Trustees’ Report Coventry Street Pastors, April 2022- March 2023
This is the trustees’ report for Coventry Street Pastors, and the unaudited financial statement, as at 31st March 2023
The Trustees and Management Committee. –
This year was the eighth year of patrolling, however, due to the pandemic causing a change in people’s behaviours, the roles and responsibilities of the teams continue to change to accommodate the requests put forward.
The trustees and management committee of Coventry Street Pastors has changed with the retirement of Pastor Etomi as chair to be replaced by Rev Dexter Bracey, he also remains as Bishop’s representative. Steve Elton and Janet Powell have also joined the trustees and serve alongside Pastor Asif Gil and Jain Galliford. Susan Jessop from the Salvation Army has moved from a member of the committee to trustee. The new trustees bring with them organisational skills, administrative skills and also media knowledge. This has strengthened the team and will allow us to become more visible within the city., The liaison officers from the police changed to Sgt Neil Saunders, with CPSO Will Ellis continuing. Liam Nagle remained as Coventry Council liaison. Isabel McIntyre remains as coordinator and covers treasurer, overseen by the committee.
Street Pastors continue to be a welcome addition to the nighttime economy, approved by the council and the police. Over the last 12 months, the police have thanked the pastors for dealing with situations which would have removed officers from duties for long periods, eg revellers with mental health problems or minor injuries from disturbances.
The pastors have continued to visit schools to pass on the message of street pastors, and discuss safety with students. Janet Powell, a new trustee is a recently retired teacher and has a good understanding of what is required.
The coordinator continues to attend the Pub watch meetings, as well as the council’s Night Time Economy steering group meetings. This forum makes decisions on the future of the nighttime economy in the city, and also looks at issues such as safety, cleanliness, collaborative working between agencies and other subjects. As an initiative which is “on the streets at night”, any feedback given is listened to.
The charity continues to promote the work of the Street Pastors in all enterprises it is involved in.
Street Pastor Numbers, Training and Commissioning.
Street Pastors has, over the last six months begun recruiting, with a view to training in September. There is still a shortage of pastors which has, unfortunately, meant that on 5 occasions during the
Registered Charity Number 1169218.
year, there were no patrols. This issue is now resolving itself, with the present pastors taking on extra shifts.
Events
Coventry’s City of Culture continued until May 2022 which meant that the patrols were out at other times than usual. We attended the Christmas Light switch on, as well as Easter morning services at Coventry Cathedral
Patrols
As stated above, patrols have been difficult to manage, but the teams are now working together and there is a return to normality. Last year we commented on the number of calls made to us regarding mental health issues, and this continues to be the case.
Examples of situations
Older male in Burgess, deaf but with hearing aids and bsl being harangued by 2 older drunk men. We stayed to act as a barrier. One of them thanked us for what we do and gave us £10. In pot
Called to locate D who had been ejected from The Yard, drunk and aggressive. Had collapsed in Hartford Street. Found him at Cozy Club, He became coherent and not aggressive, more concerned he'd lost his phone. We'd just met people who'd found a phone and told them to hand it in at Yard, but they didn't. We stayed until he seemed ok. Arley arrived and stayed with him whilst we went to check on Charlotte.
Returned to check on Charlotte as she seemed vulnerable. She said youths on scooters had ridden past several times throwing things and shouting abuse. We stayed for 15 minutes but no further problems. Oscar base agreed to keep an eye on her
Katerina was causing problems at Heat as she wanted to get in and they had already ejected her. We were asked by door staff to see if we could shepherd her away. She was reacting badly to her husband. She was staring intently in an unnerving manner - even door staff agreed. Eventually we got her as far as Shelton Square, but she then returned and we had to start again. She went off again with her husband. We left and then heard on the radio she was trying to get into The Yard. There was a suggestion that her demeanour could possibly be from Spice - but have no idea.
Male found by police on Spon street sat by a bin. He was intoxicated we came and assisted the police, got him off the floor and let the police go. We helped him toward the taxis and he came across an old work colleague who was happy to give him a lift home. Helped him to the car and got his address for the guy to know where he was going.
Noticed an incident happening on the wall by the carpark on Spon Street the police were in attendance so we assisted. Found a female (Liv) was on the grass complaining of pain to the jaw in tears. We called for arley medical to attend as it was a query jaw dislocation. Helped her to the ambo and talked to her family members to reassure them that we was not there to get anyone in trouble, only there to help those in need. They were presently surprised to hear that we are volunteers and not paid.
Called by the Yard to help a man who had collapsed whilst talking to them. He was in the bus stop by the Spire. There were a few people trying to help him, they had recently met him at a funeral. He was slumped on the seat and non verbal. One of the people there was trying to get him upright, and we eventually elicited that he was Type 2 diabetic, had not taken his tablets and had a lot of beer. One of the women was talking to her daughter inlaw on the phone, the man, E- niece. There was no one to fetch him- me being told we were paramedics and were responsible for getting him home. Eventually, after 10 mins we called Arley. We got him into the ambulance and left. I know that Arley took him to hospital, as I saw them returning to the city on my way home.
DJ, having panic attack and in tears on Sky Dome as his phone wasn't working and he had lost his friend. Sat with him until h is phone charged and then rang the friend. Turned out the friend had gone home to Corley. With the help of Genting staff we got him into a taxi and on his way to Corley/
Registered Charity Number 1169218.
Met 2 men in lower precinct - one told his friend that we were the city's angels - looking after everyone. They also pointed out a young girl on her own in the upper precinct. We went up but she had gone when we got there.
Funding
We continue to be funded by the police and council under various names, this year there have been no issues covering costs but we will continue to look for new funding streams to ensure stabilisation of income in the future.
Conclusion
Over the last year Coventry Street Pastors has continued to fulfil their obligations to the police, the council and those enjoying the night time economy by providing a service on Friday and Saturday night, ensuring that people are safe and enjoy themselves.
Now that we are stabilising numbers we are beginning to look to the future, to ways that we can help the city move forward and become a thriving city for revellers.
As stated last year, Coventry will be undergoing a large redevelopment project, meaning that venues will be closed, and others relocated. Due to external factors this has been postponed until 2024 therefore we will continue to patrol as usual, and then re assess our position at the appropriate time.
Although we have lost many street pastors, they are still part of the family and continue to pray for us when we are out, and those that remain continue to support each other both inside and outside the project.
We continue to believe our mission is to be part of the city, to look after and help those we meet and to be Jesus’ hands and feet on the street.
Fr. Dexter Bracy
Chair 2022/2023
Registered Charity Number 1169218.
Registered Charity Number 1169218.
Net Worth Report
Account: All Accounts
Net Worth at: 01/04/2023 (in GB Pounds)
| Bank | ||
|---|---|---|
| AT CURRENT ACCOUNT | 0.00 | |
| CSPI CURRENT ACCOUNT | 14,195.77 | |
| PETTY CASH | 0.00 | |
| Royal Bank Of Scotland | 463.06 | |
| Bank Total | 14,658.83 | |
| Investments | ||
| Investment Total | 0.00 | |
| Assets | ||
| DEBTORS ACCOUNT | 145.00 | |
| Asset Total | 145.00 | |
| CreditCard | ||
| Credit Card Total | 0.00 | |
| Liabilities | ||
| AT FEE | 0.00 | |
| SALARY COORDINATOR | 0.00 | |
| Liability Total | 0.00 | |
| Overall Total: 14,803.83 |
Notes on income/expenditure.
The Stronger Communities funding will not show £12,000 because of the way it is allocated. The third quarter arrives in April/May, so there may be 2021-2022 money showing in 2022-2023.
Income and Expense by Category
From 01/04/2022 to 01/04/2023 (in GB Pounds)
| Category (Income) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations | 1,631.28 | ||
| Income:Interest Received | 126.83 | ||
| Stronger Communities Grant | 11,933.26 | ||
| Taxes:Income Tax | 145.00 | ||
| Total Income | 13,836.37 | ||
| Category (Expense) | |||
| AT Licence Fee | -1,657.65 | ||
| Bus. Expenses | -449.99 | ||
| Bus. Expenses:DBS | -551.75 | ||
| Bus. Expenses:Other Expenses | -302.40 | ||
| CategoryTotal: | -1,304.14 | ||
| Employment:Salary& Wages | -9,000.55 | ||
| Gifts | -47.49 | ||
| Groceries | -22.44 | ||
| Insurance:Trustees Insurance | -114.00 | ||
| Misc Exp | -32.50 | ||
| patrol supplies | -520.80 | ||
| Stationery | -61.92 | ||
| Training | -100.00 | ||
| Uniforms | -243.80 | ||
| Total Expenses | -13,105.29 | ||
| Total: 731.08 |