CommunityAd caught up with Phil Norton of the Billericay Street Pastors, to find out more about the work they do.
What does being a Street Pastor involve?
Street Pastors patrol their town centre during the Night Time Economy of Friday and Saturday nights in uniform. They try to care, help, listen and signpost anyone who is or becomes vulnerable. We don’t judge. We just try and help.
Who can become a Street Pastor?
Street Pastor volunteers are all over 18, DBS checked, trained, equipped and recruited from the Christian faith. They also have references from their local church leader.
Is the response positive or do you encounter any resistance?
We have spent the last seven years building relationships with our community who understand what we are trying to do so we receive very little negativity.
What has been your most rewarding experience so far with being a Street Pastor?
My personal highlight was having the time to listen to a middle-aged lady, a mum and a wife, who had just been informed she had cancer and was being prepped for urgent surgery. She was holding it together for everybody but just allowed herself 15 minutes of time-out to share with me and she allowed me to pray for Peace as she faced Life.