On 18th October 2019, we joined forces with established, local law firm Ellis & Co.
Ellis & Co Solicitors pride themselves on being friendly and approachable, and we were delighted to find that they share the same Corporate Social Responsibility Values as Oliver & Co, and have a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the local community.
Earlier this week, we spoke to Linda Jenyon and Jim Ellis from Ellis & Co, who gave us an insight into the work they do with Street Pastors and School Pastors- an organisation where unpaid volunteers gather from local churches who have a passion for the community and youth.
In Chester, Street Pastors work, every Friday and Saturday night, during the night-time economy hours (from 10pm to 3am), supporting vulnerable people.
Their ethos is to listen, to care and to provide practical help and support to people. They are non-judgemental and non-discriminatory. They are fully endorsed, locally, by the Christian faith community, the police, the council and the night-time economy.
Jim quotes, “It is an interesting, and occasionally challenging, role. I guess these days everybody knows somebody who knows somebody who has been helped by street pastors, so there is a degree of ‘credibility’ and the service we offer seems to be generally appreciated. The local organisation would be very grateful of support, I’m sure, as it relies entirely upon voluntary contributions.”
As well as being part of the Management team for the charity, Linda from Ellis & Co co-ordinates School Pastors.
Cheshire West School Pastors are a part of the same charity, and are unpaid volunteers who have a passion for young people in their community, offering a reassuring and friendly presence to students in school working to enhance the safety and emotional and social well-being of pupils through listening, caring and helping.
Linda explains, “There are 9 volunteers who go into Ellesmere Port Church of England College. We support the pupils and school with a range of activities such as a reading program for struggling readers, listening and low level mentoring for pupils referred by their teacher etc, attend all kinds of school events such as special assemblies, prayer spaces, trips out and we support some lessons in RE when asked to do so – and anything else the school wants us to do.
I attend school on a Friday morning for 2 hours as a volunteer for the pupils and also co-ordinate everything else to do with the ministry and get paid 6 hours a week to do this. I am also on the management team for the whole of the ministry including Street Pastor and Response Pastors.”
A School Pastor is someone who is:-
- A bridge builder who promotes good relations
- A good listener who is willing to lend an ear
- A good example, by being a positive role model
- Understands another person’s perspective
- A true giver of both time and love
If you would like more information on how to become part of The Street Pastors or School Pastors charity, you can click the links below:
https://streetpastors.org/locations/chester/
https://streetpastors.org/locations/chester/schoolpastors/
Alternatively, you can email Linda to find out more about Cheshire West School Pastors on: schoolpastors@chester.streetpastors.org.uk
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