Town pastors to patrol the streets of Poole to support vulnerable people

The volunteers from Churches Together in Poole will be focussing their patrols on the bus station due to issues with anti-social behaviour in the area.

The initiative is supported by charity Faithworks Wessex and has the backing of Dorset Police and Poole council.

The pastors, who are trained in 12 modules on issues such as first aid, drugs and alcohol, mental health, and safeguarding, will aim to engage with vulnerable young people and adults on Saturday afternoons.

Jackie Leswell, chair of Churches Together in Poole, explained further the role of town pastors.

“We’re available to anybody in the town. We’ll be chatting to people and engaging with them, particularly those who look troubled or in need of friendship. Although we wear a uniform, we won’t look too official and will be a friendly face in the community.

“One of the reasons police are quite keen for us to go out on Saturday afternoons is to support young people around the bus station where there is quite a bit of anti-social behaviour. Part of our role is to go round and try to befriend them and chat to them.”

She added that while the pastors would act as a “Christian presence on the streets”, they were “not out to evangelise people”.

“It’s more about providing emotional support and a listening ear, but we’re also happy to talk about our faith,” she said.

Every Saturday, there will be a team of four town pastors on patrol between approximately 3.30pm and 6pm. It is hoped these times will be extended as the volunteers' pastor team grows.

The launch of Poole Town Pastors follows in the footsteps of the Bournemouth Town Pastors scheme, which started in September.

Volunteers in Bournemouth carry out patrols on Saturday nights to give a helping hand to revellers who become vulnerable after a night out.

They come equipped with rucksacks containing flip flops, water, hairbands, sick bags, and a dustpan and brush to clear up broken glass.