Supporting Nightlife: How Kingston Street Pastors Make a Difference

The Kingston Street Pastors, a group of trained volunteers from local churches, patrol the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights, with an additional patrol of two Friday afternoons per month. Their mission is to offer practical support, care, and reassurance to anyone in need. Whether it’s providing water, flip-flops, or space blankets, or offering emotional support and first aid, they play a vital role in keeping the community safe.

Kingston Street Pastors have also partnered with PRYZM Kingston to promote safer nights out through the Behave Or Be Barred (BOBB) scheme. This initiative aims to reduce anti-social behaviour and create a safer environment for everyone enjoying Kingston’s nightlife.

The BOBB scheme bars individuals who engage in violent or disruptive behaviour from PRYZM and other venues. For a second chance, BOBBs will spend a night with the Street Pastors to witness the impact of such behaviour, promoting responsibility and deterring repeat offences. It offers restorative justice, allowing individuals to give back to the community and gain insight into the town’s nightlife challenges and the struggles of the less fortunate.

Stephan Currie, manager of PRYZM Kingston, has praised the Street Pastors for their ongoing support, highlighting the difference they make in Kingston’s nightlife:

“I have been working in Kingston for the past 8 years, and I learnt very quickly that they were a major asset to the nighttime economy - another set of eyes looking out for our guests and making sure they are safe, and then bringing help should it be required. 

I have never had to add a second ban to anyone who has taken part in this scheme. It opens a dialogue and allows the guests to see a human side to the decisions we make.” 

To find out more about the Street Pastors and the work they do, please visit their Facebook page. 

If you are interested in volunteering as part of the service, email kingstonstreetpastors@gmail.com.