THE Saddleworth Street Pastor Team has officially “graduated” and is to make its first official patrol on Whit Friday, June 14.

They will be around Uppermill during the evening ready to chat and help anyone who needs practical assistance.

In a service at Brunswick Church, Manchester, alongside members of other Street Pastor teams from Greater Manchester on Saturday (May 4), they were presented with their certificates by the Rev Les Isaac, the founder of the Street Pastor Initiative.

The service marked the end of a training course which has included preparation in basic Street First Aid, listening skills and youth culture.

The Street Pastors Initiative was formed in 2003 in Brixton, London when Rev Les Isaac saw the problems on the streets and felt that local church members should act to make a difference in their local communities.

There are now more than 200 Street Pastor Teams and 15,000 volunteers have undergone training.

The first team in Greater Manchester was established in Moss Side in 2004 and there are now teams operating across the area including Failsworth, Chadderton, Stalybridge, Bury and Rochdale.

Initially, The Saddleworth team will be working alongside members of other Street pastor teams. Its aim is to have people on the streets on Friday and Saturday evenings and during village events such as Yanks weekend. It will be based in Uppermill but will have the flexibility to go to other villages when the need arises.

A spokesperson said: "This is an exciting time for the Churches of Saddleworth who have been working together for nearly two years in order to establish the Street Pastor team.

"If you would like to know more, please e mail saddleworth@streetpastors.org.uk or check out the website: www.streetpastors.org."