- SHETLAND STREET PASTORS ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT 2024 - 2025
“CARING, LISTENING, HELPING”
HOW DID WE START? HOW DID WE START?
In 2022, The Salvation Army and Shetland Church of Scotland were approached by the local chief inspector for Police Scotland in Shetland and asked to look into starting Street Pastors. Over the summer that year, there had been a number of incidents in Lerwick on weekend evenings, and the issue of antisocial behaviour had become a significant concern for the council and community.
The Chief Inspector had seen the positive impact of Street Pastors in his previous posting and felt strongly that the initiative would have a similarly positive impact here. The hope was that Street Pastors would be part of a broad response, building positive relationships with those in and around the town centre at night to ensure that it was a safe and enjoyable place to visit and live.
A TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS FROM LOCAL CHURCHES WAS FORMED TO INVESTIGATE THE POSIBILITY OF STREET PASTORS IN SHETLAND. WE SPOKE WITH A NUMBER OF POTENTIAL PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS TO FIND OUT WHETHER THEY WOULD SUPPORT THE LAUNCH OF STREET PASTORS HERE. THESE INCLUDED:
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Shetland Islands Council Social Work Youth Services Councilors
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NHS
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OPEN Youth Project
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Licensed premises Recovery Hub Women’s Aid
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.
“We think this is a good idea because we feel it is needed for young people’s safety and security on weekend nights. We believe our community will be safer with the Street Pastors present.” OPEN Youth Project, Shetland
TIMELINE TIMELINE
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Approached by Police. Raise awareness with local churches to
Form team. develop support for the project.
27th June
Autumn 2022 2022-23 2023-24
2024
Investigate viability and practicalities with Become a
local groups and Ascension Trust Scotland. registered charity.
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CONTEXT CONTEXT
LOCALY,
our regular weekly patrols will be in Lerwick town centre. However, we have chosen the name “Shetland Street Pastors” as we want to offer support to all communities across Shetland, not just Lerwick.
NATIONALY, WE ARE PART OF A GROWING FAMILY OF STREET PASTOR INITIATIVES WHICH ARE OVERSEEN AND SUPPORTED BY
THE ASCENSION TRUST (SCOTLAND)
In Lerwick, there are a number of user groups that use the town centre on a Saturday night, including: shift workers, people on nights out, young adults, young people (under 18s), tourists, taxi and bus drivers, ferry crew, restaurant/bar/take-away staff, emergency services, and residents of the area.
Charity number SC041912
GOVERNANCE & FINANCES GOVERNANCE & FINANCES
Shetland Street Pastors is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), goverened by a constitution.
OUR TRUSTEES
Ms Ellen Griffiths Weir
Chair
Mrs Beverley Womersley Mr Colin Black
Mr Lee Williamson Rev Michelle McAdoo Mr Martin Tregonning
Secretary Treasurer, until September 2024 until September 2024 until September 2024 Treasurer, appointed October 2024
We are indebted to Colin, Lee and Michelle (who stepped down in September 2024 for a variety of personal reasons) for being such an essential part of getting the charity started. After their departure, we were delighted to welcome Martin as our treasurer and are grateful for the experience he brings to this role. Recruitment of additional trustees is ongoing.
OUR FUNDS
Income for 2024-25 (£) Donations - 500 Donations in Kind - 35 Total - 535
Expenses for 2024-25 (£) None
Funds at 30th June 2025 (£) - 500
THIS YEAR, WE HAVE... THIS YEAR, WE HAVE...
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VISITED 9 SHETLAND CHURCHES TO CONNECT WITH POTENTIAL VOLUNTEERS AND SUPPORTERS
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RUN 2 INFORMATION EVENTS TO SHARE MORE DETAILS WITH POTENTIAL VOLUNTEERS
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SAFELY RECRUITED 6 NEW TRAINEES AND 2 EXPERIENCED STREET PASTORS
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APPLIED FOR A GRANT AND RECEIVED DONATIONS TO BEGIN TO FUND OUR START-UP COSTS
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REGULARLY ATTENDED THE MEETINGS OF SHETLAND ISLAND COUNCIL’S PROTECTION IN THE COMMUNITY COMMITTEE TO ENSURE OUR SERVICES AND WORK ARE WELL-INTEGRATED INTO THE LOCAL CONTEXT
“It was really good to hear about this work and [we] really hope it can move forward and gain lots of interest.” Member of the Protection in the Community Committee
“I am fully supportive of this from a policing perspective and have been involved with the Street Pastors in Glasgow about 10 years ago, so fully aware of the amazing work that can be achieved.” Stuart Clemenson, recent Chief Inspector for Shetland
LOOKING AHEAD LOOKING AHEAD
OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, WE LOOK FORWARD TO TRAINING OUR NEW RECRUITS AND GETTING READY TO LAUNCH OUR FIRST PATROLS; CARING FOR, LISTENING TO, AND HELPING OUR COMMUNITIES IN LERWICK AND AROUND SHETLAND...
...making Lerwick town centre a safer and more enjoyable place to socialise for young people and adults, and a more peaceful place to live for residents.
...providing reassurance to those whose loved ones are using the area, that there will be trained people on hand to look out for them and help if needed.
...offering reassurance and safety to participants and organisers of community events away from Lerwick town centre, across the length and breadth of Shetland
WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED… WE’RE JUST GETTING STARTED…
SHETLAND STREET PASTORS
82 St Olaf Street, Lerwick, Shetland ZE1 0ES shetland@streetpastors.org.uk Scottish Charity SC053471