Bristol pastors mark decade of supporting vulnerable revellers

The street pastors are a familiar sight at weekends in Bristol

At 22:00 on a Saturday night, a group of Christians gather in the centre of Bristol.

They offer a quick prayer, asking to be "directed to people who are vulnerable, who have problems... whether they've lost their friends or their hotel".

This is the start of a regular Saturday night for Bristol's Street Pastors who have been helping revellers every week for the last 10 years.

They volunteer their time to help people in need - whether giving them flip-flops to stop their feet getting hurt, offering coffee or water, or helping them into taxis.

Pastor Helen Harrison said that when her son was 17, he went for a night out with friends in Stokes Croft.

"They went to get some chips and a girl came into the chip shop with her face covered in blood," she said.

"My son went to help and the next thing he knew he was being dragged out of the shop and beaten to a pulp.

"If I can stop that happening to one teenager, if i can stop the phone call that we had at 2am... I have done my job."

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The team offers support from 22.00 until about 03.00, carrying radios provided by the Bristol Business Improvement District that allow them to hear chatter from door staff and keep in contact with emergency services.

"It's like firefighting. You don't go into a fire if it's going to put you in danger, so we have to make sure we are safe before we help other people," said volunteer Martin Gunther.

Martin Gunther said that far from being rowdy and horrible, Bristol's nightlife is "full of nice people"

Later in the evening, the pastors spot a woman on a date who is stumbling.

"[We] offered water, which she declined at first. As we were chatting it became apparent she was drunk and I didn't feel super comfortable," said team leader, Emily Preston.

When the woman became visibly upset the team managed to help her into a taxi.

"We wanted to make sure she got home safely."

Helen Harrison said: "We're here to help but we do not preach"

All Street Pastors are required to complete courses to ensure they are equipped to meet the needs of people they encounter on the streets.

Team member Paul Uttley said they are particularly looking out for vulnerability, which people "aren't always open or loud about".

"Sometimes just approaching can stop things going on. If something feels uncomfortable then we go have a look," he said.

The team also give out BillyChips, which people can use to buy food or drink.

Ms Harrison's husband, Robert, said: "The ethos of street pastors has always been we don't judge, we help, we care, we listen."

"We are not hear to preach," Ms Harrison added.

She said hearing people are grateful to the team after waking up with a pair of flip flops on their feet, knowing someone was looking our for them, "feels good".

'A brief few minutes'

Ms Harrison says: "Over the years they know us and they know what we are doing out.

"We like to think there are far fewer fights since going out. We have helped thousands of people.

"Just to be able to give brief few minutes or an hour, it isn't easy but we want to do it.

"I've been proposed to by a 17-year-old but I told him unfortunately I have one of those.

"We want people to have a good time but we want them to be safe doing so.

"I've loved every part of the last 10 years and I hope I can do 10 more."