Street pastor group needs volunteers to carry on

A street pastor group which tries to keep people safe at night said it needs more volunteers to continue.

Sunderland Safe Haven operates every Saturday night in the city centre and has a building where volunteers take people to keep them safe or get medical help.

Volunteers hand out flip flops, space blankets, bottled water as well as hats, gloves and sleeping bags for those in need.

Co-ordinator Julie Judson said: "We are down to just six people and could do so much more to help with extra volunteers."

The group was set up in 2010 as part of a nationwide movement of Christians who help people out at night who are vulnerable because of drugs or alcohol or who have become lost.

Since 2019 it has also rented a house on Mary Street called the Safe Haven paid for in 2024 through National Lottery funding.

Miss Judson said volunteer numbers had fallen since the Covid pandemic.

"We try not to cancel any shifts but many of us are out every weekend," she said.

'Hugs and handshakes'

The organisation would like to offer the service during the day to cover events like football matches or concerts, but needs more volunteers.

In 2023, it helped 120 people and took 23 to the Safe Haven and five people to hospital.

"It's really challenging work but it's fun too because you meet so many lovely people, those out partying, the door staff, the police," Miss Judson said.

"I get more hugs and handshakes working in the night-time economy than anywhere else."

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