Local churches in Stowmarket set up Town Pastors in 2009 to care for vulnerable people, including those affected by alcohol and/or anti-social behaviour. Our main aim is simply to serve people, showing concern and offering practical help in a non-judgemental and unconditional way. Working in partnership with the Town Council and Police, we seek to be a positive influence; at present on Friday and sometimes other evenings.

Stowmarket Town Pastors focus on all vulnerable people, albeit mostly, to respond to the needs of 10-17 year olds who gather in the town and recreation ground between 8pm and midnight. Care includes providing water and other assistance, diffusing potentially volatile situations, removing dangerous items and just trying to ensure that folk have a safe evening out and are able to get home. We provide a listening ear and a presence of friendliness and calm on the streets.

As well as building up relationships with the young people and any others we meet, we are also appreciated as an influence for peace in the town by pub and club landlords, late night workers and the police. Our statistics show that we have removed many potentially dangerous items (glasses/bottles, engaged with hundreds of young people, accompanied folk from or to the station (and onto the right train) and called parents to collect distressed children or even a taxi to take them home.