News and Updates

Since May 22nd 2009 until 31st December 2009 we have done 38 nights out on the streets of Ryde, Cowes and Newport. This equates to 970 man/ woman hours . We have had 134 meaningful conversations and been involved in 33 tense or challenging situations. We have given away hundreds of pairs of flip flops and bottles of water. We have got through almost 100 boxes of chocolates, and given out over 100 foil blankets. We have also picked up around 100 glass bottles. Between June 1st and December 31st the number of violent incidents in Ryde, on a Friday night decreased by 43%. Chief Superintendent Dave Thomas says that he regards this reduction in offenses as truly outstanding and would like to thank the team of Street Pastors for their hard work and contribution to these results.

(from the Jan 2010 newsletter)

OK, I’m really only posting this because I like alliteration.   That aside I thought you should know the lengths that our SP co-ordinator will go to to prove he has no fear.  David and I were part of a trip to Germany with 19 teenagers (scary enough already if you ask me) travelling to Dresden for a range of outdoor activities and to film a documentary.

Among the activities organised was rock climbing.  I took the sensible approach to this activity.  I didn’t book a place.  David however, was under strict instructions not to wuss out on anything.  First he had a bash at climbing with ropes (you basically haul yourself up a rope using a special harness – very hard work!) after which he was convinced he had scared himself enough.

Then a few minutes later he was spotted donning a climbing harness and shoes to attempt the rock climb.

I watched the whole thing, and until that point I never realised you could climb with zero skill, just pure adrenaline!   The ascent was rapid, and appeared to involve precious little use of hand or foot holds.  The technique appeared akin to spider man’s, I think sheer velocity ensured adherence to the cliff.  Our interpid co-ordinator then had to sit on top off the rather small flat top of the rock, eventually joined by 13 more people – a record number apparently.  Having had time to contemplate life, death and how on earth he was going to get down, David abseiled down the cliff face yelling at the top of his voice “Face the Fear” repeatedly.  When he got to the bottom he told me that he would have done anything to be back on the streets of Ryde facing angry drunks rather than hauling himself up and down a cliff.

I think the chant of “Face the Fear” is quite apt for a Street Pastor.  Every Friday night they go out not knowing what they are going to face.  They could come up against dangerous situations, or possibly have to face people’s  loneliness and despair.  So, if you’re sat comfortably at home on a Friday night, spare a thought or prayer for the team on the streets.

Since the commissioning service on May 22nd there has been a team out on the streets of Ryde every Friday night. We have gradually been extending our patrolling hours and now we are out until 2.30-3.00 am. Not only have we done all these nights we have also helped at Ryde Regatta, done 3 nights at Cowes week plus we will be helping out at Ryde Illuminated Carnival. The teams have really gelled as units and I have seen confidence grow not only in individual Pastors but I have seen “team confidence” grow too.

When you start something like this it really is a voyage into the unknown. We had excellent training on many varied topics but actually the real training starts on the streets. These are real people with real problems and I have been stunned and completely honoured and humbled by how well received we have been by the general public. No one can really prepare you for the young man who tells you about how his relationship with his father has hit rock bottom since his mother died. About the woman who had her child adopted at birth and has spent 6 years trying to get her back. About the young girl passed out in the street having had too much to drink. About the 14 year old girl telling you how many lads she has slept with. About the homeless man who cries in front of you because he is so hungry. About the young man covered in his own vomit in a shop doorway.

No one can also prepare you for the glow that you feel in your heart when you are of help to someone. The look of true gratitude when someone takes flip flops or water. When they say, “how much do I owe you” and you smile and say “its free, because we care” The sense of satisfaction as you wrap a young girl up in a foil blanket to stop her shivering. The immense sense of God working through you into peoples lives as they talk to you, share their life and then hug you saying “thank you , thank you”. No one can prepare you for the fact that a smile and a warm handshake is what is sorely missing from our society.

I think our biggest hurdle has been gaining peoples trust. Letting people know that we are safe, we are not going to judge them, we are not going to hit them over the head with a bible, knowing that we are not undercover policemen. That all takes time. The door staff have been fantastic. Well over half the venues have actively come up to me saying what a good job we are doing and how they recognise the benefit of our presence on the streets. Some are really amazed at how we can help in diffusing difficult situations with a smile and a lollipop.

The police have told me time and time again how they value our presence. They value the fact that we will look after and talk to the vulnerable, drunk people. Once again the longer this goes on the more trust the police have in us. They will now leave us in certain situations so they can go and deal with more difficult challenging situations. The police have also invited me to be part of the “safer communities “day in Newport on August 22nd.

When I first took this job on I had a vision in my mind about how it would run, the reality has exceeded that on every level. That is down to the most amazing 22 volunteers anyone could hope to work with. Their love and dedication is stunning.

I am now thinking about recruitment for the next wave which will include Ryde and Newport and have had some excellent candidates come forward already wanting to be pastors. Infact our very own Arch Deacon of the Isle of wight has taken this scheme to her heart and has decided to become a Street Pastor.

The next recruitment/information evening will be at Newport Methodist church on September 29th at 7-30pm. The way God has got his hand on this project I expect it to be an amazing, emotional moving evening. I am also so encouraged by other areas of the Island becoming interested in the scheme. I am booked up to do presentations already in Niton, Newport, Wroxall, Brighstone and West Wight.

I’m off on holiday now for 2 weeks to recharge my batteries for the next amazing few months. Watch this space.

Title: Sunday Buzz
Location: Parish Hall, Victoria Road, Freshwater
Description: Dave Ouston, the organiser of the Street Pastors in the Isle of Wight, will be leading a worship time, and will talk about the work of the Street Pastors.

Details from Ros and Robin 755515 or Doreen 754946
Start Time: 20:00
Date: 2009-09-06

Title: Information Evening
Description: Come and find out more about Street Pastors, what they do and how the scheme is about to grow. Whether you’re interested in volunteering as a Street Pastor, becoming a Prayer Pastor, finding out how you can support the scheme or you just want to know what’s going on, come along and find out more.
Start Time: 19:30
Date: 29-09-2009
End Time: 20:30
Location: Newport Methodist Church, Quay Street, Newport

Street Pastors is all about making our streets better, safer places to be, protecting the vulnerable and being a listening ear for those that need to talk.  We rely on voluntary donations to keep our valuable work going, and to keep growing.

We are now urgently seeking 100 people who would be prepared to commit to giving £10 per month via standing order to support Street Pastors on the Island’s streets.  If we can achieve our target of 100 supporters then we can pay for the ongoing management, training, support and supplies for over 30 Street Pastors – enough to put teams on the streets of two Island towns one night per week.   What’s more we can use your donations to help draw in match funding and make an even greater impact on the Islands streets.

If you would like to read more, or are convinced already and would like to support us then please download our flyer and application form here.