Scottish Christian.com

Home > News > Scottish Christian News Monitor

Life and Work takes to the streets

The August issue of the Church of Scotland's magazine Life and Work features the work of Street Pastors in Perth on a Saturday night.

Jackie Macadam accompanies a former police officer and an accountant as they set out for a night on the streets.

This growing movement was set up in England by the Ascension Trust to look at ways individuals from churches could help in tackling neighbourhood problems, engaging with people out on the streets and in night time venues, to care, listen, talk and offer practical help. There are three teams of street pastors currently in Scotland in Aberdeen, Perth and Inverness.

A benign hurricane

August's profile features May Nicholson, a former alcoholic, who now runs a centre in Govan supported by her own charitable trust. Nicholson, who turned her back on alcohol when she was dramatically converted to Christianity, set up the Preshal Trust which operates from premises in Govan. "We are here to help the community heal the community," she says. From its base in a brick built hall and support staff in two shipping containers at the side, Preshal provides educational opportunities, craft sessions, first aid groups and the chance for some of the most disadvantaged people in the area to socialise and be supported in a safe place.

Full story at the Church of Scotland.