Carlisle’s Street Pastors will hang up their hats after 14 years on New Year’s Day as the long-running project comes to a close.
The group announced in October that it would be closing in 2025 following their final night out on New Year’s Eve.
Kathy Howe, area coordinator, said that there has been a ‘perfect storm’ of reasons that have led to the decision to stop their work which includes difficulties recruiting people, volunteers leaving, and fewer people going on a night out in the city centre.
READ MORE: Carlisle Street Pastors announces they will stop operating
She said: “Recruitment recently has been impossible.
“We just can’t get more people, which means that people who leave at the other end because of a number of reasons, perfectly valid ones, our numbers have dropped. And we’ve got to a point where we’re just barely viable.
“In addition to that, we’ve also discovered a big difference in the night-time economy in the city, particularly since COVID.
“The night-time economy is so different that we just feel that our time has come.”
Street pastors are part of a national network of Christian charities who go out in various towns and cities at the weekend to provide support to people enjoying the clubs, pubs, and bars.
READ MORE: We joined Carlisle’s Street Pastors for their penultimate evening
The Carlisle group has been there for people in the city on a Saturday night who are in need of practical help but also emotional support since 2010.
On a given night, the volunteers might hand out flip-flops to people whose feet hurt, listen to someone share what’s on their mind, give water to people who have had too much to drink, or even collect litter to prevent it from being used as a weapon.
David Howe, one of the volunteers, said: “Just our presence here will help people because they know there is someone looking out for them. You’re there for people. You may not talk to them, but you’re there for them if they want.
Kathy added: “We’ve been doing it for 14 years and nothing is meant to last forever. There’s a season for everything and we’ve had our season, it’s time to call a halt.”