STREET pastors in Tavistock are among those who have been presented with the 'Thriving Communities' award at the Devon Community Foundation's 'Volunteer of the Year' evening. 

Martha Wilkinson, chief executive of Devon Community Foundation, said judges were looking for a 'group or organisation that embodied volunteers extending a helping hand to vulnerable people, and making a real difference to the quality of life where they work'.

She said: 'The street pastors do this throughout our Devon communities.  They help to keep our streets a safer, supportive and less lonely place to be, and it has been amazing to watch the outstanding difference they have made. Congratulations to the street pastors on this well-deserved award.'

Tavistock street pastor local co-ordinator Rob Palmer told the Times: 'We are delighted to be honoured with this award and as a volunteer group its also great to be recognised as being able to make a difference in some way in our local community.'

They shared the award with other street pastor groups operating in 12 towns and cities across Devon. 

The group in Tavistock has been running for more than three years and now involves more than 60 volunteers from seven different churches in the area.

The trained street pastors take turns to patrol the central area of Tavistock on Friday and Saturday evenings, starting at 10pm and usually finishing by 2am. 

The group's ethos is to 'care, listen and help.'  Sometimes, the first-aid training received by these volunteers proves to be valuable, but often they can help by just offering a listening ear as someone shares their troubles. 

They are also becoming well-known for the flip-flops they offer to women struggling with uncomfortable high-heels at the end of a long evening. 

These patrols help to change the atmosphere on the late-night streets, and police statistics show a reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour in all the locations where street pastors are operating. 

Tavistock street pastors have started to run patrols at Tavistock College every Wednesday.  These engage with young people as they head home at the end of the school day, offering a caring presence and help if needed. 

The group has received support from the Police Property Fund and Activistock.