Scarborough's Paul Abell talks Street, Youth and Community Angels and the changes in Scarborough's night-life on Yorkshire Coast Radio. Source
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CHRISTMAS SPIRITS: Meet the ‘Street Angels’, the men and women patrolling party hotspots this Christmas to save drunken revellers from themselvesVolunteers don hi-vis yellow jackets and take to the streets to make sure intoxicated partygoers can sober up and get home safely. IT is Friday night, just days before Christmas. David Bowker, 59, a retired NHS nurse, Michelle Sharples, 38, an NHS health visitor, Stephanie Ford, 56, an accountant and Adam Westall, 36, a PhD student, are donning their hi-vis yellow jackets. Tonight, the foursome make up Manchester’s Street Angels. Every week they volunteer to look after the drunken masses who end up vulnerable on the streets of the UK’s third biggest city. In November, a Facebook post went viral garnering 2,540 shares and 3,600 comments after a girl called Emily was abandoned by her friends when drunk. The Guardians who found Emily were ignored by her friends they called and texted — despite begging them to help Emily get home for more than two hours. For the Manchester team, sadly, Emily’s story is far from unusual. Mum-of-three Steph said: “Generally, when we find people too drunk to remember where they live, we use their mobile to contact their friends or parents. “The blokes always come and rescue their mate but girls often ditch them. They tell us they’re on their way then switch their mobiles off.” Alcohol consumption in Britain increases by 40 per cent in December. More than 600million units are consumed in the weeks before Christmas — that’s 300million pints, or 428million vodkas. After a hot cup of tea, the angels head out to the police briefing where the night begins . . . 21:45 Police briefing where four people of note are identified as having breached anti- social behaviour orders. Known drug dealers are also believed to be operating in the city centre tonight. 22:15 Back at the donated HQ of the angels, Dave is put on radio duty where he will be able to contact the police if needed. Taxi marshals and doormen are also looped in to the radio group so the entire city can communicate. 23:00 The Angels set out on their first patrol of the evening. Within minutes the team have picked up more than 20 empty bottles and glasses, removing potential weapons. 23:12 Stopped in the street by “Sarah”, who says the angels saved her two weeks ago when she had too much to drink. She reminds them they sobered her up with water and helped her get a taxi home when she felt better. She tells them the work they’re doing is really important and asks how she can donate to the charity. 23:34 A stag-do group ask the angels where the best strip joint in town is. 00:03 The angels check on a man leaning against a lamppost, urinating. He’s swaying but swears he’s OK and is off back to find his friends. The angels watch him enter a bar. 00:30 A man appearing to be in his 40s is standing alone. He says he’s been drinking since lunchtime and is waiting for a cab. After ten minutes he says he can’t remember if he actually called a cab. The angels keep him lucid, call another one, help him remember his address and leave when he’s in the car heading home to Rochdale. 01:06 The angels find a man in his sixties, lying on the floor with a head injury. “Donald” says he was on a work Christmas do and got separated from his colleagues. He fell up the kerb and while clearly intoxicated he’s embarrassed and thanks the angels. They call an ambulance and Donald is taken to hospital with a head wound. 01:15 After a first patrol which saw a total of more than 50 bottles and glasses binned, the angels head back to HQ for a cuppa and a biscuit before going back out on their second patrol. 01:30 The angels see an argument between a man and a woman. He seems increasingly aggressive but when the angels intervene both people assure them there’s nothing going on and that they’re a couple about to get a taxi home. 01:45 The angels see a young girl in her early 20s sitting crying at the roadside. “Lisa” says she’s been out with friends but has lost her mobile phone and has no way of contacting them. The angels suggest she gets a taxi home and while she doesn’t appear too intoxicated, she says she’s going to retrace her steps for the evening and see if she can find her phone. 01:52 The angels find a female in the street being physically sick. Steph pulls her hair back into a ponytail having noticed she’s been sick on her hairpiece which has come out. They wait for her vomiting to subside before giving her water and helping her get a cab. 02:10 The Angels see a young, drunk woman about to get in a car with four men. The angels intervene and ask how the five know one another. The woman, “Anna”, says they offered her a lift home. The angels suggest she stay with them until they can get her a licensed taxi. 02:20 Having seen Anna safely on her way home, the angels call it a night. They work closely with the police and on their suggestion they generally wind up their Friday patrols at 2am as violent incidents increase after that time and they would not be safe. — To donate to Manchester Street Angels or for information on volunteering, go to manchesterstreetangels.com Paul has written a blog piece for Movement of Love / Share The Love website - source: It is very easy to love some people! I am sure that statement has bought to mind a whole host of people you love…. But some people are slightly more challenging. Through the work and ministry of Street Angels we are out and about on the streets of communities late at night (and into the early hour of the morning). We help anyone – young ladies who’s poor choice of footwear mens the require plaster, anti-sceptic gel and flip-flops; those who are lost and wanting directions; those who have become separated from friends or partner; those who are homeless; those coming down from a high and needing a top up of caffeine and sugar. Some of these people we help are easy to love – they hug you (mind you drunken hugs are not always appreciated), high-five you, thank you time and time again and then take the trouble to tweet and email thanks the following day. Some not so – the young lad who is very demanding, very twitchy, yelling, swearing and with a carrier bag with needles poking out is one memory of someone I found difficult to love. Yet Jesus says love everyone! Love them as yourself! Love even your enemies! Love them if they think and behave differently to you. Love them if they are aggressive towards you. Love them whatever!
As people aiming to follow Jesus we have a massive advantage when it comes to love. It is part of our DNA. It is fantastic that time and again the church is the main agency that is there, loving, in almost every area that seeks to dehumanise people. Debt, addiction, nights out gone wrong, loneliness, dementia – the list goes on! This Advent, Christmas and into 2017 can I encourage you to start and do something very simple – #Do1NiceThing – each and every day commit to doing one nice thing, an act of love, for someone else. On our website – www.do1nicething.org.uk – we have a whole list of ideas. Simple things that could well make the world of difference for others. Love, love, love – all we need is love! Maybe the Beatles were onto something after all!!!! Paul Blakey MBE – founder Street Angels, CNI Network and Love Your Streets Leeds Street Angels were joined by a film and production crew and reporter Laura Isherwood from ITV's breakfast show Good Morning Britain. The filming will be included on the show on Monday 19th December along with footage from around ten projects across the UK which will give a snapshot of the work of Street Angels across the country. A live interview on the sofa with Paul Blakey MBE and Leeds volunteer Stuart Robertshaw will also, hopefully, take place. The Leeds Street Angels were also joined by a press photographer, Charlotte Graham, who was aiming to show the positive side of Mad Friday through the work of Street Angels.
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It’s nearly 3am, you have lost your friends, have no phone battery and can’t get a taxi home. It makes for a dire end to what had the makings of being a great night out. But help is at hand and with this week being one of the busiest in the social calendar help and a friendly face is at hand. Street Angels by name and Street Angels by nature. A team of 25 volunteers, from students to retired professionals, make up the Leeds branch and each Friday, and last Saturday of the month, they take to the city’s social spots between the hours of 10.30pm and 3am. And as many revellers finish work for the party season they will be out and about this Friday and Saturday working with police, door staff and the ambulance service while remaining impartial. They are looking for vulnerable people, those on their own or those who have had too much to drink and need to get home. Working in teams of two or three, they carry essentials like bottled water, flip-flops (for the girls that have taken off their shoes), foil blankets for warmth, phone chargers and hair bands. Katie Waters, 32, is the co-ordinator for Leeds Street Angels, established five years ago. She said: “December is our busiest month. More people are coming out for a meal or having an office party and there are so many different events in Leeds, especially at Christmas. “We are just looking out for those who are vulnerable or are not sure how to get home or just need a phone charger to get in touch with friends.” Katie added: “I have always found it positive and feel safe because of the other agencies. People just want to have a good time with friends and go about their evening. It is always nice when you are able to help someone and see that change in their night." Source
CHRISTMAS came early for a group of volunteers who give up their own time to help others. Members of the Northallerton Street Angels were out on patrol on a cold December night when the local branch of Pizza Express took pity on them – and cooked up a special treat. “This is the second occasion that Pizza Express have shown this special act of kindness to the Northallerton Street Angels,” said a spokesman. “It is a testament to the support that they have from all sectors of the night-time economy.” The Angels patrol Northallerton town centre every Saturday night from 10pm to 4am and are volunteers who make sure those out enjoying themselves are safe. As well as basic first aid they even carry flip-flops to help those women who find that high heels weren’t the best fashion choice when it gets to the end of the evening. The 35 volunteers have carried out around 1,000 hours of patrols since their launch. Source
Party-goers will be given extra protection by Halifax businesses and bar staff to help those who may become vulnerable on a festive season night out. Specialist training, co-ordinated by West Yorkshire Police and Calderdale Council, is being given to licensees, door staff and organisations such as the Street Angels and Bus Oasis. It has been developed to help those most likely to come in to contact with someone who could have had too much to drink and be at risk. Using a video resource that was gifted by Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird, the training uses a video to highlight all the potential missed opportunities to help a woman who becomes the victim of a serious sexual assault whilst on a night out. The video demonstrates how various agencies, passers-by and friends could have potentially intervened, rather than ‘looking the other way’, or misinterpreting a situation. Police Sergeant Ben Doughty and Licencing Officer Lisa Nicholson have devised and delivered the training; “Licensees and their door staff have a huge part to play in our night time economy and having them on board is a huge boost to making sure that people can have a night out, knowing that other people are looking out for them too,” said Sgt Nicholson. “Most people will probably not really notice door staff, or who is serving them behind the bar when they’re having a good time, but these people are your eyes and ears if something unexpected happens. “Door staff are vital, as they not only monitor their own premises, but are out watching what’s happening out on the streets around the bars and clubs.” Lisa added. The specialist training forms part of our wider response to policing the night time economy and protecting vulnerable people. “Traditionally at this time of year people may over-indulge, and with Christmas parties, celebrations and general festivities we want everyone to have fun, but also have a safe Christmas and New Year,” said Sgt Doughty. “We are really fortunate in Halifax to have excellent links with organisations such as Street Angels and Bus Oasis. “These are the people who are out watching over you, and being there when you may not realise you need them. “They will probably see 80 percent of people in Halifax on a Friday and making sure they have had this training helps them be better equipped when working with the public. Throughout December Police, Bus Oasis and Street Angels will be working together to deploy the bus in to the town centre as a mobile safe place. The vehicle is stocked with bottled water, flip flops and spikeys; The bus is also kitted out with mobile phone charging points and hot drink facilities. Volunteers offer advice, guidance and support to users, and can help them to get home safely by referring them to licensed taxi’s, or by making sure they are safely inside one of the nightclubs or bars, and not left wandering around vulnerable in the town centre. Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Communities, Councillor Susan Press said: “Safeguarding is everyone’s business and we all have a part to play in keeping each other safe. “In partnership with the police we’ve already trained over 1000 taxi drivers in Calderdale to help protect vulnerable people. “We’re now extending this principle by training local bar and nightclub staff, making sure that they know how to look after people who may seem at risk. “We’re teaching them what to do if they see something which makes them uneasy and giving them the confidence to step in if they see anything which doesn’t seem right.” Source
A LEIGH-based firm is marking its 50th anniversary by helping the homeless to have a happier Christmas. Astley Hire intended to pack a shoebox with gifts for every year of its existence and give them all to people living on the streets via the Manchester Homeless Shoebox Appeal. But following marathon efforts from its 25 staff, their extended friends and family and generous business customers the family-run firm has more than doubled its target, filling over 100 shoeboxes with small gifts, toiletries, winter woollies and even pet products. The bumper haul has been delivered to Leigh-based Adactus Housing Group, which has volunteered to become a collection hub for the Manchester Homeless Shoebox Appeal, run by Manchester Street Angels. The boxes will be distributed to shelters and homeless people living on the streets of Greater Manchester in the run up to Christmas. Lorraine Warburton, a buyer in Astley Hire’s purchasing department, organised the collection. She said: “When a colleague mentioned a target of collecting 50 boxes to coincide with our anniversary, I thought it was a great idea. "It was a tall order but I was sure we could all do it. “We had so many donations, we just kept going. “Absolutely everyone has got behind it. I have helped to co-ordinate but I have had lots of elves running around and helping me." Astley Hire turned one of its training rooms into a production line over the course of 10 days and invited staff to bring in any unwanted gifts or goods from home. Staff also took turns in their tea breaks to pack and gift wrap, while others went into town to buy goods with the cash staff and customers had donated to the appeal. Astley Hire’s commercial director Stephen Dorricott said: “I am so proud of our staff for getting into true spirit of Christmas and giving this charity appeal 110 per cent. "It is a fantastic achievement to be sending 100 shoeboxes out into our community to those who really need our care and support.” Operational Director Michael Dorricott added: “Thank you to everybody who has helped to make a difference to people who would otherwise go without.” Astley Hire, based in Lloyd Court on Jury Street, was established in 1966 by Cyril and Mildred Dorricott when they started hiring water pumps to motorway construction contractors out of the family’s grocery and hardware shop in Astley. Fifty years on Astley Hire now has six divisions, hiring and servicing industrial access machines, cleaning, cooling and heating equipment, scaffolding and tools to trade and industry customers across the north west. #StaySafe on a Christmas night out
A campaign to remind people to #StaySafe on a Christmas night out is running over the festive period. CNI (Christian Nightlife Initiatives) Network, who support projects such as Street Angels and Club Angels, are posting various safety messages on social media to encourage those on nights out over the festive period to have a safe and fun evening. The tips, collected from volunteers, include: Plenty sense. Plenty water. Plenty friends. Never leave your drinks around. Always stay with your friends, don’t go off alone, have their contact information on you somewhere other than your phone and over a big dinner beforehand try to think about your drinking limits for the night and stick to them! Always eat before a night out – never drink on an empty stomach. Know your drink and know your limit. Know what you are drinking so you can know how much you have had. This will also help you and your friends know if you have been spiked because you have kept account of your alcohol intake. Keep your taxi money in another part of your handbag/wallet so you don’t spend it. Always sit in the back of a taxi if you’re travelling by yourself. Ladies - carry a pair of slip-on shoes in your handbag so that when your high heels are no longer comfortable you don't need to walk bare-foot. Pick a venue right for you – if you feel out of place, leave! Most fights start over something minor – someone knock you, spill your drink – apologise! Don’t get involved in breaking up a fight – that’s the job of the door-staff! Someone pestering you – try and ignore them and if that doesn’t work ask the bar or door staff to help you. Look out for your friends – make sure they are safe. Paul Blakey MBE, the founder of Street Angels and CNI Network, says of the campaign, "At this time of year we meet many people who are not used to the dynamics of a town or city centre at night. Our teams of volunteers are on hand every weekend in 130 communities across the UK to help people have a safe and fun night out. We hope by publicising these safety tips that people will avoid needing our help." Street Angels, who recently celebrated 11 successful years, are teams of volunteers who patrol night-time communities on Friday and Saturday nights. The volunteer teams offer flip-flops, first aid, safe place drop-in's and welfare to those who are or could become vulnerable. More information on the #StaySafe campaign can be found at www.cninetwork.org/staysafe Northallerton Street Angel Chris Bambrough has created the cartoon for the festive season! Please feel free to use...
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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 |