue to deliver their threefold mission; to help, care and listen as a practical expression of their Christian faith. Another seven members are currently being trained to add to the twenty active Street Pastors who already provide the service. They come from a wide range of churches in Chesterfield and the surrounding district and undertake at least one night per month. Street Pastors are supported by a team of Prayer Pastors who may not feel up to going out on patrol but wish to part of this important community service. Being a Street Pastor is catching on as a married couple activity with the original husband and wife partnership being increased by two more when the current training programme has been completed. The statistics for activities undertaken during the first four months of patrols include the following: Over 600 bottles and glasses collected from the streets thereby reducing the risk of injury 150 pairs of flip-flops provided to ladies who can no longer walk on their high-heel shoes At least 100 bottles of water supplied to people who were suffering from sickness or dehydration Basic first aid provided to approximately 100 people At least 500 lollipops issued Street Pastors report that their initial fears about the reaction of people on the streets have been replaced by joyful confidence in the friendly and appreciative reaction to them. John Bown, the Coordinator reports “Every time we are out on patrol we receive numerous unsolicited comments about the service we provide. Often this is from folk we helped previously or who know someone who received our service”. Typically Street Pastors attend to the needs of people who are drunk, cleaning them up and ensuring that they get home safely, where otherwise they would be very vulnerable. The statutory agencies have little time to provide this level of service because of the time required to wait with someone whilst a mother or father comes to pick them up, often as much as 30 minutes or more. Many of these people would previously have been taken to hospital in an ambulance at considerable cost to the health services. There are many examples of good humour on the streets as in the case where Street Pastors had cleaned up a man, called someone to collect him and were walking him to the agreed pick up point when a gentleman who had been observing the events said to them “Can I book you for later?” The presence of Street Pastors often has a calming effect on people. For example; a group of youngsters were angry that they had been denied access to a night club. Some of the group recognised the Street Pastors who were passing by and a conversation ensued. The supply of lollipops for each of the group of youngsters was all that they required to send them on their way happy and no longer wanting arguing with the door security staff. Young women drunk and alone on the streets are particularly vulnerable and in such circumstances Street Pastors will always intervene and ensure that they get home safely or are reunited with friends who will look after them. The reaction of the regulars in the town centre can be summed up in the following comments loudly shouted across the road “Street Pastors we love you” If you would like to find out more about applying to be a Street Pastor, or would be able to spend a few hours offering prayer support on a Saturday evening, whether at home or at the base, contact Jane Simmonds (235844) Articles from the Deryshire Times 8.9 2011 Out on the Town 
Street Pastors
You're all Angels
Comment column
Update 21.9.11 from Jane Simmonds After 4 weeks, Street Pastors in Chesterfield have already become a welcome addition to our night time economy. There is a lot of evidence of building relationships and filling gaps that other agencies are unable to fill. For example, this last week a team spent some time waiting for a drunken person's father to provide a lift home. Under normal circumstance this person would have ended up being taken to hospital by ambulance, thereby wasting time and money in the NHS. Street Pastors are able to offer time and support where other agencies have limits on the amount of time they may spend with one person. I am sure that the presence of Street Pastors on the streets is now being seen as a welcome assurance that there is someone there to listen, care and help. Each week, Street Pastors carry various items that they can issue with discernment. Last Saturday, between the hours of 10pm and 3.30am, the following was happened: -8 pairs of flip flops issued 2 bottles of water given out -25 bottles/glasses picked up and made safe -1 occasion of first aid was applied -2 situations calmed down -2 space blankets issued Why issue flip flops? Find out next month when we will have interviews with two Street Pastors from St Thomas’ Church speaking about their experiences. It is clear that more people are beginning to recognize who Street Pastors are, with lots of conversations taking place about the work done as well as their worries and anxieties. People, after only four weeks are starting to ask for practical help and assistance which proves how useful and essential this scheme is. Have you got any time to spare between 10pm and 4am on a Saturday/Sunday? Thanks Jane Simmonds
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