Southampton Street Pastors’ 200th patrol was out in the city centre over the Christmas/New Year period, providing the reassurance and assistance to members of the public that has become much appreciated over the last 18 months. The volunteer street pastors have now given over 5,400 hours of their time and clocked up over 900 miles on patrol. We've helped over 500 people who were too drunk to look after themselves...
Good work recognised - donation from Square Balloon night clubThe work done by the street pastors has been recognised by Rob Miles, the manager of the Square Balloon night club on Above Bar Street who has donated £1,000 towards the running costs of the street pastors over the next year.
Richard Pitt, Coordinator of Southampton Street Pastors, said “Street Pastors has been a great success in Southampton but we are concerned about our sources of funding over the next few years. Support like this from the trade itself is marvellous and if others follow suit it gives us another source of funding and we stand a good chance of keeping out on the streets doing the work we do.”
Good reception from public continuesStreet pastors have a great rapport with clubbers, and enjoy the welcome and good atmosphere on the streets. They are often asked for directions, bus times or just to pose for a photo! They are also a familiar sight helping people who have become vulnerable through drinking too much. Over the last 20 months they have helped 508 people who were very drunk - helping them clean themselves up, find their friends and get home safely. The street pastors are actively involved with Southampton’s Safe City Partnership. They use the In Case of Emergency (ICE) Bus as a safe haven to bring people to. On a typical night the team gets several calls from the police, door staff or CCTV staff asking them to help someone - freeing up vital resources for other agencies. | 
