FLIP-FLOPS, bottles of water and a safe refuge will soon be provided for the vulnerable in Billericay late at night, when so-called street pastors start to patrol its thoroughfares later this year.
Resident and former police officer Phil Norton, 48, made the announcement at a Neighbourhood Watch meeting at Billericay Town Football Club, in Blunts Wall Road.
Under the scheme, which already operates in Brentwood, those who find themselves in trouble in the street through drink, drugs or any other reason will be given a helping hand.
The pastors will work on Friday and Saturday nights, giving support as well as providing bottles of water, finding people a safe way to get home and giving women who are struggling with high-heeled shoes flip-flops to protect their feet.
Mr Norton, a father of three, also told residents about the Basildon SOS Bus, which provides a safe refuge and place to help those finding themselves in need.
The bus is usually stationed at the Festival Leisure Park in Basildon but he wants it to be used in Billericay too.
Mr Norton, who has lived in Billericay for 26 years, works part time for both Southend YMCA and the Open Road Centre in Colchester.
He told the Gazette this week why he wanted to get involved in the street pastors scheme.
"I wanted to use my skills and start to help out in the community," he said.
"The ethos is to be out and about trying to find people that are vulnerable – it may be because they are drunk, have taken drugs or are lost.
"It's not just about religion – it's about just being there for people and helping them out in their time of need.
"We're not there to judge – we know people will get into trouble but when they do we will make sure we will do something for them and get them home safely.
"Billericay High Street will be getting busier and busier at night with pubs and bars opening later – there will be quite a lot of people in our High Street.
"We won't just be for young people it's for everyone that we find that's in need."
He added: "Street pastors will have to go through at least 10 different training seminars which will help them deal with what they will find."
The pastor operation will be run out of St Mary's Church on High Street, where people can come to find a safe refuge.
It will also be the site of the prayer base where those who find themselves in trouble will be prayed for by a team of volunteers.
Mr Norton, who was a member of Billericay Baptist Church for 25 years and who now goes to the town's Christian Growth Centre, said: "It will be like the SOS bus in a church.
"We will have a safe quiet place with tea, coffee and water.
"We have a support team with different churches including Emmanuel Church, Christ Church, Billericay Baptist Church, the Christian Growth Centre and Billericay Methodist Church – they are all up for it."
Training for the street pastors will be starting in the coming weeks and the initiative will start in September. The voluntary team will work with police, pubs, bars and residents in the town.
Reverend Warner Pidgeon, of Christ Church on Perry Street, was keen to get involved in the project.
He said: "Having seen what a difference it can make in a local community in other areas and having heard local police and councillors in other areas talk so highly of street pastors, I think it's a good thing.
"When I spent an evening out with Chelmsford street pastors I was bowled over by what great work they do and how supportive and how impressed the local police and door staff were."
A launch event will be held at 7.30pm on June 14 at St Mary'.
For more information on how to become a street pastor you can contact Mr Norton at noisyphil@gmail.com
