Durham StreetLights is a joint initiative of Durham churches, which aims to show God's love by offering practical and emotional support to people on the streets at night and in the early hours of the morning.

StreetLights is similar to programmes such as Street Angels and Street Pastors. Now present in over 100 UK cities these have a positive impact on crime and antisocial behaviour in town centres (particularly in the vicinity of bars and clubs) by providing a calming presence on the streets late at night.

Working in partnership with Durham Police and Council, StreetLights volunteers are people who care, listen and provide practical support for those who use clubs, bars and other leisure and entertainment venues in Durham city centre on Friday and Saturday nights.

Volunteers are available to assist people who need help. Practical support can include flip-flops for those whose shoes are missing or unsuitable, water, space blankets in the cold, phoning a friend, helping to re-unite people with those they came out with, helping them to a taxi, bus or ambulance. Volunteers listen to people, pray for them, talk with them and refer them to other agencies if they need more specialist help.

StreetLights volunteers believe that people in need, particularly young people, deserve care and support. The needs of these individuals may be the result of homelessness, drunkenness, drug abuse or any other issue, which has caused personal distress or the potential for physical harm. Volunteers help people whoever they are and whatever their situation.

Volunteers are over 18, CRB checked, interviewed and trained. We aim to have volunteers out on the streets every Friday and Saturday night between around 10pm and 3am.