Telford street pastors trained by ambulance service

Since the beginning of July, the Telford Street Pastors have spent their Friday nights in Telford town centre.

They have come to the aid of people who have got into difficulties after leaving a pub or club.

On Saturday 23rd July at Madeley Baptist Church, eleven of the volunteers were put through a five hour training course in First Aid, CPR and the recovery position.

The course was organised by Rob Marsh, Group Station Manager of Donnington Ambulance Station who said: “The Street Pastors have already proven to be very effective. There have been several occasions when they have found someone who has needed the help of the ambulance service. Equally, they have been able to effectively deal with revellers themselves, preventing unnecessary calls to 999.

“Our ambulance crews are becoming quite familiar with seeing their blue coats in town. Their learning First Aid is another string to their bow. Two of the trainees from the day have gone on to further training with West Midlands Ambulance Service and are on the way to becoming fully-fledged Community First Responders.”

Street Pastor Co-ordinator the Rev'd Keith Osmund Smith said: “We are enormously grateful to be working with our key partners in The Ambulance Service. They have helped equip Telford Street Pastors with critical skills which enable them to carry out their work with greater expertise and professionalism."

To be a Street Pastor you need to be over 18 (no upper age limit), a church member, have a complete CRB check and be able to commit to a full training programme.

For more information about the street pastor scheme, contact the Safer Telford and Wrekin Partnership on 01952 382102 or by email safer.communities@telford.gov.uk