Taxi queues build outside bars and friends search for each other along crowded pavements as venues in Old Town prepare to close.
Among the crowds is a small group in blue jackets. They are not police officers or door staff. They are Street Pastors.
The volunteers patrol Swindon between 10pm and around 3am, offering support to people who may be vulnerable, lost or struggling after a night out.
The local Swindon team is led by Dr Stephen Brooke, a retired Swindon GP who now coordinates the town’s Street Pastor volunteers.
“We have a team of about 15 volunteers,” he told Swindon24.
“Each of us commits to spend one evening a month on patrol. We usually go out in teams of four.”
Their patrols often begin in Town before moving into Old Town, where most late-night venues are based.
Street Pastors do not enforce rules or intervene in venue operations. Their focus is practical help and reassurance.
“As a team we look out for people who are vulnerable or at risk, and people who may have had too much to drink,” Dr Brooke explained.
“We help people get home safely, give out water, supply flip-flops if someone has lost their shoes, help if someone is sick, or simply talk to someone who has become separated from their friends.”
He said each shift is different.
“Every night is a bit different,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s not very busy and we have time just to bring a calm atmosphere to the streets, which we think we do.”
While the volunteers avoid confrontation, there have been occasions where their presence has helped prevent situations from escalating.
Dr Brooke described one incident involving two men.
“One had mental health problems and the other had clearly been drinking too much,” he said.
“Because we had already spoken to the person who was drinking and formed some rapport, we were able to step in and separate them.”
“That’s not something we normally do, but in that situation someone might have been badly injured if we hadn’t been there.”
Street Pastors began in London in 2003 and have since expanded to towns and cities across the UK. The initiative is supported by local churches, with volunteers undergoing training before joining patrols.
Dr Brooke said police nationally report that areas with Street Pastor patrols often see noticeable reductions in crime during late-night hours.
In Swindon, he said the response from those enjoying the town’s nightlife has been largely positive.
“A lot of people ask what a Street Pastor is, so we explain what we do,” he said.
“Sometimes people come up and say we helped them a year or two ago and that it really made a difference.”
“We also get people who simply say ‘you’re doing a good job’.”
Despite this, the local team is smaller than organisers would like.
Around 40 volunteers would be needed to run teams regularly on Friday and Saturday nights. At present, there are 15.
New recruits complete training over three weekends before joining patrols. The group works closely with local police and the council.
“Our greatest need is people,” Dr Brooke said.
“People who are willing to give up one night a month to help others.”
For those already involved, he said the reason for volunteering is straightforward.
“We work as a team, we look after each other, and we try to look after the town as well.”
“And sometimes just being there makes all the difference.”
If you want to become a volunteer Street Pastor you can find out more here.
