EDUCATE. EQUIP. EMPOWERMercy Ministries UK exists to serve the local church. With over 30 years' experience working with women dealing with life controlling issues, our heart is to help educate, equip and empower you with information and practical tools to effectively reach out and support individuals who are struggling in your congregation and community.
Our one day MPower training courses are designed to help those involved in pastoral care or people helping to understand common warning signs of life-controlling issues. The day is led by trained members of the Mercy UK team sharing sessions on Overcoming life controlling issues, exploring discipleship and keys to staying whole whilst helping the broken. There is also plenty of opportunity to ask questions and network with other delegates
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HULL has been awarded its second Purple Flag for offering a safe and enjoyable night out. Inspectors for the Association of Town Centre Management carried out an inspection of the city centre and its night time economy last November. The city secured its first Purple Flag in 2012. The association has applauded the excellent relationship between the police and other partners, including the Street Angels, Street Marshals and the door staff at licensed premises. Kathryn Shillito, of Hull Business Improvement District, said: "We are all very proud of the city and our partners as we repeat our previous success. "So much has happened to improve our city centre during those two years, but while that gives us all greater satisfaction it also increases expectations. "We knew we had to be even better this time, and we got there as a result of the dedication of our partners and the city centre businesses." Matthew Grove, Humberside's police and crime commissioner, said: "I am delighted all the hard work by the partners involved in Purple Flag has paid off and the city centre has received the award for another two years. "Since 2012, Hull city centre has become a much safer place at night with alcohol related crime and violence falling, which means fewer victims of crime." Source
STUDENTS more than twice the drink drive limit could be turned away from city centre pubs and clubs following a spate of tragic river deaths, safety chiefs announced tonight (Monday, February 9). Doorstep breathalyser tests are to be piloted at willing bars around Durham City, after three university students died and one was dramatically rescued from the River Wear over the past 15 months. Anyone turned away – students and locals alike – would be referred to “guardians” trained to help them get home safely. The uncompromising move, which has been successfully trialled in Birmingham, was part of a raft of changes aimed at securing the safety of drinkers in Durham and around the river late at night announced following a meeting of the City Safety Group tonight (Monday, February 9). Other moves include: • A ‘safe haven’ where drunks can get medical aid and sober up; • A student volunteer-led street angels-style scheme to help revellers in distress; • Taxi and night bus services to get vulnerable students home; • A £50,000 safety education campaign; • Extra training for bar owners and managers; and • Tough action against pubs running irresponsible drinks offers, such as “all you can drink” promotions. Further details were also announced of an independent riverside safety review. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa), which will conduct the review, has been briefed on the task, will begin its work in early March and report back within a month. The sweeping changes in what remains a safe city come after three Durham University students, Sope Peters, Luke Pearce and Euan Coulthard, died in the Wear within 15 months and a fourth student was pulled to safety last month (January) just a week after Euan’s body was found. Speaking after today’s (Monday, February 9) meeting, Terry Collins, chair of the City Safety Group, said: “I am sure this demonstrates the wide range of actions which have been undertaken within just a few days as well as the importance of partnership working in tackling the complex issues which comprise city safety. “However, it is extremely important to bear in mind that the agencies and organisations involved can work together to implement a whole range of changes and improvements in city safety but none will replace the need for people to take responsibility for how much they drink.” Carol Feenan, the city centre manager, is taking a major role in the shake-up. She has visited all the area’s pubs and clubs to stress the need to refuse access to people already drunk; and “guardianship” arrangements have been put in place to ensure anyone turned away gets home safely. Ms Feenan has also turned her office, on Millennium Place, over to become the temporary safe haven, until a permanent location is found. She has started patrolling the streets at night herself and provided training and equipment to volunteer groups. More than 200 students have volunteered to be part of the new street angels-style support scheme, which will complement the established churches-led Streetlights initiative. Drivers for night buses have been interviewed and appointed and the service will start this week; while four local taxi firms have been brought in to get vulnerable students home safely. A “social norms” campaign, funded with £50,000 from Durham County Council, has begun and focus groups are planned, with a launch expected in the spring. Last week, Durham City MP Roberta Blackman-Woods called for a review of alcohol licensing policy; while Durham Police chief constable Mike Barton said it would be “ludicrous” to police the riverbank to stop students falling in. An online petition calling for greater security measures along the riverbanks has attracted more than 15,000 signatures. Source
UP to 60 stricken revellers were helped by angels in Bolton over Christmas. In the run in to its seventh anniversary, Bolton Street Angels aided 10 to 15 clubbers in Bolton on their four peak days over Christmas — Mad Friday, the following Saturday, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve. They achieved it all despite the upheaval of a move to a new base, next to En Vogue, which was then plunged into chaos on Mad Friday by a fire in the sign of the club next door. The group has had three homes in a year, and while the Bradshawgate location of their current base is ideal, they struggle to offer the counselling they used to because of noise from the night club. The revellers who benefited from their services helped into taxis, put in touch with loved ones or sent away by ambulance after the group raised the alarm. A church service was held at Bank Street Unitarian Chapel on Sunday, January 25, to honour volunteers' work. The service was attended by mayor of Bolton Cllr Martin Donaghy. Adrienne Tonge, chair of the Street Angels, said: "We used to be able to deal with people who had problems other than things simply going wrong on nights out. "We are so grateful to the owners of our new base, but the noise from the club does make that work less possible. "Mainly we just bundle people into taxis now or send for family or an ambulance. "New Year's Eve was quiet, I thought, but we saw over Christmas that so many people are still going into town having been drinking heavily at home. "This is causing problems for venues and the police." At the service, volunteers shared their stories of what motivated them to go out in our town helping people whose nights had gone wrong. The evening was attended by Paul Blakey, the founder of the first Street Angels group and of the organisation that coordinates activities nationally. The Street Angels operate in Bolton town centre every Saturday night throughout the year. Anyone who wishes volunteer for the Bolton Street Angels and can give one Saturday night a month from 10pm until 3am is asked to visit www.bolton.streetangels.org. Leeds Street Angels New Year News Happy New Year and thank you to everyone who has been on patrol.Just before Christmas we had a great time having pizza and then going out on patrol with Paul and Jean Blakey, the founders of Street Angels. Paul and Jean head up Christian Nightlife Initiatives Network, and offer loads of help to Street Angels projects. We were really glad they could come and spend an evening with us on patrol in Leeds! Looking back through our reports for the Christmas period our teams have had quite a mix of situations. They've waited with people for ambulances; given out blankets and water; helped people find their way to taxi's and hotels and been a listening ear. Although a while ago now here's what one individual fed back to us online... "I just want to say a huge thank you to the lovely man and woman that was looking after me last night outside The Botanist/Burger King. I'm so grateful for all your help and sorry for being in such a horrible state" and more recently... "Thank you so much for my flip flops last night! I don't go into town often, well the first time in almost 3 years and I didn't have a clue there was such a service." Glad we could make the Christmas period safer. Getting ready for Easter, already! Leeds Lent Prayer Diary We're happy to say Leeds Street Angels will feature again this year in the Leeds Lent Prayer Diary. The diary no longer receives a subsidy, so there is a suggested donation of 85p. Copies can be ordered from the Network Leeds website.
The Mayor and Mayoress of Bolton joined with Bolton Street Angels at a service held at Bank Street Unitarian Chapel on Sunday evening 25th January.
The volunteers lead by Bank streets minister Stephen Lingwood shared their stories of what motivated them to go out in our town helping people whose nights had gone wrong. The evening was shared by Paul Blakey MBE the founder of the first Street Angels group and of the National organisation that helps to coordinate activities nationally for over 100 independent groups who work in towns and cities around the UK came from Halifax to get his encouragement to the street angels who are struggling for volunteers and a permanent home at present. Adrienne Tonge the groups Chairperson said since the group lost their base at 91 Bradshawgate twelve months ago the public have found it harder to find them if they want support during a nights out or if they wish to call in to offer their services as a volunteer. We have had three homes in a year and our latest base at 43 Bradshawgate in The Envogue building is only a temporary arrangement. We are most grateful to Michelle Parkinson the licencee for allowing us to be there. It is in exactly the right location but is not a long term solution. Over the Christmas period Street Angels helped between 5 and 15 vulnerable people each Saturday night. Helping them get Taxis, calling Ambulances or parents. Volunteers who can give one Saturday night a month 10pm until 3am are asked to visit our website www.boltonstreetangels.org to contact us. Source
BRADFORD's Lord Mayor went walking with Street Angels over the weekend to see for himself the caring help they give to late night revellers in distress. Cllr Mike Gibbons went on patrol with a team of the hi-viz volunteers who have been offering support on the city's streets for six years and paid tribute to their work. "By putting themselves out on the streets, I think they're incredibly brave at times," Cllr Gibbons said. "They are going into situations purely to help and that's done with a great selflessness. "These volunteers are literally putting other people first. "People of all ages are helping, but they do need more recruits and I would urge anyone with that same selfless motivation to come forward and get in touch with the Street Angels." Cllr Gibbons joined a group of Street Angels led by the organisation's chairman Paul Sunderland which left City Hall at 9.15pm for an hour and a half's walk around centre pubs, clubs and precincts. "It was a relatively quiet night because of the time of year and the fact it was wet and cold, however right at the end of our patrol we did see a drunk person lying in the street who was cared for by another team," Cllr Gibbons said. "I don't think night-time problems have really increased over the years, but what the Street Angels do is work alongside police and paramedics to offer real comfort to people in distress. "It was a great privilege to be out with the Street Angels, they are doing a fabulous job," Cllr Gibbons said. Mr Sunderland said he and volunteers Rachel Pollard and Elanor Matthys had taken the Mayor around part of their city centre beat. "It was a quiet night - which is always a good thing and Cllr Gibbons was very keen to see what we do as he's clearly passionate about Bradford and its people. "When it's quiet we can go and check for people in areas away from the usual hotspots, although we have a set patrol area which is all covered by CCTV for our own safety," Mr Sunderland said. Although set up by Bradford churches, Street Angels now has a mix of faiths among it's volunteers including Muslims and other religions. "That's a perfect mix for Bradford - it's not about preaching to people, it's about helping in a common sense way," Mr Sunderland said. Hi allI'm very excited to invite you to attend An Evening with 24-7 Ibiza, on Thursday 29th January, 7.30 - 9.30pm at Morden Baptist Church.
As many of you know, I have been involved in taking teams to do mission in Ibiza for several years. I am thrilled that Charlie Clayton, co-leader of 24-7 Ibiza will be in the UK for a few days and we can host this event with him. It is not often that the leaders in Ibiza are able to undertake such visits so this is quite a special occasion. Charlie will be sharing in greater depth about the incredible work of mission that takes place in Ibiza. The evening will also include interviews with team members, creative prayer and worship. For anyone who wants to hear stories of God at work in spiritually hungry places, then this evening is a must! It will inspire, encourage and stir you! You can read more about the work at www.24-7Ibiza.com I have attached posters for the event and I would really appreciate it if you could circulate this information in your churches and networks. This is the link to the facebook events page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=411863215636660&ref=ts&fref=ts We would love as many people as possible to hear about this incredible work. It would be helpful to have an idea of numbers, so if you are planning to attend please can you let me know? With many thanks Carolyn Carolyn Skinner CEO, Third Space Ministries The tour also visits Belfast on 30th November - details here - and Birmingham on 3rd February - details here. Paul and Jean attended a thank you dinner for those who volunteer with Bolton Street Angels. Paul presented each volunteer with a certificate which showed how many volunteer hours each person had invested into the project along with the CNI Network #VolunteersAreAmazing thank you booklet.
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THE day known as 'Mad Friday' was one of the busiest evenings of the festive season. For most schools and workplaces, December 19 - the Friday before Christmas - marked the start of the seasonal holiday, but for Bradford's Street Angels it was the first time in the organisation's six-year history that it couldn't provide enough volunteers to cope with the expected demands, as bars and pubs filled up. Every Friday and Saturday the Street Angels patrol the city's pavements, giving support to those who need it. Since its launch, volunteers have walked more than 250,000 miles and have dedicated more than 9,000 hours to keep people safe on the city's streets. But finding sufficient volunteers to man the rotas remains a constant struggle resulting in the desperate situation during the festivities. "We literally begged and borrowed and got friends out with us. We had one very small patrol out but could have done with two or three patrols out. Last year on that Friday we had 30 people out and this year we had three," says Paul Sunderland, chairman of the Bradford Street Angels. Many of their student volunteers return home for the holidays so Christmas and the long summer break can leave the rota significantly depleted. Paul says they also have fewer students signing up to volunteer which may be down to the pressures of studying. "We have always been very lucky with having lots and lots of students volunteering, but for some reason where we would normally get 90 plus per year signing up to volunteer with us, this year we got literally a handful of new volunteers." Paul says while they have a dedicated core of local people who volunteer, they need to boost their ranks to relieve the demand on those who volunteer regularly. This would also help when student volunteers return home for the holidays or leave the city after completing their studies. "We've got a dedicated group of local people who can keep us going, but again there is only so much a relatively small group of people can do so we are really looking to increase the number of people volunteering with us," explains Paul. He joined the organisation two years ago. Working in the banking industry, Paul explains his employers encourage staff to do voluntary work. Having friends who were involved in Bradford Street Angels, he decided to find out more, although he admits venturing out on a cold dark night didn't instantly appeal! "But I thought I would try it and I was hooked," he says. The role can be beneficial for those seeking to include volunteering on their CVs. "In life we all have to deal with people. In 99 per cent of careers as well we have to deal with people, whether colleagues or the public, and there is no more difficult person than a drunk. To be able to convince somebody who has had way too much to drink that it is time to go home the best people we get are not the strongest - they would not break up a fight because that is not what we do - the best people are the people who can talk. If you are a people person and you like people that is all we need," explains Paul. Volunteers range from 18 to 70+. Retired journalist, Brian Horsfall, and his wife Thelma became involved in the organisation through their church. Brian is a lay reader at Clayton Parish Church. "I see it as part of my Christian service to the community," says Brian, Street Angels' duty manager and management committee member. "We have two children who are in their mid to late 30s and we said we wished it had been around when they were teenagers going out into the city centre because it feels a safer place than when they were out then. "To have them (Street Angels) there on the streets looking after you if the worst comes to the worst I think it is so worthwhile and I see it as part of my duty as a church member." For those who have benefited - the underage drinker returned to the safety of her family and the elderly man found in Bradford Interchange after leaving his care home, the Street Angels are literally a Godsend. Easily identifiable in their reflective bands, Street Angels don't intervene in disputes but they, along with the Samaritans who they have previously teamed up with, and the local police, can provide a supporting role. But, according to Paul recruiting more volunteers is imperative. "With the number of volunteers we have got yes we can keep plodding along but we do need to change the people we have out because they will burn out," he says. "It is very easy in this life to take but, actually, it is much more rewarding to give something back. Even if it is one night a month or one night every two months, we are not going to insist you do it every week or every month, just when you can but it is rewarding." * Anyone interested in volunteering with Bradford Street Angels, or wants to find out more about the organisation, is asked to 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 |