Listening, caring, helping — and 20,000 lollipops: Street Pastors mark ten years with new service
Last updated 4th Sep 2026
The co-ordinator of the Borders Street Pastors is opening up about the work of the volunteers as they prepare to celebrate ten years of "listening, caring and helping".
Duncan Cameron says their weekly patrols began in response to concerns about people getting home safely — following the death of a man in Galashiels a decade ago.
Since then, the team has grown to more than 20 trained volunteers, with patrols now taking place in towns across the Borders.
And their work has expanded to include some of the region's biggest sporting events and summer festivals - with more than 200 pairs of flipflops handed out on Ladies Day at Kelso Races last year.
"It's been quite a journey over the last 10 years," Duncan told Greatest Hits Radio.
"At first folk didn't realise who we are, but as they gradually get to know us, (realised) we're not the authorities, we're not there to report folk or anything like that."
But he says, at its heart, the work is still about three simple things.
"The three words we use are listening, hearing and helping.
"And so if we're out especially at night, if there's somebody wants to talk, maybe somebody's had a bit too much to drink, we're there as a listening ear and we're there just to come alongside folk, maybe help them get home, get a taxi or whatever.
"And sometimes it's just to be there as a listening ear. So we have water and foil blankets and things so we can help look after folk until the situation is a bit better and they can get on their way."
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The volunteers have become a familiar and reassuring presence on the streets — and Duncan says they're often greeted with a much warmer reception than people might expect.
"We're just there to come alongside folk and we get an amazing response from folk.
"Folk are very receptive to Street Pastors and it's usually hugs, handshakes, that sort of thing. It's brilliant, it's great."
And sometimes their presence alone can make a difference.
"There's been odd occasions when somebody's just wanted to stand with us, they've felt a wee bit vulnerable and they've just wanted to be with us or stand behind us if it's been somebody they've not been comfortable with and things.
"So yeah, there's lots of little things, may not seem much in themselves but over the time it's definitely made a difference."
Then there are the lollipops.
Duncan says the team has now handed out close to 20,000 — and they're more than just a sweet treat.
"A lollipop can help calm a situation.
"Everybody loves a lollipop and it just helps bring the tension down a wee bit."
But there have been more serious moments too.
The volunteers have found people unconscious or ill through drink, helped get medical assistance and, on occasions, helped people contact parents and get home safely.
They've also been there for people who simply felt vulnerable and needed someone to stand alongside them.
And the Street Pastors' work is now moving into schools.
A new School Pastors service has just been launched at Hawick High School, following a year of preparation and training.
Volunteers are going into the school once or sometimes twice a week at lunchtime, offering pupils and staff someone to talk to.
Duncan says the response has been "brilliant".
"They're curious, very friendly, very polite — absolutely a great bunch of kids there.
"So we've been very impressed with them and it's lovely to work alongside them."
He says it's that reaction from people in the community — and the enthusiasm of the volunteers themselves — which has kept the organisation going for a decade.
"When you're out there on the streets and the welcome from folk on the streets and the enthusiasm of the team, it motivates you."
And despite ten years of late nights, Duncan says there's still plenty more to do.
The anniversary will be marked with a special thanksgiving service at Galashiels Baptist Church this evening (Friday), when ten new School Pastors will also be commissioned.
For Duncan, it's a milestone he admits he never expected to reach — but one which shows just how much the organisation has become part of communities across the Borders.
"We're all Christians," he added. "We come from different denominations from all over the Borders. However, we're not there to impose anything on anybody, we're just there to take the love of the church, God's love, out onto the streets and to share a bit of that love on the streets.
"And if folk want to chat about faith, that's absolutely fine, but we don't bring it up with folk, it's just there if somebody wants to chat about it."
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