Water boost for city's street pastor scheme

By [sjepson] shaun jepson sjepson@derbytelegraph.co.uk

VOLUNTEERING churchgoers who patrol the streets of Derby to help revellers have been given a boost by pub bosses.

The volunteers, known as street pastors, have received 300 pairs of flip-flops and a year's supply of bottled water to give out to people during their patrols.

Derby City Pubwatch paid for the flip-flops, which are handed to women who risk injury by taking off their uncomfortable high-heeled shoes as they pour out of clubs and bars.

And Coyote Wild, in Victoria Street, has paid for 240 bottles of water and promised a supply throughout 2009 for revellers who have had too much alcohol to drink.

Alasdair Kay co-ordinates the street pastor scheme in Derby. He said: "We are a team of volunteers and are grateful for any kind of help we can get in terms of funding for items.

"Derby City Pubwatch has been partnered with the scheme since the beginning and even donated radios for us to communicate with police. This is another great example of partnership work going on in the city. We have been running in the city centre for a number of weeks now and venues, as well as people who visit Derby, have responded really well to us, which is very pleasing.

"We're all about helping people to help create a safer city centre for visitors and staff who work there. We're very happy with how the scheme has been received so far and hope that continues."

Street pastors patrol the city centre on Friday and Saturday evenings between 10pm and 4am. They are there to help people get into taxis, give directions and clear away broken glass. The teams of volunteers, who patrol Sadler Gate, Friar Gate and Ashbourne Road, also offer first aid and treatment to injured revellers.

Wayne Gaylor, 40, is manager of Coyote Wild and deputy chairman of Derby City Pubwatch, which is made up of licensees and aims to encourage safe social drinking.

He said: "I think the concept is ideal for Derby. When I initially heard about the scheme I was a bit sceptical but having seen the volunteers in the city centre, I think it is fantastic. The scheme definitely benefits people in Derby because it helps to make them safer. The volunteers help by offering first aid and clear away broken bottles which makes the city centre a better place to be.

"We have just decided to help out by offering a bit of cash to buy some water. Hopefully other venues will do their bit as well by offering some support to what is a fantastic service."

On the streets of Derby, one or two teams of four to six pastors will patrol each night, depending on availability. The group hopes to recruit another 20 members before next Christmas.