On the streets of Cambridge, along with many other cities in the UK, Street Pastors patrol every Saturday night from 10pm to 3am in and around the city centre, whatever the weather.  (Prior to the pandemic, we also patrolled Fridays but are currently rebuilding our team).

The team of 3 or 4 wear a uniform with blue caps and luminous STREET PASTORS lettering, so we are very easy to spot. All street pastors in Cambridge carry ID cards which identify them as being part of the organisation.

Our aim is to keep an eye out for anyone in need and offer assistance to anyone in any kind of need without judgement.  We keep in touch with door staff, police, paramedics and CCTV, by radio which links to the Street Pastors  in case people need them.  

If anyone is sick, upset, lost, lonely, worse for wear or needs to talk, Street Pastors can be easily found or contacted. We stay with people until they are ready to move on or until further help arrives and often on Saturdays we can encourage or help people along to NightLite, a Safe Space, to recover or wait in safety. We are in contact with the emergency services including paramedics should they be required. 

Our purpose is to be a reassuring presence on the streets - we do not intervene in the fights which occasionally occur but we know our calming presence has helped avoid many conflicts. We are there to help in any way we can and offer practical and non-judgemental caring, listening and help to anyone. 
 

Follow-up help

We carry information on a range of agencies that provide help of different kinds, and anyone can continue a conversation the next day by contacting the Street Pastors Coordinator via phone or email. 

If you need us while we are on patrol ask any door supervisor or police officer who can contact the patrol via their CAMBAC radio, or contact us here.
 

NightLite

On many Saturday nights, we also run NightLite 'safe space' in Downing Place United Reformed Church from 10pm to 3am.  

This safe space offers a place to wait, chat, recharge your phone, receive assistance, sleep or just use the loo! All the Street Pastor and NightLite volunteers are from Christian churches and want to demonstrate the unconditional nature of God's love through caring, listening and helping the Cambridge night time scene. 

Our volunteers will only share their personal faith if they are asked.

Have fun - and we are here to help keep you safe.