A Moray group which helps late-night revellers get home safe is boosting its numbers.
Elgin Street Pastors will hold a commissioning service tomorrow night at the town’s free church, where six new volunteers will join the ranks.
The group, which has members from six different churches throughout Moray, was formed in early 2013 to offer a helping hand to Saturday night pub and club-goers.
Pastors usher people into taxis and support those who have lost their friends or had too much to drink.
Volunteers offer basic first aid, as well as hats and blankets to individuals whose Saturday night gladrags aren’t keeping them warm enough.
The work allows police officers to devote their time to more serious incidents.
The group’s co-ordinator Sarah Johnson said it was a rewarding pastime for all involved.
“The six new volunteers are from local churches, and they have completed 20 hours of training to get them ready,” she said.
“We have a session on safeguarding vulnerable adults and children.
“We express our faith in what we do, but we definitely don’t preach.”
As well as developing a knowledge of first aid, street pastors are trained in dealing with mental health issues.
Mrs Johnson said it was a skill which had proved invaluable on a number of occasions.
“There is some suicide intervention training, and that is incredibly helpful,” she said.
“Often after a few drinks people become depressed.
“On three occasions pastors here have been directly involved in helping deter somebody who has a suicide plan they are going home to implement.”
Despite the challenges, Mrs Johnson said the nights can also be “great fun”.
She said: “What we really do is make sure everybody has a good end to their night out, and we end up having some enjoyable banter.”