The Deputy Mayor of Middlesbrough, Antony High, joined the team on Saturday 10th August on what was a very wet patrol for much of the time. There was plenty to do though including helping a female to the Safe Haven at the request of one of the bars.
A young man separated from his friends was laying on the wet pavement, short of breath and shivering - the team was alerted by the public. They wrapped him up and escorted him to the Safe Haven to be looked at. Antony was very appreciative and supportive of the work of Boro Angels and the team look forward to working with him and his colleagues to help make Middlesbrough a better, safer place to be. Festival Angels had a stall at Creation Fest at the Royal Cornwall Showground. The aim was to promote the growing number of Festival Angels teams in Cornwall as well as the new Pirans Angels team in Newquay. The Boardmasters Festival Angels team were prayed for as part of the evening celebration on Tuesday. Several of the Festival Angels were able to get photos with some of the artists at Creation Fest including Wildwood Kin, Philippa Hanna, Josh Curnow and the CEO of Creation Fest Sarah Yardley.
On Tuesday night the team moved down to Boardmasters which was sadly cancelled at a few hours before the gates were to open due to 50mph winds forecast for the weekend. It was sad to see the main stage, big tops, marquees, catering vans, etc all begin to pack down and leave instead of 53,000 festival-goers streaming in to set up camp. Festival Angels joined the local Pirans Angels team on Wednesday to offer advice, travel guidance and support to those who had arrived in Newquay before the announcement was made. Most of the Festival Angels team had to leave on Thursday as the Boardmasters site was closing down leaving Pirans Angels to offer support and welfare on Thursday to Sunday nights as alternative Boardmasters parties were planned. Festival Angels prays for those involved in running Boardmasters who had to make such a difficult decision and for the businesses on the site and in Newquay affected. A Festival Angels team organised by Third Space Ministries was at Eastern Electrics in Morden. On Saturday they worked with Morden Baptist Church to welcome festival goers to Morden with free drinks, glitter face painting, DJs, prayer & a listening ear. On both days volunteers were at the festival site offering peace, love, support, safety, & encouragement to lots of festival goers through a safe place and detached teams.
Support for Magaluf Street Angels from British Ambassador and De Montfort University students8/9/2019
"One of the tremendous privileges of this job has been to meet many of you, the British Nationals involved in your communities in so many different ways. Those of you volunteering with organisations like Cruz Roja, Age Concern and so many more; helping fight forest fires in Javea or looking after British cemeteries; those raising funds to help those in need; young people volunteering with organisations like Street Angels in Mallorca, helping to look after British visitors to the island or British councillors serving their local communities." Simon Manley, the British Ambassador to Madrid as he leaves his role - read the article here
De Montfort University Students help holiday-makers in Magaluf - read the story here: De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) students have been helping holidaymakers stay safe during nights out in Magaluf. Health and Wellbeing in Society students and their tutors worked with Street Angels, volunteer teams who patrol the resort's nightlife district, to provide basic first aid and other assistance to partygoers. An unconscious young man was among those assisted by the DMU group, who provided comfort, called for an ambulance and tried to track down his hotel and friends based on his room key. Volunteering was the highlight of a 'memorable' trip to the Spanish island of Majorca for student Sue Litchfield. She said: "I had heard of Magaluf's reputation, but hearing and seeing are two different things. "I was shocked by the behaviour but also filled with compassion to help. I will definitely be going back again to help." This was just one of the activities that enabled students to apply their learning in a real-life context and analyse factors conducive to risky health behaviours. Trip lead Zaqia Rehman said: "The inspiration was seeing news reports about young British tourists in Spain who were falling from balconies because of reckless and alcohol-related behaviours. "We teach social, psychological and political indicators to health behaviours, for example in workshops students look at why some people smoke or don't wear seatbelts. "We decided to do this on an international scale and compare Leicester with Magaluf." Source (with images)
It's 3am on the cold streets of Oldham, people are in crisis and there's nowhere for them to go In the second part of our series chronicling life in austerity hit Oldham, Politics and Investigations Editor Jen Williams spends the evening with the volunteers of the Street Angels project - and finds kindness, sadness and a ravaged safety net It is past midnight in Oldham town centre, Saturday night bleeding into Sunday as drinkers noisily drift from pub to club. Tucked just off the main drag, Rev Jean Hurlston and her tight-knit group of volunteers are sober, in both senses of the word. Volunteers at her Street Angels project, set up to support public services by helping people who get into difficulties in the town centre at the weekend - either because of minor injuries, fights, homelessness or general drunkenness - are worried. Their paramedic, Gemma, has just found an elderly homeless man out-of-it on the streets. Jim, not his real name, had popped in earlier on for a brew and some cake, as many of those sleeping rough in the town do, for warmth, sustenance or company. He hadn’t really said much before shuffling back out into the night. Gemma has now found him barely conscious on the streets and is whispering to Jean in a low, worried voice. I have been here for the last few hours, watching as the team hand out hot drinks and bowls of chilli, taking the various tragic stories they hear in their stride. But now they don’t know what to do. Jim appears to have fallen over but is suffering from no obvious injuries or mental health crisis. Yet at nearly 70 he is vulnerable, one of the town’s drifting population of street homeless often more associated with Manchester next door. Gemma manages to get enough information from him to learn that his last house was in Rochdale, so they make an early-hours phone call to Rochdale council. No, they say. He’s not ours. He’s originally from Oldham. The volunteers then try Oldham council’s out-of-hours service. No, they say. He can come in tomorrow morning, but they have nothing for him right now. He slumps silently in a chair as everyone wonders aloud what to do next. Rough sleeping may be a more visible problem in the city centre a few miles away than in its peripheral towns like Oldham, but the gaps in the system are just the same. Although Jean, the Dean of Oldham, set up Street Angels in 2011 as a general support service for Saturday nights, it gradually evolved into a drop-in for the town’s homeless. I listen as two men, probably not older than 40, share gallows humour over a coffee. One, who says he became homeless after a relationship breakdown, has been sleeping under a railway arch. When he applied for housing, he received a letter - he says - informing him he was not a priority as his current housing situation ‘is not a threat to his health’. They laugh darkly. Volunteer Peter Russell, 26, is all too familiar with the scenario. A few weeks ago he was helped off the streets by the project, ‘the first place I’ve ever asked for help’. “I think there’s just a break in the system,” he says of the path to destitution. “With zero hour contracts, it’s hard for people to keep their home. “I was living in my house six years and getting into debt and arrears and becoming homeless, paying them off then going back into them… It was the month’s difference that always set it off, when you lose work and go onto benefits. “I feel for people in that situation.” Peter speaks with quiet anger of the spiral he and others have found themselves in. “It’s trying to keep a rhythm, trying to keep things flowing,” he says of juggling rent with wages. “I’ve worked on the markets, I’ve worked cash in hand doing walls and flagstones, painting, bakeries, I’ve just had to keep a bit of a flow up.” Sometimes, though, that just gets too much, he says. “I’ve had it a few times over the years since I was 16. “You’d have work, then everything has come to a crash, work, family, health, one after the other. I don’t have much family and I definitely don’t choose to ask for help.” Eventually he landed up on the streets. Even then, he was working, but in the end it was unsustainable. “While I was homeless, I still had my job over at JD. “I was still doing my 12-hour shifts. I struggled to sleep through the day and also do my work. I didn’t really have a great Christmas with the weather. It became harder to hide it for work. Luckily they had showers there but people were realising I was staying back to have a shower when everyone else was rushing off. It became noticeable.” Now in temporary accommodation, he says he wants to give back by helping out at Street Angels. Jean says the project has ended up being focused more and more on destitution, although Gemma - who is funded by the NHS - also takes a huge weight off emergency services by patching up revellers and keeping them out of A&E. “The biggest thing is the rough sleeping and homelessness,” she says, adding that Universal Credit and other benefits issues are a common cause. “That’s why we started to say: how can we respond in more of a strategic and meaningful way - and that’s when we set up the drop-in. “We were going round the town and bumping into people who were begging and we’d say ‘do you want us to bring hot drinks’? And we’d go back and find they’d moved on. “We decided to go out and invite people to come in so they can have a hot meal, clothing, conversation. “The first thing you do is welcome them. It doesn’t matter what they came in for. Often you find out why and people sort of open up as they get to know us.” While she admits the charity is undoubtedly plugging gaps in the system, she does not see that as a negative thing. “There are people who will say we shouldn’t be doing it, we’re propping up failing services,” she says. “But actually I think we should be doing it, because we should practice what we preach. It’s about linking with the civic community, local voluntary sector, faith being real. “What do you do for the town? It’s more than the service. It’s about looking inwards, it’s about looking outwards.” At about 2am a young man comes in while the team is still wondering what to do about Jim. He asks for a sleeping bag but they’ve run out, so he takes a Soreen bar, one of many regular donations from Chadderton FC. They offer him a duvet, but he shakes his head. “Nah,” he says quietly. “The wind just rips through it.” At nearly 3am, the team comes to a decision. There is nowhere for Jim to go apart from A&E, despite there being nothing really wrong with him. They know that once the hospital realises this, they will almost certainly discharge him - but at least he will be safe and warm for a few hours. He doesn’t have any money or a mobile, so they write him a note with the number for Oldham’s housing team and slip it into his pocket with £2.50 for the following morning, before preparing to order a taxi. “Look at that face, how much character there is in it,” says Jean, quietly, as the team sit and look at him. “A life well lived.” As I leave, they are waiting for the cab. I walk out into the dark 3am air and drive back to Manchester, feeling guilty, hollow and lucky all at once. Since this article was researched in April, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has agreed to extend its night shelter scheme - 'A Bed Every Night' - throughout the rest of this year, including in Oldham. For more about Oldham's Street Angels, see here .
Festival Angels were at Kendal Calling in the Lake District helping run safe hubs and detached teams in various camp sites. The amazing team went above and beyond to offer care and support to some of the 35,000 festival goers and staff. The weather turned wet on Saturday resulting in mud but dried up for Sunday which included a flypast from the 'Jesus Calls Will U Follow' banner plane. It is hoped to build on the work at Kendal Calling over the next years.
The Kendal Calling Festival Angels have featured in the Church in Cumbria The Way magazine - www.carlislediocese.org.uk/uploads/2814/the-way-summer-2019.pdf.html
Source
It's in a bid to keep revellers safe through the summer months. Cumbria Police have launched a campaign that will run over the summer focusing on providing safety advice. The campaign will run until the end of August and will cover a wide range of areas of personal safety. As the summer holidays fast approach and social calendars fill up, police want to encourage the public to take simple steps to enjoy a safe summer. The Constabulary's social media platforms will publish videos offering practical safety advice. Also highlighted will be how police work with partner agencies and valuable schemes, such as Ask for Angela and Street Angels, to help keep people safe. The Constabulary will also want to hear views and ideas from the public around how to keep safe when on a night out or at festivals. Social media polls will run over the next two months to gain this insight. Ahead of the county's biggest music festival, Kendal Calling, a Geofilter will be available to revellers. Further festival-specific advice will be issued in the build-up and during the event. The campaign will also include a free prize draw, ran on the Cumbria Police Facebook account, focused on public safety advice. Superintendent Justin Bibby said: "Cumbria is one of the safest places in the UK to live and visit which is something we are very proud of. Running campaigns like this are so important to raise awareness and spark conversations. "Personal safety is vital and should be a natural consideration as part of any plan. Small steps can make a big difference. Some of the advice we provide might seem like common sense, but it can be easy to forget something important when you're having a great time. "This is advice and not a guarantee, but making sure you make yourself as safe as you can with little effort will mean you are not as vulnerable. Share these measures with your friends and family, look out for each other and talk about personal safety and your plans." Whether it is online, at an event like an agricultural show or festival, out on nights out or on a date, there are steps everyone can take to improve their personal safety. They include: · Plan your day/night out including how to get home · If you are meeting someone for the first time, please make sure it is in a public place. Always have an exit strategy to get out of a situation if you are uncomfortable (consider checking if a pub/bar has the Ask for Angela scheme before arranging where to meet someone for the first time) · If you are out alone, tell friends and family where you will be and update them if your plans change · Make sure you stay with your friends. If you become separated, pre-arrange a meeting place at the end of the night - look out for each other · Take your mobile phone with you and make sure it is charged · Be sensible about how much alcohol you drink and pace yourself - a drunk person is much more vulnerable and a far easier target for criminals · Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, hot temperatures and alcohol can leave you dehydrated and requiring medical attention · Watch your drinks - do not give anyone the opportunity to alter them with other substances. If you leave a drink unattended then do not go back to it · Think about what you have had to drink - If you feel very drunk or unwell after just a small amount then ask a trusted friend or a member of the club / pub management for help · Do not take drugs or New Psychoactive Substances · Make sure you have enough money left at the end of the night to pay for your journey home · Only take the personal items with you that you need, and keep valuables out of site · Never engage in violence, one punch can kill. If a situation starts to escalate walk away, find a staff member for support or contact the police. Source
Those working in the night time economy contribute to a fun, lively environment, and no two nights in their town or city are ever the same. Along with this, however, those on the frontline also regularly have to deal with situations involving vulnerable people. From alcohol-related illness to safety concerns, staff in licensed premises need to have their eye on the ball at all times. To help you provide a safe drinking environment for all, Jo Cox-Brown, Director of Night Time Economy Solutions provides her top tips on dealing with vulnerable people. Safely tackling vulnerabilities At Night Time Economy Solutions we work regularly with licensed premises and the emergency services to improve safety and help create an environment that’s social and enjoyable for all. Below we’ve listed the vulnerability issues licensed premises deal with most often, together with effective ways to handle them. 1) Drunk people trying to enter your venue All staff should recognise signs of drunk behaviour, so ensure training is given to anyone needing it. A drunk person should never be allowed entry to your premises, not only because serving them is illegal and could you land you a fine of up to £20,000, but because it’s irresponsible and unsafe. Instead, offer to call them a taxi or ask if a friend can bring them home. Letting them wait while their transport arrives and providing water and some simple food will help them sober up and this show of kindness can also help relieve their embarrassment over being refused entry. Remain friendly and calm at all times, explaining the risk of a fine or venue closure if you were to grant access. 2) Vulnerable people leaving your premises If there is a lone person leaving your venue, check in with them by asking how they are, where their friends are and how they’re getting home. This can be enough to tell you whether or not they need additional help and if they are safe on their own. If they do need help, talk to them to create a safe plan to get home, partnering with other agencies if needed such as a licensed taxi company. If you see someone leaving your venue with a different person than they came in with, approach them and ask if they are ok. Don’t be afraid to check if they know the person they are leaving with and if their friends know where they are going. Look out for signs of intoxication or date rape drugs and assess their ability to hold a conversation. If you discover they don’t know the person or suspect they’ve been spiked, engage them in a separate conversation and clearly state you’ll remain with them until they’re reunited with their friends. If the situation escalates, contact the police. 3) Lost or stolen property Losing personal items, particularly a wallet or house keys can be very distressing. Help the person remain calm as they search for their belongings. Escort them around the venue if necessary, and if they can’t locate their things, support them to get home safely by offering them use of a phone or engaging a voluntary group such as Street Angels to help them. Don’t let them wander off alone without a phone or money for transport. 4) Anger or aggression If a customer becomes angry, for whatever reason, display non-threatening body language such as having your hands loosely by your side with palms forward, stand back to give the customer space and use a calm voice to try and deescalate the situation. Don’t attempt to manage it alone, and always keep your safety and the safety of other-staff paramount. In some instances, it may help if a staff member who would be considered unthreatening offers an incentive to leave, such as a free drink next time the customer comes in. In any instance of aggression, always utilise services available to you like the police or appropriate volunteers, who can support with looking after the customer until he or she is calm and sober. 5) Distress, illness or upset Our instincts when faced with sickness or upset are often to either turn away or rush straight in. However, it’s best to step back and assess first, and always ask the person’s permission before doing anything – whether that’s collecting their things or holding their hair as they vomit. Letting them leave the premises alone will make them vulnerable to predators, so try and establish who the best person is to care for them – whether that’s their friends within your venue or a voluntary service like Street Angels. In the case of severe illness or unconsciousness, call an ambulance immediately and stay with the person at all times. If they are conscious, encourage them to sit up and give them something suitable to vomit in if needed. If they are unconscious, put them in the recovery position and monitor their breathing and body temperature. Talk to the person but never try to force them into consciousness by pouring cold water over them as the shock and sudden temperature change can be very dangerous. Also ensure all staff members understand signs of alcohol poisoning, which are: ● Hyperthermia or low body temperature ● Being conscious but unresponsive ● Irregular breathing ● Seizures ● Confusion ● Vomiting ● Poor coordination ● Fainting or passing out If you suspect alcohol poisoning or are concerned about symptoms someone is displaying, always dial 999. As well as following the above five points for safe drinking practice, it’s also essential to keep in mind the following when involved in a situation: Protect your own safety Work alongside another staff member to help a customer, as alone you are vulnerable too. Always keep firm boundaries in place and never offer lifts home or do anything that could put your own safety at risk. Intoxicated people can be volatile, have lowered inhibitions and can have hazy memories the next day, all of which can put you at risk of danger or accusation. Make use of CCTV and radio communications. By communicating with other venues, you can arrange joint monitoring of lone, vulnerable or aggressive people to improve their safety and that of others. We recently asked CCTV to monitor a lone woman from a venue back to her hotel, which is something that can be easily arranged thanks to most town and city centres having excellent CCTV networks. Work with other agencies It’s your responsibility to ensure any vulnerable patrons leave your venue safely, and there are other agencies who can support you. We advise: ● Creating a link with a local taxi company who are happy to pick up those at risk of being vulnerable. ● Connecting with volunteer organisations such as Street Pastors and Street Angels. They can offer invaluable help to those who find themselves vulnerable in the night time economy. Groups like these can support people in various ways as they exit your venue into the city at large. ● If someone genuinely can’t get home and there are no volunteers available, work with your local policing team to see if they can help, even by letting the person spend a few hours waiting at the local station’s front counter until they can be picked up or make their way home safely. Working with other agencies can remove some of the worry of dealing with vulnerable people, as well as helping your whole town or city’s night time economy be as safe, fun and prosperous as possible. Make it official It’s important that all staff feel confident in practically dealing with vulnerability, as scenarios covered in this guide are liable to crop up regularly. However, practical knowledge must be accompanied by an airtight Vulnerable Persons Policy, together with staff training. We’ll cover how to create and implement this in our next article! If you have any questions relating to your licensed premises, you can contact Jo or Sylvia at [email protected] and we’ll be happy to support. A big thanks to Police Sergeant Mike Urwin and Paul Blakey from Street Angels (CNI) for sharing their tips and recommendations for supporting vulnerable people in the night time economy. |
|
ROC Angels - an initiative of ROC (Redeeming Our Communities)
Charity - 1139817 / Registered Company - 7327258 Postal Address: ROC Angels, c/o The King's Centre, Park Rd, Halifax, HX1 2TS E-Mail: [email protected] (founder / CEO) / Phone: 07725501465 |