Manchester City Centre Street Pastors (MCCSP) are a voluntary Christian organisation who patrol the streets, helping to keep people safe on busy Friday nights. A MCCSP member talks about their role in keeping you safe after dark.

Street Pastor member @PilgimBrother, as known on Twitter, said that it is a calling and his beliefs lead him to the organisation, solely to help people. “I’m a Christian and I’m passionate about going out on the streets and helping people – a reason why I became a Street Pastor,” @PilgrimBrother said.

When the Street Pastors are on role, they tend to go out in groups of three or more. Teamwork is what emphasises their mission by looking out for each other. @PilgrimBrother said: “It’s all about safety. Keeping the person you’re speaking to safe, as well as keeping yourself safe.” Still in training, @PilgrimBrother is to fully qualify in January 2020.

@PilgrimBrother says that he was being led to do this role and that the important thing about Street Pastors is that you can be passionate and empathetic. @PilgrimBrother said. “We don’t judge about the issues people have but we’re open to speak about everything and point people in the right direction. It’s all about trying to keep people safe.”

Street Pastors are not an authority figure. The organisation personally reaches out to people in need of help. @PilgrimBrother says it’s how you speak to people which is an important aspect of the role. “They will open up. That’s how you get into the conversation,” he said. “Too many people think they are invisible and we all have busy lives. He emphasises that spending two minutes with someone to say ‘Hello’ has an impact.

Street Pastors aim to reach out to everyone from all backgrounds. Their multi-gender team and array of experiences allows them to do this. @Pilgrim brother said that they are a group of Christians who have a heart for people. “I went out and I was only male [in the group] – three ladies with me,” he said. “There was a lady we came across who was distressed and the ladies were able to connect with her. Females can talk to females about certain things. It’s the same with males.”

The night starts with the team meeting at a police station around 10 p.m. on a Friday and aim to finish the patrol at 2 a.m. the following day. Situated around Piccadilly Gardens, they also cover the Northern Quarter, the Printworks and Market Street. @PilgrimBrtoher says that they usually post when they go out and are active on social media.

It can be difficult for people to approach others for help but @pilgrimBrother assures that they are always a helping hand. He also gives advice on having a safe night out: “Be street wise and understand that if you go anywhere, you go in a group. Always know where your friends are and if you’re leaving at the end of the night, leave together.”

Planning ahead is important as it saves time, hassle and worry as well as being a great way to avoid trouble in the city. @PilgrimBrother also added “We all enjoy ourselves but be aware of how you can get home and where you’re going.”

The Street Pastors are identifiable with their blue jackets with ‘Street Pastor’ labelled on them and their hats. The Village Angels are another similar organisation based at Canal Street in Manchester which @Pilgrim brother says has a hub you can go to.

You can keep up to date with the MCCSP on Facebook, Twitter and on their website. If you would like to join the effort to keep Manchester safe, you can train to become a Street Pastor yourself here.