Support teams hailed as great success in Birmingham nightlife.
Birmingham’s Southside district has reported a year of success working with City Pastors, supporting late night visitors to the area.
The City Pastors, who first began patrolling Southside in December 2012 alongside the district’s street wardens, have been well received by the public by offering advice and support to Saturday night visitors and party-goers.
The team was invited from Broad Street into Southside to help make the streets a safer place for late night visitors in the district between 9:30pm – 2:30am. Set up by local churches in Birmingham, the scheme is run by volunteers who give up their time to assist anyone who might need help with anything from directions to getting a taxi home.
Simon Bateson, Associate Pastor at the Vineyard Network Church Birmingham, said: “The aim of City Pastors is to introduce a friendly face to visitors who might be in need of extra support on a night out. Over the last year, having a presence in the district has enabled our team of volunteers to help many people who might otherwise feel vulnerable. We are delighted to be working in Southside and hope our continued presence will help to make the streets of Southside a safe and enjoyable place.”
Julia Chance, Southside BID manager, said: “The hours of effort that the City Pastors have invested into supporting Southside’s night time economy has created an increasingly secure and welcoming environment for visitors, making a contribution to both a more positive nightlife and a safer city.”