At memorials outside the Houses of Parliament and in Birstall, the town where the MP was killed on Thursday, response pastors from London and Sheffield were on hand to offer support to those mourning Jo Cox.

Our prayers are with Jo’s family and friends and the community of Birstall.

In the words of response pastors who were in Westminster and Birstall:

I was proud to carry out God’s work and to be able to wear the response uniform to share compassion and listen and support that caring community.

It has been a day that I will not forget. Being able to serve God’s people today has been a very humbling experience.

Being on duty today in Westminster was a very moving experience.

Response pastors across the UK

Wales has recently gained its first two trained response pastors.

A response pastor is an experienced street pastor who undertakes additional training to be able to respond to major incidents in the UK with compassion and care for those who may have been affected by trauma or crisis.

RP Westminster