Store pastors move into Derby city centre

Reverend Paul Morris is right at the heart of the city at St Peter's.

First we had Street Pastors: now we have Store Pastors.

At least, that would be one way of describing Derby's new City Centre Chaplaincy - officially launched on 4 February.

The idea is to offer a listening ear, help and support to anyone who works or shops in the city centre.

"Going to where people are" is the scheme's intent, and 14 chaplains have already been successfully operating in the six-month lead-up to the launch.

Reverend Paul Morris, vicar of St Peter's, has been a prime mover in adopting an idea which proved highly effective when introduced down in Watford six years ago.

There, 37 chaplains now service the town centre, with local businesses loudly requesting more.

The Watford team have happily shared their experience with some 20 other cities, including the newly initiated Derby.

The chaplains are not professing to be counsellors, or aiming to replace existing professional help already available within stores and businesses.

They simply want to supplement that support as independent operators: "listeners amid the tough stuff that life throws at us".

It would seem a timely offer.