Warminster Street Pastors look to boost volunteer team

Often armed with a bag of lollipops, the Warminster Street Pastors are a familiar sight around town.

The volunteers, all from local churches, walk the streets day and night to look out for people in need.

They typically work on Friday evenings, Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

The Warminster Street Pastors hope to grow their team and also enlist a new chairperson for the coming years.

Georgina Dahl, who has been a Warminster Street Pastor since 2020, said, “We see the role as a way of taking churches out onto the streets. We’d love to see more people get involved.

“At night, we are watchful eyes and listening ears to anyone who needs us. Street Pastors make sure people get home safely and we can offer them things like water, lollipops or flip-flops. We are all first-aid trained.

“We also bring a dustpan and brush out with us so we can sweep up any broken glass so people don’t get injured. If there are bottles or cans on the ground, we put them in the bin so they can’t be used as weapons.”

Georgina also carries leaflets for local organisations such as Open Door and Cornerstone to sign-post people to additional support if they need it.

On Sunday afternoons, she and her fellow Street Pastors walk through Warminster and visit places like the Happy to Chat bench at the Lake Pleasure Grounds.

Georgina, a former police officer, added, “If anyone wants company or just to talk, we are there. We wear our Street Pastor uniform which means people know who always we are.

“Recently there was a little girl who injured herself after she fell off a swing. People came over to us, knowing we are first-aid training, to help. We do really want to help the community.”

Active Christians are welcome to apply for volunteer roles with the Warminster Street Pastors. To find out more email jdonbavand@btinternet.com or call 01747 820396

Pictured: Volunteer Georgina in action