On a whim, I recently decided I would like to hold a photographic exhibition to showcase some of my photos. This is something I did once before (back in 2008), but back then all I produced were the actual framed pictures. No text, no context, nothing. This time I want to support a charity that is very important to me. How many of you have heard of street pastors? Some of you may have come across them in the city centre, and have thought of them as nothing more than people giving out flip flops. But there’s more to them than that.
Street Pastors is defined as being an inter-denominational Church response to urban problems, engaging with people on the streets to care, listen and dialogue. It was pioneered in London in January 2003 by Rev Les Isaac, Director of the Ascension Trust, and has seen some remarkable results, including drops in crime in areas where teams have been working. There are now some 11000 trained volunteers in around 250 teams around the United Kingdom. Each city/town project is set up by Ascension Trust and run by a local coordinator with support from Ascension Trust and local churches and community groups, in partnership with Police, Council and other statutory agencies.
There are now seventeen cities or towns with Street Pastor initiatives across Scotland, plus teams for festivals like Rockness and also the Commonwealth Games. Within Inverness there are three areas that have teams: city centre, Hilton and Merkinch. I lead a street pastors team once a month in Hilton, where flip flops aren’t required. It’s about being there for people to talk to; to provide a listening ear; to be there for young people who feel themselves to be excluded and marginalised and to be with them wherever they are – be it on the streets, in a pub, or at parties.
The exhibition is currently on display in Great Glen House, Inverness. Opening hours are 9-5, Monday-Friday.
Framed photograph ……………………… £20
6” x 6” card ……….…….. £3.50
Please note that copyright and all intellectual property rights of purchased images remains with me, the photographer. 50% of all sales will go to the Street Pastor initiative in Inverness.
https://www.facebook.com/NessPastors
http://www.streetpastors.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/energeticepistle
If you would like to buy a framed print or cards, please contact me at https://www.facebook.com/energeticepistle
Ellie's Energetic Epistle 