A scheme that has provided front line care assistance to late night revellers in Kirkcaldy town centre is celebrating 10 years of service this week.
The Street Pastors Kirkcaldy team, recognisable by their blue, branded jackets, have been a consistent presence in the Lang Toun’s streets in the late weekend hours to help ensure the public can enjoy the town’s night life while keeping as safe as possible.
Their valuable work began in February 2010 with around 18 volunteers but a decade on, they are marking their anniversary with an urgent appeal for more volunteers as numbers have dwindled over the years.
The Kirkcaldy team currently patrols the town centre from 10pm to 4am on alternate Saturday nights and comprises a team of around eight volunteers led by a management team, although there are hopes new volunteers can help Street Pastors Kirkcaldy step up to a weekly operation.
Trustee Rob Weir said: “Street pastors can play a really helpful role in keeping the Kirkcaldy townsfolk safe as they enjoy nights out.
“People can quickly become vulnerable and we are there with a friendly face and practical support to make sure people are able to function and make their way safely home.
“Obviously we need a good team on the ground to do this and we are eager to hear from any ‘night hawks’ who might be interested in this type of voluntary work.”
Working alongside the police and local authorities, and with a strapline of ‘Caring, Listening and Helping’, it is estimated Street Pastors Kirkcaldy have, over the past decade, helped 5,000 people, signposted 4,000 individuals to other support agencies, handed out 3,000 pairs of flip flops/slippers and given out more than 800 hot drinks and bottles of water.
More than 7,000 glasses and bottles have been uplifted, including broken glass swept up, 3,000 lollies and sweets have been handed out and more than 1,000 people have been assisted with transport or put in taxis.
The Kirkcaldy operation is part of the national Street Pastors organisation pioneered in London in 2003 and which has grown to operate in over 300 different UK towns and cities including Kirkcaldy, Dunfermline and the Cowdenbeath, Lochgelly and Kelty area.
Street pastors are trained volunteers from local churches who care about their community, going out on the streets at weekend evenings to meet people in their own social environments.
Before being commissioned, each volunteer will have received over 20 hours of intensive training in areas such as first aid, drugs awareness, mental health, roles and responsibilities and listening skills.
Anyone who thinks they can help boost the project should email the group at Kirkcaldy@streetpastors.org.uk or telephone on 07864 992927 for more details.
