Pastors take to the streets of Gloucester

AMID the revellers heading home from a boozy night on the tiles was one 70-year old pensioner doing her bit to restore faith in others.

Wearing a high-visibility blue jacket, a baseball cap and throwing around advice from her mobility scooter, it wasn't a typical Friday night scene in the centre of Gloucester.

But Wendy is no ordinary woman – she was one of 20 brave souls who volunteered as street pastors to help people get home.

Wendy, from Linden, said: "I was in a caring profession all my life. I was a teacher, a foster parent and I taught people with learning disabilities but when I retired I found myself disabled and I felt I couldn't make a contribution to the community until this opportunity came along.

"We have to learn if and how we can help people and hopefully we will be able to help them whether they need to get a taxi, link up with their friends or whatever."

The church-run initiative will see volunteers giving out water bottles, flip flops and silver blankets from the hours of 10pm until 4am every Friday.

Friday night was the launch, and by all accounts it was a great hit.

Another street pastor Janice, 44, from Abbeydale said: "It is fantastic to be out finally.

"The atmosphere is fantastic and everybody we have bumped into has been really lovely."

The pastors were commissioned at a service at the Salvation Army Citadel in Eastgate Street on Friday before beginning their work – which was welcomed by revellers.

From now on they will be hitting city streets on a regular basis to offer help and advice.

Reveller Matt Hall, 25, from Drybrook said: "I think it is a really good idea. It is good to make sure that people won't be left by themselves on a night out with friends, especially women.

"It is much safer to have people around in case people need any help."