By Sarah Robinson

Published at 11:13, Thursday, 05 July 2012

ARMED with flip-flops, bottled water and first aid supplies, a team of volunteers is set to patrol Whitehaven’s streets at night.

HAVEN SAINTS: Some of the volunteers set to take part in the initiative where they will patrol Whitehaven town centre on nights out at the weekends. Back, Peter Milburn, Peter Campbell, Jason Farrell and Anita Callow; front, Jackie Harkison, Maggie Whittaker and Scott Waddington.

A new initiative called Haven Saints is being set up which involves volunteers from different churches helping people in the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights. They will be on the streets between 10pm and 3am the next morning.

In red and navy reflective jackets, volunteers will work in pairs or threes and will carry rucksacks with essential items including first aid supplies and bottle spikeys to prevent drinks being spiked.

One of the organisers Anita Callow said: “We are not there to break up trouble, we are there to give support and point people in the right direction. If someone wants to know why we are doing it and what we believe in, we’ll tell them. It’s about working with the community, for the community, and putting something back into the community.”

The volunteers are being trained up to provide first aid and aim to tackle issues such as dehydration and helping when people become separated from their friends.

The initiative is being launched on September 14 at Whitehaven Civic Hall and the walkabouts will begin the first weekend in October.

The project is being sponsored by local businesses and is backed by Cumbria Police.

Sgt Ashley Bennett, from Copeland Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “In other areas of the country, schemes similar to this one do an amazing job in assisting the police, licensees and door staff to help a wide range of people who are socialising at the weekends.

“They are able to provide a conciliatory and calming influence within towns whilst providing support and assistance to those who may be feeling vulnerable. This also allows police officers to concentrate more on dealing with any alcohol fuelled drunken disorder and other criminal activities.

“We are looking forward to working with the group to help making going out for a night a more crime free and overall safer experience for all,” he added.

Initially volunteers will go out either Friday or Saturday nights with the hope of covering both nights each weekend once the project is established.

Volunteers and committee members are from numerous churches including Elim, the Salvation Army, the United Reformed Church, New Life Church, St Andrew’s at Mirehouse and St John’s at Hensingham.

One of the volunteers, Peter Milburn attends the Elim church. He said: “We are taking the church out, where it needs to be, on to the streets.”

Another volunteer, Maggie Whittaker, also from Elim church, said: “As a mum who has a son, now grown up, I’m aware of what goes on on nights out. I know that young people can get separated or have no money to get home and they don’t know what to do. It’s a vulnerable position to be in. Because I know about these issues, second hand, when I heard about this initiative I decided it was something I wanted to get involved in.”

Scott Waddington, of New Life Church, said he has helped a number of people in town who have needed to get taxis or have needed other help. “It’s just instinctive – if someone needs help, you just do it. That’s why I wanted to do this,” he said.

The scheme is affiliated to the national Christian Night Initiative and is similar to the street pastors scheme, currently running in Carlisle.

Training will be provided for volunteers including first aid, working with Starting Point about alcohol and drugs issues and training from the police.

Organisers are also looking for volunteers to help with other aspects of the project.

Fundraising is set to take place throughout the summer to pay for the supplies and uniforms. To get involved, contact Anita Callow on 01946 590299.

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk