Bishop Robert joined Cheltenham Street Pastors on Saturday night (21 September) for their regular community patrol.
Cheltenham Street Pastors are a group of trained volunteers who offer support and care to people who are out late on Friday and Saturday nights. They walk around Cheltenham, usually from 10pm to 4am, to provide a safe space for those in need, equipped with helpful items like water, flip-flops, and always a listening ear.
Speaking about his night on BBC Radio Gloucester, Bishop Robert said:
“I had the most wonderful evening. It was joyous to be out with those clubbing who were just having great fun and really full of life, and it was equally joyous to be with the team of Street Pastors – a different age group to those clubbing, but also really full of life.
“These are Christians who are really working out what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, in a way that isn’t just about being in church, but about practical care and service, and being there for everyone.”
The Bishop was impressed by the interactions between the Street Pastors and the people they met, noting how the volunteers were able to build relationships through friendly banter, while offering real, practical care. He recalled a moment when the team helped a young woman:
“She’d fallen over and hurt herself. Her shoes weren’t the most comfortable to walk home in, so they gave her some flip-flops, which she found really helpful. They offered her practical first aid for grazes and bruises, gave her water, and made sure she got home safely.
“The extraordinary thing about the Street Pastors is that they save lives. They really do, just by being there and helping in practical ways.”
He went on to highlight their simple use of a dustpan and brush in preventing accidents: “You can sweep up broken bottles, saving particularly women’s feet from stepping on glass. It’s really safe and practical, and it makes a world of difference.”
He also spoke about their role as a comforting presence for club-goers and parents alike: “My children are older now, but as a dad, when my children were going out clubbing, knowing that the Street Pastors were out there was such an assurance.”
Cheltenham Street Pastors are actively seeking new volunteers. Those interested in joining the team can sign up for an hour-long try-out session through their ‘come and see’ campaign, to see what being a Street Pastor entails. More information is available on their website, linked here, or you can email ku.gr1728317684o.sro1728317684tsapt1728317684eerts1728317684@mahn1728317684etleh1728317684c1728317684.
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