Torquay's famous Street Pastors appeal for new members

Torquay’s famous Street Pastors are appealing for new volunteers to join their ranks. 

After making Torquay’s nightlife a friendlier and safer place for everyone over the last 20 years, the group has fallen on more challenging times in the wake of the pandemic. Since Covid struck, the Pastors lost about two-thirds of their regular members. 

Anyone who has frequented the bars and clubs of Torquay on a Saturday night will have seen the Street Pastors, either walking through town or standing outside their ‘Safe Place’ van, normally parked by the harbour. 

Street Pastors are Christian volunteers who look after vulnerable people in the night-time economy around the Strand and Torquay harbours. Patrolling in teams of men and women, the Pastors care for, listen to and help people who are out on the streets.

“No night’s the same,” said Barney Bettesworth, who has been a Torbay Street Pastor with his wife Liz for nine years and a Trustee of the group for four. 

“We walk slowly and try to engage with people, young or old. We chat and we listen; that’s the main part of the job. 

“We’re a broad-based Christian organisation that helps people on the streets.”

He added: “We are held in great esteem, always getting high fives, compliments and often hugs with comments like ‘You saved my friend in his hour of need’. Because we wear distinctive uniforms, we are very easily recognised.”

From bringing calm to difficult situations and supporting vulnerable or inebriated people to giving out water, blankets and their famous flip-flops for those in high heels, no job is too big or small for the Pastors. 

The Pastors call it “Doing God’s work on the streets.”

Often, the work Pastors do is crucial for Torbay’s nightlife to flourish, filling in where police and paramedics cannot. Ian Stevens, a local Police Inspector said: “What the Street Pastors do on a regular basis is nothing short of incredible. We are grateful to have this level of support and as a result, we are seeing crime levels drop.”

The Street Pastor initiative began in 2003 when Les Isaac founded the group in Brixton, leaving his life of crime behind. There are now more than 300 towns and cities in the UK.

In Torquay, the group flourished until the pandemic, with about 120 members. However, after nearly two years out of action, the group lost many of their volunteers and is now working hard to rebuild the team. 

While the Pastors used to go out on both Friday and Saturday, they can now only operate on reduced hours on Saturday night. 

Being a Street Pastor is challenging, yet the fulfilment it brings to both individuals' personal lives and their faith is what keeps people coming back. 

Barney said: “It’s not just rewarding; it’s revealing. It can be a sad experience but I’m always surprised by people’s generosity. From being a street pastor, I’ve had some of the most moving conversations and made the best memories.”

Torquay’s Street Pastors are now looking for more practising Christians to join their group, either becoming a Street Pastor or a Prayer Pastor. 

Vigorous training will be provided and friends guaranteed. 

Barney added: “It’s an experience that’s so rewarding that we all keep coming back. We are very happy to take anyone out as an observer so that you can see what goes on.”

Currently, the Pastors go out in Torquay between 10pm-2am on Saturday nights. They hope that after training, new members can commit to at least one session a month. 

For more information, contact torbay@streetpastors.org.uk or 07933 136418.