A MEMBER of the Inverclyde Street Pastors team has spoken of the group's plans to expand its services in the area - after they helped save a teenager from taking his own life.

Chris Jewell said he was approached by the boy's grateful mum at a railway station in Paisley two weeks ago.

Chris spoke about the difference the volunteers are making as they launched new daytime patrols in Greenock.

(Image: George Munro)

Chris told the Telegraph: "We were in Paisley Gilmour Street station in our capacity as rail pastors and a woman came up to us saying that her 14-year-old son had spoken to them, and they stopped him from taking his own life.

"He had been bullied at school.

"This is the fourth or fifth time someone has approached our teams to thank us for saving someone from taking their own lives.

"He'll have spoken to one of our teams who helped to stop the suicide. It is such a privilege to be out there and able to help.

"His mum was over the moon that we had been there for him."

Chris admitted it's 'very distressing' to hear such stories, and said that Covid has had, and continues to have, a huge impact on people's mental health.

He said: "I think it proves how much young people have been affected by the pandemic. They had two years without education and they are struggling.

"We are hoping to have street pastors in schools and in the playgrounds to help with bullying in school.

"Social media allows people to bully other people in a way you wouldn't do in person."

The new daytime patrols will operate in the centre of Greenock, covering from Grey Place to West Stewart Street and Kilblain Street, and all the streets in between.

Co-ordinator Alastair McAlees says they are trying to roll out their service to reach people they are not speaking to in the evening.

He said: "Covid has had an impact on the night-time economy. Fewer people are going out at night, and there is an increase in issues during the day.

"We want to reach out to people who are not out at night-time, perhaps older people who are looking for a chat.

"We want to let people know that God loves them and is here for them.

"Instead of coming out between 10pm and 4am, we are going out during the day to engage with a different part of the community."

Alistair also added that they are also hoping to encourage people they meet to work with them as street pastors.

Chris said: "Our motto is 'listen, care, help'. That's what they do."

They have also been praised by police.

Sergeant Scott Clark, their local police contact, said: "The Street Pastors are a dedicated group of people who support our community, offer comfort, compassion, and a listening ear to those in need.

"Police Scotland commends the initiative and looks forward to seeing the positive impact of their endeavours."

To find out more email Inverclyde@streetpastors.org.uk or call 07740 201853.