A special service of thanksgiving will celebrate the work of a city centre Street Pastors scheme which is to end after 14 years.

Carlisle Street Pastors was set up in 2010 through Churches Together in Cumbria, operating under the national umbrella organisation, the Ascension Trust. Initially the inter-denominational group had more than 20 volunteers. They have been taking to the city’s streets on Saturday nights from 10pm to 2am, offering help where needed to those on nights out.

Kathy Howe, area coordinator for the Street Pastors, said: “The strapline of the Street Pastors is ‘Listening, Caring and Helping’ and that is what we do. We’re there to help people on the street and show God’s love to whoever needs it and in whatever form that may be.

“This is not about evangelising as we’re not allowed to do that. If someone asks us about God then we can talk to them about faith but essentially, it’s doing what Jesus would do if he was on the streets at night; he would listen to people, help them and care for them.”

The group offers flip flops to people who may have lost shoes, organises taxis for those who may be vulnerable through drink and collects bottles and glasses from the streets. They have worked in close consultation with Cumbria Constabulary and the local authority. But now due to a fall in the number of volunteers and an apparent drop off in the volume of city centre late night revellers, Carlisle Street Pastor will disband at the end of the year.

Currently there are only eight Christian volunteers left in the team – with one team member travelling from Kendal and others from Skelton, Brampton and outlying areas of Carlisle. The fall in volunteer numbers means the team is no longer able to operate each week.

Kathy added: “We have struggled to recruit new members, and I fully understand that this type of ministry would not be easy for many church members to get involved with due to their age and the hours we are working. We have also found that, since Covid, there are far fewer people out in the city centre, and we are frequently finishing earlier than we used to. That’s another reason for the decision to finish.”

There will be a service of thanksgiving at St Michael’s Stanwix on Sunday 26 January at 3pm for all Street Pastors, present and past, Prayer Pastors and well-wishers.

Kathy said: “We’d love to see as many people as possible at the service to help celebrate with us. Who knows, there may even be cake at the end!”

ENDS

For further information contact Dave Roberts, Diocesan Head of Communications, on 07469 153658 or at communications@carlislediocese.org.uk.