Stirling Street Pastors were named as the Provost’s official charity for 2018 in June.
The group of 26 Christian volunteers from local churches patrol Stirling city centre on Friday and Saturday nights – helping care for vulnerable people who are drunk or sleeping rough.
Stirling Street Pastors celebrates its 10th anniversary in March 2019.
Following a meeting with Stirling Street Pastors coordinator Morag Buxel, the Provost is keen to help further raise awareness of the charity by going on the beat with them.
Provost Simpson said: “I was delighted to name Stirling Street Pastors as my official charity for 2018 and I am now keen to get a first-hand glimpse of the invaluable work that they do.
“All year round, these volunteers selflessly take to the streets of the city centre offering all manner of support from first aid to even just handing out flip-flops or teas or coffee.
“As Christmas approaches and the city centre gets busy with festive revellers, it is reassuring to know that these selfless volunteers or on hand should anyone need a little help.
“There can’t be any group that personifies the season of goodwill more than Stirling Street Pastors – but it’s important to remember that the pastors are out on Friday and Saturday nights all year round.
“It is an incredible job that they do and I’m looking forward to seeing them in action.”
Street Pastors is a UK-wide charity that launched in 2003 and the Stirling branch will celebrate its 10th anniversary on March 27, 2019.
The faith-based group has just released a YouTube video highlighting its services as part of a new recruitment drive.
To join you must be over 18 and have a letter from a Minister or Priest to confirm that you have been a regular attender of a local church for over a year.
In 2017, Stirling Street Pastors handed out 345 pairs of flip flops, removed 874 glass bottles from the street, served up 304 hot drinks and water, and supported 143 vulnerable people.
The honour of being named the Provost’s charity of the year comes as Stirling battles with the Italian city of Padova to be crowned European Volunteering Capital 2019.
Coordinator Morag Buxel said: “I really hope Stirling wins this because for the size of city, Stirling pack a pretty powerful punch for volunteering.
“We are humbled to have been chosen as the Provost’s official charity. It is helping us raise awareness of what we do.
“We are not looking for recognition, but anything which allows us to be able to tell people what we’re doing and why has got to be a good thing.
“We’re often told ‘Seeing you on the streets reminds me there are good people in the world’.
“There are situations where you do think ‘If we hadn’t been there, what would have happened?’. I do not think it is an exaggeration to say that the Street Pastors have saved lives over the years.”
She added: “The police are appreciative because there are sometimes things that they get caught up in that their time could be better spent elsewhere.
“In those scenarios we can step in and free them up to deal with more serious incidents. The good thing is that we’ve got the time. We’re not in a rush and go wherever we feel called to or guided to be. We try to emphasise that God loves everyone and hopefully our actions of listening to, caring and helping anyone on the streets reflects that good news.”
Pictured: Provost Christine Simpson meets the Stirling Street Pastors at Council HQ