Welcome to the four of the new Guildford Street Angels commissioned tonight (Sunday 18th October - pictured below) on behalf of the church and wider community of Guildford. Guildford Street Angels are also celebrating receiving The Queens Award for Voluntary Services. This award, equivalent to the MBE for community groups, was created in 2002 to celebrate the anniversary of the Queen's coronation. Any group doing volunteer work that provides a social, economic or environmental service to the local community can be nominated for the award. Each group is assessed on the benefit it brings to the local community and its standing within that community. The evening was attended by: The Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Nikki Nelson-Smith; Anne Milton MP; the Western Division Commander for Surrey Police, Helen Collins; alongside all that being awarded with the Queens Award for Voluntary Services.
We are thrilled to be able to introduce Gary and Sarah (right) who are taking over the leadership of Street Angels Spain from us (Cameron and Abi left)
God has really orchestrated their involvement from the word go, (even getting them to start Spanish lessons a year ago!) and has clearly confirmed in many ways their decision to accept our invitation. Gary has been working as a pastor at a London church for the last three years and has a real heart for evangelism, whilst Sarah currently does the accounts for a Christian bookshop and runs a T shirt printing company from home, together they make a strong and committed team. They have three girls, a 15 year old and two 9 year olds, and will be moving out as a family to Mallorca next year. First Gary, then Sarah and the girls when they have finished school. We really believe they are God’s provision to take over from us, and are excited to see them grow the work in whatever direction God leads them. Thanks for all your support over the last few years and we pray you will enjoy working together with them as the work grows. God bless Cameron and Abi November's Premier Christianity magazine features the work of CNI Network in an article looking at the church and social action. As well as our work on the streets, in clubs and at festivals the founder of Street Angels and CNI Network talks about the influence and impact of the church in the UK. You can request a free copy of the magazine here. CNI Network have also taken out an advert which celebrates the year on year reduction in alcohol related crime and A&E admissions in the UK.
Redcar Beacons volunteers came up trumps again, we had a team of 12 people spread out throughout the day from 10am to 5.30pm to do bag packing at Morrison's. Two people who helped are not volunteers but support us & it was great to have them on Thursday. We owe a big thank you to Morrison's supermarket for giving us this opportunity to boost our funds & the generosity of their customers. We raised a grand total of £428 to help us keep providing flip flops & lolly pops plus other things on Friday & Saturday nights to show care & compassion to members of the public. Unfortunately we were so busy packing bags on the day I didn't manage to take photos of all our helpers but I went back the next day & took these photos. Morrison's has also agreed to provide some raffle prizes for the fundraising event at St. Hilda's Church, 7pm on Saturday 17th October. Tickets only £3. We are grateful for their support & we might even have found a much needed male volunteer from talking about what we do. We would love to hear from any other men interested in volunteering.
CNI Network organised a Spanish Night to raise money for Street Angels in Magaluf and CNI Network. The evening raised £330.00 for Street Angels in Magaluf and £182.46 for CNI Network. Here are some photos of the night...
Free money! LocalGiving is running match-funding (as of now!) which means every donation of up to £10 is matched by them - so £10 becomes £20! Please would you consider a gift towards the work of either CNI Network or a local project today - visit the LocalGiving site here. If you wish to donate the money to 1 of our 130 local projects include the name of the project in the message section. You can also set up monthly donations - these will be matched over the next 3 months (£10 a month - so your £30 donation becomes £60!) Please do forward this email to your friends, share on Facebook and tweet the news! Many thanks in advance! The 2015 CNI Network National Conference is just over a week away! Bookings close on 20th October. This will be a fantastic weekend with workshops, networking, inspiration, fun and good food! We have 70 delegates booked in already from 29 local projects - do consider joining them! Details and booking here. Hitting the shelves this week is November's Christianity magazine which will feature the work of CNI Network in the second of three features on social action. To accompany the article the advert above will also feature in the magazine with an aim to sharing the culture-changing trend CNI Network and its family of local projects are contributing to our nation.
Drinkaware for Education offers free, curriculum-linked alcohol education resources for students aged 9 - 14 years. Using discussion-based activities, role plays and scenarios drawn from everyday situations, the resources make it easy to equip students with the information that they need to stay safe from alcohol harm.
Developed in conjunction with teachers and educational experts, the resources are flexible and can be adapted to suit teachers' needs. Teachers can mix and match which activities to use and when to teach them, and they can be taught in any order. The resources are suitable for PSHE lessons and can be taught alongside other PSHE topics, such as nutrition, drugs or sexual education. There are 4 lesson plans for primary schools and 5 lessons for secondary schools, including a booster lesson. The resources cover an introduction to alcohol, emotional health, peer pressure, and the risks and harms commonly associated with alcohol. Drinkaware for Education is suitable for schools and youth groups and can help teachers and youth group leaders to facilitate education about alcohol. The resources are all free to download from www.drinkaware.co.uk/education The CNI Network Alcohol and Safety Education pack can be found here. On Saturday Paul and Jean visited the newest project to connect with CNI Network - Night Church Chester. The project was launched 5 years ago and runs from St Peter's at The Cross in the heart of Chester city centre's nightlife.
Night Church is a sacred space where, regardless of people’s views or beliefs, all are welcome. Night Church provides a peaceful and informal atmosphere with a café, live music and a warm welcome. Night Church aims to give people the space and time they need; whether they want to sit quietly and listen to music, chat with one of our team or light a candle. You can visit the web site or the Facebook page - here are some pictures from Paul and Jean's visit: Source
A call has gone out for people to earn their wings by becoming a street angel and helping to keep revellers safe in South Tyneside. The team of volunteers has been providing a shoulder to cry on and first aid and help for those a little worse for wear every weekend for the last three years. However, over time numbers have dwindled and they are in need of a new generation of angels who will fly to the rescue of those enjoying a night out in South Shields. June Valente, group co-ordinator, said: “We know what we do makes a difference and because of this, it is rewarding. “We always get a great reception from the those out socialising, the taxi drivers, police and door staff. “There is many a time we have been called ‘legends’ and people have been genuinely grateful for the help and support we have given them on a night out.” Street Angels go out in teams of three and are supported by the police. They are equipped with radios and are in regular contact with the CCTV control room. Chief Inspector Sarah Pitt said: “Street Angels carry out an important role in the town centre and the volunteers make a real impact providing support and assistance to those who may need it.” Team members are asked to commit to at least one shift per month with hours starting at 10pm and finishing at 3am. Street Angels must be over the age of 18 and new recruits are given full training. Mrs Valente added: “If you have a caring heart and are a good listener then this could be the ideal volunteering opportunity for you. “There is no upper age limit. However street angels should have a reasonable level of fitness, as a shift can involve a lot of walking, standing and possibly kneeling down attending to those who are injured.” An event will be held where those interesting in becoming a street angel can find out more. It will take place at The Church Centre, 1 Broughton Road, on Thursday, October 22 at 6.30pm. For more details, call June on 07973 470 212 contact [email protected] Source
WHEN a young man was left for dead in Oldham town centre after being knocked down by a taxi-driver, a guardian angel watched over him. The victim, James Childs, was left in the road not breathing and with a broken leg, and faced almost certain death until one of Oldham’s remarkable Street Angels saved his life. The Oldham Street Angels are a group of volunteers who give up their weekend nights to help the vulnerable in the town centre. Father-of-three Christopher Molden (61) was out with the team in the early hours of March 8 and sprung into action when he saw Mr Childs. Chris tilted back Mr Childs’ head and opened his mouth and the victim started to breathe again. The Evening Chronicle reported the story and Chris has now been nominated for a Pride in Oldham Award by several readers. “I’m very proud and also very grateful that people have nominated me. It’s an honour,” he said. “I was just pleased I could help him — that’s what we are there for. When we are able to help someone in this way and potentially save their life, it is all worth it.” Source
You could forgive angels for taking flight from some of the sights, sounds and smells on the boozed up Blackpool streets made infamous by the 999: What’s Your Emergency TV series filmed in the resort some years ago. But Blackpool and the Fylde Street Angels don’t fear to tread one of Britain’s busiest town centre night time economy beats. Intrepid volunteers have won their wings the hard way on patrol Friday and Saturday nights from 9pm to 3am. Teams of three patrol the zone fringed by the Prom, Springfield Road, Topping Street, Church Street, Central Drive, and New Bonny Street. Others stay with the mini bus and provide hot drinks and a safe haven to revellers in need of such. They offer care and practical help, dispose of glass bottles and glasses, hand out water and flip flops, even give first aid. And they ensure those deemed vulnerable or in need are referred to other agencies or guided to the night safe haven bus. The project has come a long way since its official launch in summer 2012, the year after the pilot began. Blackpool’s own Angels come under the wings of Christian Nightlife Initiatives (CNI) set up in 2008 as an umbrella organisation for the growing number of Street Angels, Town Pastors, Street Chaplains and other volunteers in over 120 communities across the UK and Europe within the night time economy. In October 2012, BFSA was officially recognised as a local branch of CNI. Volunteers, who don’t have to be Christian, support the ethos and values, abide by high ethical and legal standards, collaborate with voluntary and statutory agencies as well as the emergency services, and offer help on a non-judgemental and inclusive basis. But now Street Angels project leader Paul Rawson has another feather in his cap- the administrative team now works out of the hot desk hub at Jubilee House, Lytham, and the impressive headquarters of Danbro Accounting. “This will enable us to take BFSA to another level,” Paul admits. “It was our third birthday in summer and we have around 16 volunteers we can call upon – and tend to deploy 10 dedicated volunteers on the streets. We use the Comfort Zone as our base at North Shore Methodist Church on Dickson Road but I’d like to recruit more Street Angels and “I would like more. Previously I worked from home but now I feel I really am going to work. It helps me get stuck into the admin stuff and applications for funding and such like. “Using the co-worker facilities within Jubilee House raises the benchmark and we have full use of facilities here and somewhere we can bring visitors. “If anything I’m surprised there are still units available. Ultimately, I would love to move into one of the offices.” Paul has known Helen and Damian Broughton, founders of Danbro, for many years, having met them at the neighbouring church – which is where they got married ahead of founding the company in 1999. “We share the same ethos –- they really are good Samaritans. It’s thanks to Danbro that we were able to buy a second hand bus and kit it out as our base while in the town centre.” Fellow Street Angel Sarah Williams, 20 (pictured with Paul) also feels proud of their new HQ on the edge of Lytham Green. “It’s so lovely here and couldn’t be more different to what we see in Blackpool – and yet it really helps us do that job too. I love being able to help people. We pray before we go on the streets but we’re not out there evangelising or bible bashing but trying to keep people safe. Blackpool’s no worse than any other town or city but it was given a bad press on telly. We walk about five miles at night although some of the changes to venues have reduced the area covered or changed the route. We look out for anyone who’s at risk whether that’s through drink or other factors. They are at risk of falls or accidents or fights or worse. You get a bit of verbal abuse but 99 per cent of the people we meet are happy to see us there. It makes them feel safer to know the Street Angels are watching over them.” Helen Broughton, director of people and standards at Danbro, concludes: “It was always our hope that we could help others and try to put something back into the community. The hot desk and office area is ideal for charities, and social enterprises, community interest concerns, and start-ups.” · Blackpool and Fylde Street Angels are a registered charity reliant totally on donations and voluntary help. You can contact them by ‘liking’ them on facebook.com/BFStreetAngels or following them on Twitter @BF_StreetAngels or via the website www.bfstreetangels.org. Or call 07964 202 525. · To inquire about Danbro’s co-worker hot desk hub and office suite email [email protected] |
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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 |