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Street pastors set to expand across Norfolk
 DEC 2007: A Christian volunteer scheme introduced to bring a calming influence to Norwich's sometimes chaotic night-time economy is proving so popular that other places in Norfolk are hoping to follow suit.Reently it was re vealed how the city centre's successful Street Pastors scheme is to be launched in east Norwich early next year.
Youth workers said the idea to roll out the pastors to the Thorpe St Andrew, Dussindale, Mousehold and Heartsease areas of the city was prompted by reports of anti-social behaviour and young people roaming the streets.
Now it has emerged that church groups in the city's Lakenham community, including New Hope Christian Centre, as well as in Dereham, Great Yarmouth, Harleston and Diss have all contacted Norwich's co-ordinator to find out more about the scheme.
Since March, Street Pastors have been patrolling the city centre on Friday nights and into the small hours of Saturday mornings.
Training offer for volunteer street pastors
More street pastors are needed for the Norwich city centre project and a new training scheme for Norfolk Street Pastors will be starting at the end of January. If you are interested in finging out more about this, you can contact project co-ordinator Val Dodsworth on 01603 472753 or at v.dodsworth@ntlworld.com
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The church volunteers learn to recognise and deal with those suffering from alcohol and drug abuse, to understand the role of the police, to deal with aggression and antagonism and to hone their listening skills so as to demonstrate care and concern for any whose night out has taken a turn for the worse.
The project has proved so popular that in October the Street Pastors expanded so that its teams of four were out on Saturday nights and into Sunday mornings as well.
Norwich Street Pastors co-ordinator Val Dodsworth said she felt the scheme was proving popular for two reasons.
She said: “The churches have a growing consciousness about getting out into the community and there's also seen to be a need in a lot of places.
“It's about being where people need help, support, care and someone to listen.
“There's a lot of distress among people under the veneer of the 'I'm okay'.”
One of the Norwich Street Pastors, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “There is no typical night for a Street Pastor and each situation has to be dealt with in a different way.
“If somebody wants someone to talk to about something then we are prepared to listen - whether it is something related to religious questions or whether it is something to do with housing, or an addiction or whatever.
“We feel this is one of the things the church should be doing - it should be out on the streets and part of the community.”
Article extracts and pictures courtesy of www.eveningnews24.co.uk
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