Why ‘Mabel’ may be coming to a nearby nightclub

A Street Pastor Coordinator and a local nightclub owner have launched an exciting initiative in Pembroke that has the potential for being replicated in many other parts of the United Kingdom.

The project involves a designated individual - always known as ‘Mabel’ -seeking to represent Christ and Christians in a nightclub.

As Local Coordinator Lyn Edwards explained: The ‘Meet Mabel’ pilot scheme, which was created by nightclub owner Carl Williams and me, started in Pembroke last October. It already has the support of the local policing team, and the Ascension Trust which oversees the work of Street Pastors is prayerfully considering whether it can be used in other areas too’.

‘Mabel is a fully trained Street Pastor inside the club mainly on a Saturday night. She is available to engage and listen to people, offer advice in the hope of prevention and limiting incidents escalating. She is in contact with Street Pastors on duty. Mabel is identified by the name on a sweatshirt and a lanyard and has business cards produced by the nightclub with contact numbers for support agencies, DAN24/7 (Wales Drug & Alcohol Helpline), Samaritans, and the Veterans Safety Net.

‘Mabel was the first name that came to my mind when God gave me the challenge of going into [the] night club. It was also the name of my Granny who always prayed for me and died when I was 12. Meet Mabel is a pilot scheme and if successful will be rolled out in other night clubs. The person will always be called Mabel.’

Speaking at the recent Street Pastors’ AGM, Licencing Officer Nigel Lewis said: ‘Firstly, may I extend my admiration and gratitude for the work that you do within the weekend night-time economy of Pembroke. The extent of your contribution cannot be measured easily, given the unseen impact that you have when you offer counsel, intervention, and humanity to those who seek to participate in the hospitality sector’.

‘The concept of street pastorship enhances the safety and wellbeing of every single person who chooses to go out at the weekend. I know, from conversations that I have had, that your pastoral services are highly appreciated by the licensees, staff, door supervisors and police alike, and you are all beacons of hope to those in need when darkness falls. The pioneering Pilot Project that you have launched under the guise of ‘Meet Mabel’ is a highly welcomed enhancement to your pastoral services and I know there is much interest from other parts of the hospitality sector across the UK, and I wish you every success with this venture’.