Love this idea from The Living Room, Tenerife. - every person working within the night-time economy (bar staff, promoters, lap-dancers, etc) receives a Christmas gift with the message that the person is valued and loved! Our teams seek to bless those who work within the night-time economy!
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Christian Street Angels and volunteers are preparing to hit British high streets as figures show the public will drink more alcohol today than on any other day of the year. On this Friday night last year, sales of alcohol in pubs, clubs, restaurants and hotels rose by 142% with experts predicting a similar trend. Figures estimate 2.3 billion pounds will be spent on drinks in bars, pubs and clubs throughout this month. Paul Blakey, who founded the Street Angels in Halifax, told Premier's News Hour he's expecting a busy night: "For all of our teams across the UK this is one of the busiest nights of the year. "Lots of our teams will be starting earlier because lots of offices will be closing early and people will be spending the afternoon into the early evening drinking". Figures show that Brits make an estimated 165 million trips to bars, pubs and clubs throughout December, spending £2.3 billion on drinks and even more on alcohol in shops. This festive over-indulgence, left more than a quarter of us (27%) feeling guilty and nearly a third (30%) starting the new year feeling "run down", according to a survey. Mr Blakey explained the Street Angels offered flip flops to girls wearing high heels. He also said they would help people who had too much to drink to get home. Source
Stephensons, the national law firm, has donated £2,000 to a city centre ‘street angels’ group as part of the firm’s commitment to working with communities across the UK. Head of Regulatory and Criminal Justice, Sean Joyce met with group chairperson, Rachel Goddard and volunteers from Manchester Street Angels, to learn more about the charity’s work and present the donation. Manchester Street Angles provides teams of volunteers to help patrol the streets of Manchester, during busy periods, provide support for vulnerable people, those who have over-indulged on alcohol and relieve pressure on the emergency services. The project officially launched in November 2014 and forms part of CNI Network which supports 130 similar initiatives operating in towns and cities across the UK and overseas. Rachel said: "We’re thrilled to be receiving this donation. £2,000 is a massive amount of money to us and will help improve and expand the project across the city centre. “Manchester is a huge, vibrant and diverse city – even more so on Friday and Saturday nights. With everything that the city has to offer, it’s inevitable that some people will find themselves in a vulnerable situation, particularly where alcohol is involved. “With the support of businesses like Stephensons, we can make sure we are there when we are most needed.” The donation follows a high-profile awareness campaign by Stephensons, which revealed a rise in anti-social and violent behaviour today (Friday 18 December) – also known as ‘Mad Friday’ – leads to a 125 per cent rise in the demand for criminal law services. Sean Joyce, Head of Regulatory and Criminal Justice at Stephensons, said: “So-called ‘mad Friday’ is one of the busiest days of the year for our solicitors and we experience a huge jump in enquiries as Christmas party season reaches its peak. “In the vast majority of cases, this phenomenon is directly attributable to over indulgence, where increased alcohol consumption can cloud a person’s judgement and cause them to act out of character. Many of those we are asked to represent are first-time offenders whose behaviour gets out of hand and results in a night in the cells, or even a criminal record. “The work of Manchester Street Angels is invaluable in making sure nights out in Manchester are memorable for all the right reasons. They are a fantastic organisation and I am proud to be able to support their work.” For more information on Manchester Street Angels, visit: www.manchesterstreetangels.com Source
A different kind of bus can be seen in Halifax Town Centre on Saturday nights in December offering shelter and support to party-goers and revellers who may be feeling the effects of an evening drinking. West Yorkshire Police has teamed up with Calderdale Council and other partners from across the district to bring the yellow double-decker bus in to the heart of the town centre. Staffed by special constables, police volunteers, Street Angels and volunteers from BusOasis the place of safety is a unique, and often welcome stop to those who may be in need. Donated by BusOasis, the vehicle is stocked with bottled water, flip flops and spikeys; Parked up on George Street, 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 home, or by making sure they are safely inside one of the nightclubs or bars, and not left wandering around vulnerable in the town centre. Open between 8pm and midnight, officers and volunteers will also be providing valuable crime prevention and safety messages to people, and helping them to enjoy themselves responsibly and safely. Police Constable Ben Doughty of Halifax Neighbourhood Policing Team said; "The bus was a great success last Saturday in Halifax, with over 150 people stopping by to see what it was about, and taking some support from our volunteers. It will be back again this weekend and helps to set the tone of the night for revellers in town. "Working with our partners is an excellent way to help share the demand of a busy night in the town, allowing uniformed officers to attend more serious incidents, whilst ensuring the safety of any vulnerable people. Having colleagues and volunteers located with a place of safety is also an excellent way for us to positively engage with the community, and shows people that there is a positive visible presence that they can call on if they need them. Halifax town centre also maintains its Purple Flag status, ensuring it is a safe and vibrant evening destination for people across the county." BusOasis Lead Worker Sharon Lawrance said; "Busoasis has worked successfully with police in Halifax town centre over the last 18 months tackling ASB in and around the bus station area. We are very much looking forward to extending that work with them and the Street Angels to provide a safe refuge for party goers leading up to Christmas." Adrian Broadhead, Chair of Halifax Pub Watch said; “The safety and enjoyment of customers is always our main priority and we work closely with fellow operators and local authorities to drive standards in the town. This event is just one example of the great things that the late night economy is doing to make Halifax a fun, vibrant and safe environment for all. We hope to see more of this activity during the festive period.” Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Steve Sweeney, said: “This is another example of the Council and Police working together to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime issues that matter to local people. “Having a safe and welcoming place for a night out is vital all year around, but especially at this time of year with festive celebrations meaning nightlife in Halifax will be a lot busier. The BusOasis will provide a safe haven for revellers if needed, and will help make sure that everyone has the great night out that they intended.” The bus will be parked up in George Street between 8pm and midnight again this Saturday, 19 December. Source
POLICE officers and publicans are preparing as thousands of revellers are set to descend on Bolton town centre for Mad Friday. With tomorrow being the closest Friday to Christmas, Bolton's pubs and clubs are expected to be filled with revellers finishing work for the festive period. Last year saw a number of arrests and a large fire at the En-Vogue nightclub in Bradshawgate, with the road being closed off for several hours. Inspector Dave Henthorne of Bolton police will lead the operation as one of 15 officers dedicated to responding to any incidents on Friday and Saturday night. He said: "We are expecting to be incredibly busy — it is one of our highest periods of demand throughout the year. "We have put in a lot of planning and have worked with the pubs and clubs to make sure they act responsibly on the night. They and their door staff also have a responsibility." It is forecast to be wet tomorrow night, but Insp Henthorne said this can work both ways for officers. He added: "It can dampen down any trouble, but also people might stay in the clubs and then come out en masse, so we will work to whatever happens." In addition to the police, volunteers from Bolton Street Angels will be out helping people who are worse for wear. Adrienne Tonge, chairman of the group, said a team of three people will also be out on Saturday night to assist. She said: "It was quite dramatic last year with the fire at the nightclub so that seemed to take over the whole night. "This year Mad Friday is a whole week before Christmas, so whether people are as hyped up as in previous years, we don't know. "Most people are good natured but inevitably the night will go wrong for some people. But we will be there to make sure people get home safely." The North West Ambulance Service is calling on revellers to make sure they drink responsibly while enjoying Mad Friday. Bosses said last year there was a 12.5 per cent rise in overall calls in comparison to 2013, many of which they say were caused by drunken incidents which could have been avoided. Derek Cartwright, director of operations at the ambulance service, also revealed one party-goer had called requesting an ambulance to be put on standby for later that night. He said: "This is the kind of behaviour and expectations which must change. "Ambulances are not mobile first aid providers, we don’t give lifts home when people can’t get a taxi. While we were trying to explain to this caller why we couldn’t provide an ambulance on standby, someone was trying to get through. He added: "In genuine life-threatening emergencies, time matters. So if people stop and think about drinking this Christmas and take a sensible approach, they can play their part in helping to ensuring ambulance crews are free to attend to vulnerable and very poorly people." “That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened but the angel reassured them “Don't be afraid!” he said “ I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Saviour – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognise him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!” Suddenly the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven – praising God: “Glory to God, in the highest heaven and peace on earth to all whom God favours” Luke 2: 8-14
If I could have been at any event in the bible, I would choose this moment. To see the skies full of the armies of heaven and to hear them burst into rapturous praise and worship, unable to contain their sheer amazement and joy that such a wonderful moment in history has finally arrived: their Heavenly Lord stepping onto the world stage to redeem and rescue His people! And then we slowly get a sense of God's heart orchestrating and planning this whole event as they begin to proclaim this amazing great news to a bunch of lowly, humble nobodies – shepherds. Not only was the job of a shepherd a very undesired one, but it also seems significant that this group of undesirables were outside the village, continuing the theme that God loves to reach out to any who are far away, regardless of their circumstances. This reminds me of a time when a Slovakian girl called Suzanna who worked as an au-pair in England once joined us on team. As we were visiting one of the brothels one night we met a girl called Denisa who was also Slovakian. Suzanna and Denisa began to chatter away and we soon discovered that Denisa had not been working in the brothel very long and hadn't yet taken any clients. She told us she was really nervous about it and unsure whether she should. Suzanna gently challenged her as she questioned the effect it may have on her view of relationships and sexuality and then asked her what her dream job would be. Denisa told us her ideal job would be to work as an au-pair in England! Suzanna was able to give her loads of advice and help about how to go about this and shared some contacts with her. They stayed in touch and four days later Denisa left the brothel, having never taken a client. It blew our minds that God could see a Slovakian girl sitting in a brothel whose heart secretly wanted to be an au-pair and so he sent her a Slovakian girl who was an au-pair who could tell her exactly how to do it!! A lowly girl in a lowly job with an almighty huge army of heaven on her side and a Heavenly Lord who didn't mind going “outside the village” to reach in and rescue. Challenge: Look for ways to step out for God and he will blow your mind with what he can and will do through you! Let's not be boring but remember we follow a God of adventure who wants to adventure with us! Dear friend,
No doubt all of us will have seen the media around the flooding in Cumbria. Now the headlines have stopped the clear-up has begun. Jonny Gios (who designed the Street Angels book cover) is based at Sandylands Methodist Church in Kendal and has become an integral part of the clean up and restoration process for Kendal. Without the work and support from the church in Kendal the council say they would have gone under. As CNI Network we are donating £100 towards the clean-up work and to help employ a flood recovery manager who will work on the ground for 6 months. 2500 homes were affected in Kendal alone. We are emailing out to see if others (individuals or projects) would like to donate to this so we can send a gift greater than £100 (maybe even leave a collecting bucket out in your base this weekend?) Please pay any money direct to the CNI Network bank account and we will send the donation after Christmas. Please reference the payment KENDALFLOOD. Co-Operative Bank, WN8 6WT: Sort Code 08-92-99 / Account Number 65462379 / Street Angels - Christian Nightlife Initiatives Facebook page for Sandylands Methodist Church Many thanks - have a great Mad Friday and weekend... Paul Street Angels will soon be patrolling the streets of Northallerton but organisers are looking for more volunteers this Christmas to join the exciting, new project.
Thanks to funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, New Life Baptist Church is working with local police, Churches Together Northallerton Area and the Safer Hambleton Community Safety Team to introduce the new Street Angels scheme from Easter next year. Street Angels will work in groups and patrol areas of the town to offer reassurance and help anyone who might need some support on a Friday or Saturday night. Training for these special, voluntary roles will begin in the New Year and applications can be made now to join the scheme. Angels do not need to be members of any church but want to work together to help those who need help and support on a night out. To be considered for one these roles you will be required to offer one Friday or Saturday night a month to patrol between 9pm and 2am. Steve Cowie, Mission Pastor from New Life Baptist Church said; "Street Angels have been successfully introduced in other towns and cities across the country and following a request from the police, we have been working together for a number of months to see if there would be an appetite in Northallerton. The feedback we have had shows that there is a real community spirit in the town and a desire to help those who might need it, when they need it.” "We want to offer the opportunity to volunteer to everyone in the town. So, this Christmas, think if you could give one evening a month to help those who might need it and volunteer to become an Angel for the town." Sgt Simon Wilson of the Northallerton Policing Team commented; "Northallerton is a safe town, but sometimes we have individuals who need comfort, help and support during their night out. Street Angels are there to offer reassurance; they are not there to enforce or intervene in situations but they will work closely with the police and others to make sure we can keep people safe on Fridays and Saturdays. I am particularly grateful to New Life Baptist Church for the work they have done already to bring this scheme to the town and am excited about the opportunities it offers." Source
People heading out in Leeds this weekend to celebrate the countdown to Christmas are being urged to stay safe on what police expect to be one of the busiest weekends of the year. Extra officers are being drafted in as part of a special operation aimed at keeping revellers safe in the night-time economy over the weekend that starts with what is colloquially known as ‘mad Friday’. Police in Leeds District generally receive around 500 calls in an average 24-hour period but expect that to rise by about 50 per cent over the weekend, with a significant proportion of the increase being alcohol-related calls. Teams of police officers, special constables and police community support officers will be on patrol in the city centre across a wider ‘footprint’ than their normal weekend operations. They will be working closely with council staff, licensees, door staff, British Transport Police, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and third sector agencies such as the Street Angels. A detailed review of policing the same weekend in previous years has been carried out to make sure this year’s operation see resources focused on the busiest places at the times when the volume of calls can be at their highest. Chief Inspector Chris Matthews, who oversees the policing of Leeds city centre, said: “The last weekend before Christmas can traditionally be very busy for the police, but we have planned accordingly and have additional officers in place to keep people safe and deal with any incidents that do occur. “Leeds has some excellent pubs, bars and clubs and we know people will be out to celebrate finishing work on what is for many the start of the Christmas holiday season. “While we want people to enjoy themselves, we want to them to do it safely and without putting themselves or others at risk. We will be working closely with licensees, door staff and our local authority partners to keep people safe. “We know from experience that much of the increase in calls we receive will be to incidents where alcohol is a factor. We would urge people to pace themselves and drink sensibly to avoid leaving themselves vulnerable or at risk of getting into trouble. “We’d also encourage people to plan their journey home in advance and stay together with their friends. Only take licensed taxis and make sure you have enough money to get home. “Keep your phone charged and in credit. If possible make sure that somebody knows where you are going and what time you will be back. “Take good care of your valuables. The theft of phones in licensed premises remains an issue so keep yours safe. “The city is generally a safe place to enjoy a night out and we want people to have a great time. The last thing anyone wants is to have their Christmas break ruined by something that could have been easily avoided.” Street Angels in Windsor are nominated to win the prestigious Queens Award for Voluntary Services.
Windsor Street Angels, volunteers who patrol the night-life of Windsor as well at special events such as Royal Ascot, was launched in February 2012 and help over 4000 people each year. The teams spend weekend evenings offering flip-flops and bottles of water to those enjoying Windsor's night-time economy as well as soup, sandwiches and support to the homeless. The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service is the highest award given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work done in their own communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of the Queen's coronation. It is the MBE for volunteer groups. PCSO David Bullock, coordinator of Windsor Street Angels, comments, "“We are immensely honoured and proud to receive this nomination. It is a real testament to the fantastic work being undertaken by our volunteers every week and shows just how much Windsor StreetAngels means to the community who nominated us.” Corinne Leatherbarrow, recruitment, marketing and fundraiser for Windsor Street Angels, says, ""The work that PCSO David Bullock and the volunteer Street Angels do in Windsor is invaluable to the community. Great news to have been nominated for the Queens Award and recognised by the public as such a worthy voluntary organisation" Windsor Street Angels is one of 130 similar projects running across the UK and overseas under the umbrella of Christian Nightlife Initiatives (CNI) Network. Guildford Street Angels received the Queens Award for Voluntary Services earlier this year. For more information visit www.streetangelswindsor.org or www.cninetwork.org.uk BBC Radio 4's Wireless Nights, presented by Jarvis Cocker, featured Ruth Carpenter from Club Angels London on the show The Nightclub: Jarvis Cocker invites you to a night out in Soho on his nocturnal exploration of the human condition. Below street level he finds drama and delirium as clubbers play out their lives after dark.
From a dimly lit ska joint to an after hours speakeasy, Jarvis is night guide to the smoke and mirrors of underground Soho - brushing shoulders with a club angel, a psychic mod and a singing waitress in among the shadows. Carolyn Charman FICB (“Cally”) was very honoured to have been awarded the ICB Global LUCA Award for “Charity Bookkeeper of the Year 2015” by HRH Prince Michael of Kent GCVO at a prestigious awards ceremony held in the Princess Anne Theatre at BAFTA last Wednesday, 9th December 2015. “I have been working in a totally voluntary capacity for Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy (GTCC) as the Honorary Treasurer and Secretary since 2013 and my role is extensive and extremely varied, ranging from the management of all the daily bookkeeping and accounting records, setting and managing the annual budget, administering the payroll and HR, overseeing compliance and statutory obligations to heading up fundraising initiatives, IT procurement and preparing detailed reports and presentations for the Board. I enjoy the role very much although it has grown considerably since my first involvement and has now become the focal part of my working life alongside a few other key clients. GTCC is perhaps most well-known for the delivery of its Street Angels project within Guildford and is now one of the leading charities nationally who manage similar schemes – indeed we have just been awarded the highly prestigious Queens Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of the positive contribution we have made in the community. I am also proud to be one of our 85-strong team of Street Angels, all of whom give their time selflessly and voluntarily.
My previous role as a Finance Director for a large sports marketing company earning a significant salary contrasts greatly with my current role at GTCC where I am unpaid and yet bizarrely I have found greater fulfilment and motivation in providing my services to the voluntary sector. Success as a bookkeeper is clearly not just defined by a high salary or a practice’s turnover or profit but also by the satisfaction of the employer and/or clients and the opportunity to enhance their objectives. It’s the quality of the services provided and the “value-addeds” that a good bookkeeper can bring to the table. I have always been passionate about the quality and professionalism of bookkeepers in business and commerce but the “unsung heroes” within the voluntary sector now deserve equal recognition. I feel great pride to have been given this award but there are many charities, small organisations and social enterprises whose mainstay is their treasurer or bookkeeper who not only “keeps the books” but often becomes involved in many other aspects, working tirelessly within their organisation without any financial reward or public acknowledgement. A good bookkeeper can transform the way an organisation thinks! In today’s society with ever-increasing government cutbacks and all the diverse challenges that life throws at us, the need for charity intervention, support groups and humanitarian campaigns is now more important than ever. These organisations rely on donations and contributions from the public and good stewardship of these financial resources is vital in delivering their services and support. Working capital can be optimised and put to much better use with an enhanced understanding of financial position, the preparation of analytical reports to prioritise and plan, the active management of reserves and good communication both internally and externally. Often there are also greater restrictions, compliance and other obligations placed on charities which highlights an even greater need for strong financial input and management. Sadly, within the voluntary sector this capability is often absent or inadequate due to the lack of knowledge and understanding of how a good bookkeeper can transform the financial management and administration of an organisation and subsequently improve its financial stability, focus on key services and plan for growth and longevity. I am very proud to have been recognised by ICB Global, a professional Institute who represents bookkeepers in over 110 countries and has just announced its own charitable initiative to raise £1M to provide training and support in underdeveloped countries in a bid to unite communities, create opportunities and relieve poverty. This will involve not just raising cash but also providing free courses and certification, training trainers and a range of other supportive efforts.” I would like to dedicate my LUCA Award for “Charity Bookkeeper of the Year 2015” to everyone involved in charity work to help others, with special mention to all the Street Angels across the UK but especially my fellow Street Angels in Guildford. You’re the best! I would also like to encourage everyone to consider what they can give in 2016 – just one hour of your time can make a huge difference to someone else! Carolyn J Charman FICB MIAB ACICM MInstLM December 2015 |
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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 |