As I am sure almost everyone in the UK is aware, the 2012 Games are drawing very close, we have heard of many Street Pastors asking how they might become involved and utilise their invaluable skills and experience either locally or particularly in London Boroughs. Well I would like to encourage and share with you a great opportunity we have both to serve our communities and also grow our Street Pastor Groups.

More Than Gold are forming ‘Games Pastor’ Teams, these Teams will serve visitors and local communities in the lead up to and during the Games and Paralympics 2012. This is across the UK close to all venues, sailing in Weymouth to Football in Glasgow, predominantly London Boroughs will be the busiest where we will see most deployed. Street Pastors are partnering with other organisations and assisting in delivering the training for the Games Pastors, the training is also a useful development on that given to Street Pastors presently.

The opportunity comes for Street Pastors to join in as Games Pastors, leading and mentoring the More Than Gold Teams. It is initially expected that around 1,000 volunteers will sign up, several already are in the role of ‘Street Pastor’ and are taking on leadership and other roles as ‘Games Pastors’ just for 2012. This is where the great opportunity comes in for Street Pastors, as in September 2012 the More Than Gold Team disbands and is seeking the continued use of all the volunteers recruited in communities, being a legacy from the 2012 Games. This could be as members of your ‘Street Pastor Group’, the potential is to recruit many of these 1,000+ volunteers so that their skills, training and experience can be transferred into supporting your communities as Street Pastors.

For more info and to sign up interest in Games Pastors please visit the More Than Gold website.

Eustace