The Rich history of Southend Street Pastors
Street Pastors were pioneer in the UK in 2003 by Les Isaac. On that first night, 18 volunteers took to the streets of Brixton (London) and since then this initiative has grown to encompass a network of volunteers who engage with people on the streets to care for them, listen to them and help them.
We are Southend Street Pastors. We have been helping vulnerable people by taking Jesus on to the streets on most Fridays and Saturday nights since 2005 – we were one of the first groups outside London.
We are now out almost every weekend:
– On Friday nights, we patrol the High Street and Seafront and
– On Saturday afternoons we visit the local parks, the High Street and Hamlet Court Road.
In 2016, we were given the Queens Award for Voluntary Service – the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK. On 19th May 2016 town members of our team attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace where they met the Queen and other members of of the Royal Family.
Despite the pandemic, we went out when allowed in 2021 and over the year completed 30 Night time Patrols and 38 Day-time Patrols. During those patrols we:-
* talked to 49 rough sleepers/ homeless
* collected and binned 90 bottles and 30 glasses ( to prevent them being used as weapons );
* Handed out 30 hot drinks, 38 bottles of water, 31 chocolate bars, 10 pairs of flip- flops, 9 sleeping bags, and 2 foil blankets, and attended 12 First Aid incidents.
Now that Covid restrictions have been lifted, we expect the numbers to be much higher in 2022.
Leadership and Management.
Essential to this success are volunteer leaders who form a small Management Team
For several reasons, we are currently seeking local people who could fulfil the following roles:
- Chair
- Treasure; and
- Trustees
1. After many years, our Chairman is stepping down. We therefore need to appoint a new Chairman with Charity trustees play a vital role in making sure that the Charity is run in the interests of the people it is there to support. They strategically oversee the management and administration of the organisation.
The duties of a Trustee include at least the following:
- Ensuring their Charity has a clear strategy and that it’s work and goals are in line with its vision;
- Being the ‘guardians of purpose’ making sure that all decisions enhance the success of the Charity and
- Safeguarding the Charity’s assets, such as it’s reputation and make sure these are used well and that the Charity is run sustainable.
Trustees are not usually involved in the day-to-day running of the Charity. Most trustees boards meet at least four times a year.
Being a trustee can be extremely rewarding because;
- You have the chance to support and shape the work and strategic direction of an organisation;
- You can make a significant difference to a cause that matters to you;
- You are part of a team and will have the opportunity to apply your unique skills and experience while learning from others;
- You will be working closely with an enthusiastic team of people who have different perspectives- this is often one of the most enjoyable aspects of the role.
Contact Point.
If you are interested an any of these roles, Please contact John Levitt (Southend Street Pastor Coordinator):
Email : southend@streetpastors.org.uk
Contact Number: 07494 989266