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WE all get that niggling feeling when our loved ones go out for a night on the tiles, hoping that they stay safe and are looked after. One Bedford couple's worst fears were realised in 2007 after their son died while on a night out in the town. But out of that darkness came an initiative that helps to keep people safe and well while they let loose and perhaps drink a little bit too much. To see exactly how the Bedford Street Angels work, I decided to head out for a shift with them on a Saturday night. The organisation was formed seven years ago by Fran and Fred Gill, the heart-broken parents who lost their son, Joseph, aged just 17. Fred said: "When it happened we began to look for something we could do to help others who could find themselves in this situation, and it was through this that the Street Angels came about." The Angels you see out on the street hail from eight churches across Bedford, are background checked, trained in first aid and carry a handy backpack full of the essentials you may find yourself without during a night on the town. Tony Cimino, 47, who has been with the SA for four years explained to me: "We ensure that we go out in mixed groups of two or three, and offer the support that people need. "Sometimes it is water, help to get to a taxi, flip flops after they give up on their heels, but others it is just a listening ear." But this is only half of what this red coat clad army do, as they also have dedicated volunteers who pray for the safety of the town while the active angels are out in force. They attract people of all ages, from 20-year-old Tom Boulton, who was inspired to join with a friend, to Daphne Cherry, who has been with the group since the beginning. Tom said: "Quite often I see a lot of people I went to school with while out, which is always interesting, but we always get a great reaction from the people in the town and people are grateful that we are here." Carolynn, 63, who has been with the group for four years added: "it is not just a great response from the public, but also the police and everyone else who works out on the street on a Saturday night. "We are all working towards the same goal, to keep people safe and we have a great relationship with all of them." That was apparent from my time out with them as we helped police by giving them antiseptic wipes for a girl who had got glass in her knee; heard numerous cries of 'have you got any flip flops' from limping young ladies; and even gave warm drinks and pizza to the homeless community in Bedford. Though one young man asked if we were orienteering (due to the red coats and large backbacks) the majority of the town recognised the group as people who are safe to approach for help. So if you find yourself in a spot of bother on a Saturday night or a friend is in need, look out for red coats, hefty backpacks and big smiles. Visit bedfordstreetangels.org.uk for more
Latest exciting news from CNI Network - click here.
Sign up to receive these newsletters in your In Box (via MailChimp): The Street Angels have trod the path - poem for Woking Street Angels as they celebrate five years2/13/2016
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The Street Angels have trod the path For Five years on Woking’s streets Armed only with Gods light And their calming influence They are Not preachers of the word Nor are they there to evangelize They are the doers of deeds The holders of hands And the wipers of tears They are a friendly face in the dark Or a soothing word in the confusion A conduit to common sense The Angels do not judge Nor are they there to chastise Angels listen with sympathetic ears And speak in a voice of pleasant reason They give up their time For the lost and the vulnerable And the over enthusiastic revellers Until the last club closes. The Street Angels Do not police the streets But they do tread the path And they are part of the peace ![]()
You can sign up to volunteer for Big Church Day Out at bigchurchdayout.com/info/cninetwork Halifax's famous Long March event on Easter Sunday is changing!
After 50 years of supporting only Christian Aid the committee has decided to change the way we operate the Long March. We will still be supporting Christian Aid, but we are now opening the Long March to a range of additional charities. This means you can now take part and raise money for some really great causes. We are really excited about this change and the future of the Long March. Keep reading to find out how the new look Long March works and how you can get involved. The walk has also changed from 26 miles to 15 miles! If you are interested in walking for CNI Network please select CNI Network on the sign-up page. Paul and Jean spent 3 days in Wales at the Time for God BIG Conference in January. The week conference gathered together the 100 young people from across the world who are investing a gap year to serve churches and communities around the UK. Paul and Jean shared the Street/Club/Festival Angels and CNI Network story and encouraged the team to volunteer within a local project or as part of Leeds Festival Angels or the Big Church Day Out team and to take the models of street, club and festival work back to their home areas.
Paul commented on the visit, "It was fantastic to meet an amazing group of young people who are investing themselves to this nation in so many creative ways. The energy, passion and enthusiasm as the Time for God team met together was a privilege to be part of." Very sad to hear of the tragic death of one of the CNI Network volunteer family. Our thoughts and prayers with Anne's family, friends and the Manchester Street Angels volunteers. Source
This is the first picture of the "popular and loving" mum who died after hitting a fallen tree at high speed in a tragic skiing accident in the French Alps. Anne Clayton, 54, was holidaying with her sons Stephen and Andrew at the La Plange ski resort when she suffered a fatal accident on Monday morning. Anne, an experienced skier, was on the blue run at the popular resort when she lost control, fell off piste and collided with a tree. Stephen, 22, and Andrew, 19, have now paid tribute to the popular mum-of-two, from Poynton, Stockport, who was known for volunteering with night time charity, the Manchester Street Angels. Estate agent Stephen told the Manchester Evening News : "We were on holiday together when it happened. "We have all skied all of our lives - she was a good skier. "It was not a difficult run but because it rained last night it was quite icy. "She lost control and dropped 20 foot off the piste and made contact with a tree." The family arrived at the ski resort on Saturday and were enjoying their second full day on the slopes when the accident happened. The brothers are due to speak to French police about the incident tomorrow. The kind-hearted mum spent many years volunteering with various charities including Operation Christmas Child. After losing her beloved husband Bob 12 years ago, Anne became a well-known and respected volunteer with the Manchester Street Angels, who help vulnerable and lost people in the city at night. Stephen said his caring mum had also travelled to Bulgaria and Romania to help deliver shoeboxes with Operation Christmas Child. He said: "She really looked after us and was a really caring person. "She also helped out at various food banks around our local area. "She was known for her voluntary work. "Mum was very caring and would not do anything for herself unless it benefited other people. "She was always ready to do a lot for others. "She had a lot of close friends that we have had to tell. "She was very popular. "She loved life and just got things done." A post on the Manchester Street Angels Facebook page also paid tribute to caring Anne. It read: "We share this news with a very heavy heart. "Our very dear friend and amazing angel has sadly passed away. "God needed a true Angel to join him. "Sending all our love to her family, friends, and fellow Angels. "Rest in peace, gone but never forgotten." A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: "We are supporting the family of a British national who has sadly died in Macot le Plagne, France, and remain in contact with the French authorities over the incident." Premier Radio interview with Paul Welch and Sharon Lawrence about the work of Bus Oasis including the links with Street Angels - click here for the interview
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CARMARTHEN NightLight has celebrated its fifth anniversary of helping people on the town's streets on Saturday nights. Five years ago, at 10pm on January 15, 2011, three very nervous volunteers from Carmarthen NightLight stepped out onto the streets of Carmarthen for the first time. They had no idea how people would react to being offered a pair of flip flops or a bottle of water when they had been out dancing and could no longer wear their shoes, or if they had drunk too much and were unsteady on their feet. NightLight co-ordinator Reverend Coralie Steel said: "We need not have worried. Once we'd explained that we were from local churches and chapels and were there to help if we could, people welcomed us with open arms – often literally!" "Over the years, we've received countless hugs and handshakes, been called 'legends' and 'angels', and some of us have even received proposals of marriage! After we'd been going out every Saturday night for a few weeks, people knew who we were and would seek us out for flip flops, water, a plaster for damaged toes or a lollipop." Every weekend is different. The NightLight volunteers now go out from about 11pm to 2.30-3am, depending on how busy it is. They have roused people who've fallen fast asleep in alleyways or doorways and encouraged them to make their way home, out of the cold. They've given shivering girls wearing flimsy dresses foil blankets to keep them warm while they wait for a taxi on the steps of the Council offices in Spilman Street. The volunteers can offer a listening ear to anyone who's feeling upset and have frequently reunited friends who've got separated. Coralie added: "We have never been threatened while out on the streets. We are always in mobile phone contact with the other half of our team, who stay in the NightLight base while the street team is out, and we carry a radio so that we can contact the police if necessary. "We are proud of what Carmarthen NightLight has achieved during the past five years and hope we will be able to carry on looking after people who are out enjoying themselves for many years to come." Superintendent Claire Parmenter of Dyfed Powys Police said: "The NightLight facility provides a valuable additional resource to alert us to any crime or incidents so that officers can act swiftly. In addition, the NightLight volunteers deal with people who are not causing any real issues but sometimes need assistance in locating friends or a taxi to get them home safely. "This assistance avoids officers being called to assist and leaves them free to deal with more serious incidents or calls for service." Carmarthenshire County Council executive board member for community safety Cllr Pam Palmer said: "The Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership has supported Carmarthen NightLight from the start. It has proved to be a very successful project which has been able to help a good many people over the years it's been operating. Coming soon - 'from 10 'till 2' a short documentary film about the nightlife street patrols from the high, lows, prayers, radio checks and flip flop memories. Gods love on the streets. Follow the progress on Twitter |
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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 |