Trustees’ Report Coventry Street Pastors, April 2021- March 2022
This is the trustees’ report for Coventry Street Pastors, and the unaudited financial statement, as at 31st March 2022
The Trustees and Management Committee. –
This year was the seventh year of patrolling, we returned to our normal times, however due to a reduction in the number of pastors we returned to only one patrol a night. This was acceptable due to the furthest venue we visited relocating to the centre of the city. It was also noted that the city was still noticeably quieter.
The trustees and management committee of Coventry Street Pastors has remained the same over the last 12 months with Pastor Eniiwaju Etomi as Chair, Pastor Asif Gil and Jain Galliford as trustees, Fr Dexter Bracey as the Bishop of Coventry’s representative as well as a trustee and Susan Jessop from the Salvation Army as a member. The liaison officers from the police continued to be Sgt D Walden and PCSO W Ellis, with the council liaison staying as L Nagle. However, Pastor Etomi announced in May 2021 that she would be resigning as chair and trustee in May 2022, at the next AGM. We therefore commenced discussions as to who would be suitable as Chair. It was also felt that this would be the time to recruit new trustees. To this end Steve Elton and Janet Powell were approached and agreed to join the committee and Sue Jessop agreed to move on to it as well. This will be ratified at the AGM in May 2022. FR Dexter Bracey was approached to be chair, and also agreed, again to be ratified at the AGM. Isabel McIntyre remains as coordinator.
The trustees and coordinator continue to visit schools to introduce street pastors, what we do, and how we can help the pupils when they’re out. We also are an integral part of the Night time economy steering group, which is purposed with rebuilding the night time economy, increasing safety and ensuring that everyone works in partnership. We also liaise with the city’s BID team and Pubwatch.
Street Pastor Numbers, Training and Commissioning.
Over the last 2 years, our numbers have reduced to 45, down from 70, as people have not returned after COVID, having moved on or found new volunteering callings. This has necessitated a recruitment drive, one which will continue throughout 2022. As many churches have not returned to full services, it has proved difficult to give presentations. However, we will continue.
Training will commence as soon as we have sufficient numbers.
Registered Charity Number 1169218.
Events
Over the last year, Coventry has been the City of Culture, which has meant many events have been taking place. Street pastors has attended various events to help: the Commonwealth Games torch’s arrival in the city, the Exhibition Gardens, an area showcasing international cultural acts, Godiva Festival amongst them.
Patrols
Patrols have been ongoing throughout the year. We have noticed the city is quieter and that we have less physical input, ie first aid, holding people up, finding lost friends, and more listening to people wonder what has happened, why they feel the way they do and where can they get help. To this end we have been giving the pastors information for signposting mental health availability.
Examples of situations
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E wanted to talk about how his life had broken down during Covid - lost his business, his marriage, his house, but is now more positive that things are getting better. He has a new job, less stress and enjoys it more - said thanks for listening he felt better letting it out.
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W - drunk and distressed. Wanted to speak to police about his situation - felt threatened and maybe exploited. Mental health concerns. Alerted police who went to him but he refused to engage. - Police came back to us to give us an update and said they would monitor.
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S. – looked like she was intending to sleep rough in the square outside The Yard. Was pretty well presented etc and responded when we asked if she was ok. VERY talkative. Had had her bag and phone stolen. Situation was that she had a tag and a curfew but had missed it at Little Park Street. Talking to her, it became increasingly obvious that she was pretty vulnerable – various stories of exploitation by men. Had been turned away by Salvation Army as it was too late. phoned SA who gave us an emergency number and we were finally told she could go to the Merrick Hotel. We accompanied her there.
During the year the patrols have rebuilt relationships with the venues, and again have been supporting door staff.
There has been an increase in stabbings etc in the city centre, and to help with first aid, the police have supplied us with a critical bleed kit, which means we can be of use if necessary. Each team has at least one person trained in the use of the kit. There has been one occasion when it could have been of use, but the on call ambulance was closer.
Funding
We continue to be funded by the police and council under various names, this year there have been no issues covering costs. We have also received a donation from Coventry Bid as well as regular donations from various venues and churches.
Registered Charity Number 1169218.
Conclusion
Overall Coventry Street Pastors continues to patrol the streets of Coventry on a Friday and Saturday night, and continue to fulfil their brief in helping those out enjoying themselves. The proposed early shift has still not been implemented due to the reduction in numbers, but is still envisioned for t he future.
Over the next 5 years, Coventry South will be regenerated, 23 of the main venues will be demolished, along with many shops, and new houses and lifestyle village built. This will see a change in the areas we patrol, but at present we continue to ask questions in the NTE meeting, based on what we perceive is needed. We want to ensure that the knowledge we have gained whilst being on the streets is used in a positive way to ensure Coventry becomes a safer city in the future.
We have many loyal and dedicated pastors who have become a family, enjoying social evenings and supporting each other. Without them we would not have been able to continue our mission to be Jesus’ hands and feet on the street, however, we also could not have done it without the support of the WM Police, PC’s, officers and our own liaison team.
We look forward to another successful year in 2022/2023.
Signed
Fr Dexter Bracey Chair 2022/2023
Registered Charity Number 1169218.
Registered Charity Number 1169218.
Net Worth Report
Account: All Accounts
Net Worth at: 04/04/2022 (in GB Pounds)
| Bank | |||
| AT CURRENT ACCOUNT | 0.00 | ||
| CSPI CURRENT ACCOUNT | 11,308.69 | ||
| PETTY CASH | 0.00 | ||
| Royal Bank Of Scotland | 2,764.06 | ||
| Bank Total | 14,072.75 | ||
| Investments | |||
| Investment Total | 0.00 | ||
| Assets | |||
| DEBTORS ACCOUNT | 3,145.00 | ||
| Asset Total | 3,145.00 | ||
| Credit Card | |||
| Credit Card Total | 0.00 | ||
| Liabilities | |||
| AT FEE | -618.15 | ||
| SALARY COORDINATOR | 0.00 | ||
| Liability Total | -618.15 | ||
| Overall Total: 16,599.60 |
Income and Expense by Category
From 05/04/2021 to 04/04/2022 (in GB Pounds)
| Category (Income) | |||
| Donations | 366.27 | ||
| Donations1 | 10,294.13 | ||
| Income:Interest Received | 12.57 | ||
| Stronger Communities Grant | 12,000.00 | ||
| Total Income | 22,672.97 | ||
| Category (Expense) | |||
| AT Licence Fee | -2,839.15 | ||
| Bus. Expenses:Office | -29.00 | ||
| Bus. Expenses:Other Expenses | -143.88 | ||
| Bus. Expenses:Telephone | -195.25 | ||
| CategoryTotal: | -368.13 | ||
| CommissioningExpenses | -419.59 | ||
| Employment:Salary& Wages | -9,000.00 | ||
| Gift:Other | -42.94 | ||
| Insurance:Trustees Insurance | -114.00 | ||
| patrol supplies | -172.00 | ||
| Taxes:Income Tax | -8.95 | ||
| Telephone | -162.96 | ||
| Training | -394.70 | ||
| Uniforms | -56.00 | ||
| Total Expenses | -13,578.42 | ||
| Total: 9,094.55 |