Wow last weekend was very busy and this week hasn't been much quieter which is why its taken me so long to write up this blog - sorry!
Last Saturday morning we held a coffee morning and cake sale at Wellington Methodist Church to raise some money towards our next flip flop order. We were really excited to see so many people arriving during the morning and we had to send one of our helpers out TWICE to get more bacon, sausages and baps to keep the kitchen stocked! The coffee morning raised nearly £100 for us which is just fantastic and will go a long way. Then at 11pm on Saturday evening a team of our amazing volunteers arrived at the Church again to set up for our night on the streets. We had a quick team briefing and a cup of tea and then headed out in pairs towards Pussycats and Telford Arena to see how the night was going. The Telford Arena was hosting a special tribute night in honour of Georgia Williams to raise money for the Georgia Williams Trust and they had a large crowd of over 16's and over 18's enjoying the night. Pussycats was also very busy and there were still large numbers of people heading into the club up till around 1.30am. Our night got off to a quick start and by 1am we had two young women in our café requiring first aid treatment. One of the young women was very unwell and her friend was very concerned as they hadn't been out for long and neither of them had had a lot to drink and had only been drinking their normal drinks. One of our volunteers (a qualified paramedic) checked her over and from her symptoms he believed her drink had been spiked. We made arrangements to get her to the hospital to be fully assessed and her friend contacted her Mum to let her know what was happening. The two young women were sent off to the PRH with our prayers for a swift recovery. I am sure that the young woman is very grateful for having such a good friend who realised immediately that something was wrong and brought her straight to us. Back outside Pussycats our volunteers came face to face with a man who had been thrown out of the nightclub. He was very agitated and aggressive and when our volunteers tried to talk to him we got no response at all. He was completely vacant and pacing around like a caged animal. We made a few attempts to talk to him but he completely ignored us every time and continued to pace backwards and forwards. Later on in the evening another young man accidentally bumped into him as he was pacing and we were very worried that a fight might erupt but the man didn't even seem to notice. He was outside the nightclub for almost 2 hours before a friend of his left the club. They had a conversation and then headed off to the taxi queue when seconds later we heard a loud thump as the man punched his friend full in the face and then walked off leaving his friend on the ground. His friend got up and got into a taxi leaving the man pacing around outside the club. He didn't leave the area until nearly 4am when the nightclub had closed. During the night several other young men were ejected from the nightclub for having caused trouble inside. We chatted with a few of them and gave out lollipops and one of them apologised for having been aggressive and said he knew he was at fault. One of our volunteers had a really good chat with him and then before he left he went and apologised to the nightclub security staff and said he would make contact with his Doctor to seek help. Another one of the young men who was ejected from the nightclub spent a good deal of time hurling verbal abuse back through the gates of the club at a young woman. Again lollipops seemed to calm the situation but a short while later he was back to being aggressive again and our volunteers had to make the decision to simply stay away from him until he calmed down. Later on we offered him help to get home but he refused and walked away from the area. As the music stopped inside Pussycats a large crowd of nearly 100 people suddenly emerged outside the gates. There was a huge queue of taxi's in the rank but the taxi marshalls had already left so our volunteers became impromtu taxi marshalls and tried to direct people to the right taxi's. The only problem was that all of the taxi's that were in the queue were booked for nightclub staff and the taxis to collect the clubbers were much further down the road and around the corner which made it very difficult to shout out names and our volunteers were having to run up and down the car park to get people. Eventually we decided to call it a night and headed back into the Church to pack away. But our weekend didn't end there! Just a few short hours later some of our volunteers were at the Bowring Park in Wellington setting up a display at the Lions Fun Day. We spent the whole day enjoying the sun and telling people about our project and the fun we get up to. We really hope that some of the people we spoke to will come forward to volunteer for us. Thanks for reading our blog. Please share our posts with your friends as we really do need more volunteers to help us in Wellington so if you know anyone who might be interested in helping just once a month then please tell them about us! Deborah x Here's a photo of the display we created at the Lions Day in the Bowring Park. Two recent news reports linked to the work of CNI Network and local projects:
1 - Violent crime is reducing in the UK - Telepgraph article. All of our local projects partner with the Police to assist with issues within the night-time economy and it is great to see that crime is reducing. 2 - Very sad to read that deaths from alcohol related issues are rising for young women - BBC report. This week we linked with Wash My Pink Jumper UK which is a new organisation looking to help young women wanting to break the binge drink lifestyle. CNI Network also offer: patrols and safe places in 120 communities with people who care for others helping those who are or could become vulnerable; an alcohol and safety education resource to open conversations with young people around alcohol issues; initiatives such as Club Angels (Leeds) getting alongside people in nightclubs; a whole range of links on to other organisations who can support people with alcohol linked issues. This document 'Theft from Person' may be useful in work on the streets at night. The Home Office have worked with partners to pull together this pack which highlights current trends (an 8% increase in this crime – 2012 Police Recorded Crime Figures), key audiences (students and young women), key insights and suggested messaging for theft from person communications.
Messages for students can be found on page 5 and page 6 for young women aged 18-24. In addition there are also messages for local businesses on page 9 to help prevent crime happening on their premises. Download the document here. Take us out, onto the streets, till the streets resound with the sound of your name...
A great song written by Joe Aiken: http://soundcloud.com/joeaikenmusic/the-sound-of-your-name Source
A major crackdown has been launched to tackle rising alcohol and drug-related crime at night-time in Scarborough in a bid to ease pressure on emergency services and improve the town’s image. A draft strategy and action plan, which sets out how the town’s night-time economy will be managed for the next three years, has been drawn up following one of the biggest studies of its kind ever carried out in the area. Data from North Yorkshire Police, Scarborough Council, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue and health services has been pulled together, along with evidence from taxi and takeaway businesses, Pubwatch and Street Angels. The results have painted a startling picture of the current state of the night-time economy in the town – with the bar, pub and club-laden Castle Ward highlighted as the borough’s blackspot. New figures have revealed that 69 per cent of crime and 74 per cent of anti social behaviour incidents in the borough occur within the town centre ward, which is home to St Nicholas Street and St Thomas Street. The data also revealed that higher concentrations of incidents are now happening between midnight and 5am – much later in the night than previously seen. Issues that have been identified in Scarborough include: • A “pre loading” culture – where people drink large amounts of alcohol in their homes before heading into the town centre, often as late as 11pm. Extended opening hours and cheap supermarket booze have been blamed. • A growing drug problem, in particular an increase in people taking Mcat. • Lack of rear smoking areas, which leads to revellers spilling out on to the streets. • Litter, glasses, bottles, food containers and used condoms and vomit having to be regularly cleaned off the streets in the town centre. The plan – which will go out to public consultation until September – sets out a number of measures to prevent and tackle alcohol-related incidents. Recommendations include boosting the police presence, backed up by more visible door staff and multi-agency patrols, as well as the potential use of a “passive drugs dog”. The development of more rear smoking areas for pubs and bars, a crackdown on drinks promotions and handing out more fixed penalty notices for public order offences have also been tabled. With a recognition that organisations, businesses and volunteers could work together more closely, there will also be weekly Saturday night briefings in Scarborough, supported by the continued use of Pub Watch and Taxi Watch. There are also plans for a further consultation with students and young people to establish how widespread the use of drugs such as Mcat are, and a review of CCTV to ensure key areas such as taxi ranks are covered and the quality of images is good. Longer term, agencies are keen to work with licensees in Scarborough to get them to close their doors sooner so that people are encouraged into town earlier. Scarborough Council’s community safety and safeguarding manager, Sandra Rees, said: “Some of the evidence we’ve collated might not make comfortable reading, but for the agencies who oversee the night time economy and the business people who make a living from it, it’s vital we have a good understanding of the problems we face so we can tackle them together. “While the number of incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol is still relatively low, there is a concern shared by everyone working in the night economy about the volume of people who are intoxicated at peak times. “We all want to see a welcoming, safe and vibrant nightlife and by working together, we certainly believe we can have a positive impact.” The draft strategy and action plan will go before Scarborough Council’s cabinet on Tuesday, where it has been recommended for approval alongside plans to launch a public consultation on the scheme. Main aims of new action plan The plan has three main aims: • Reduce alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and crime, including domestic abuse, exploitation and sexual assaults. • Keep people safe, reduce harm and increase public confidence in the night time economy. • Encourage a more diverse evening economy. Six priority areas for action have been identified: a) Safe, effective control and management of crowds along key routes b) High Visibility Presence and proactive enforcement c) Improve data collection, communication and develop more integrated, partnership responses d) Improve training for those working within the night time economy e) Keep people safe f) Reduce the length of the key night time economy period within Scarborough CNI are pleased to introduce you to Tennyson Insurance, who are now offering a 5% discount to any CNI organisation and member. Tennyson Insurance are dedicated and experienced insurers of charities and community groups. Whatever your insurance needs, we are happy and able to help. Our online policies start at just £80, and buying from our website is quick and easy to do. Simply head to www.tennysoninsurance.co.uk/partners-cni to start your quote today. Don't forget to use your discount code 'SACNI' when buying to claim your 5% discount. If you have any questions or would like to speak to one of our friendly, expert team, then call us on 0845 082 2446. Source
VOLUNTEERS are being sought to join a team of ‘Street Angels’ to help people in vulnerable situations in Malton and Norton on Friday and Saturday nights. The scheme has been initiated by PC Jane Jones of Malton Police, and Jane Varey, from Norton, who has volunteered as a Street Angel in York. Jane said the aim was to help keep people safe when they were enjoying a night out. “The scheme was initiated in Halifax and has worked successfully for some time in Scarborough and York,” she said. “Although many projects are church-led, volunteers do not have to have a Christian belief, just a desire to look after other human beings.” Jane said the Street Angels were equipped with bottled water and even flip flops to help people struggling to get home after a night out drinking. “We can step in to help people sober up so they can get home safely or help diffuse situations before it gets out of hand.” Jane said initially the scheme would be run in Malton and Norton but if enough volunteers came forward they could look at extending it across Ryedale, as well as attending concerts and other events. “As well as helping people who need assistance we also want those who want to go out for a meal or a drink in town at weekends to feel that they are safe,” she said. PC Jones said they were looking for about 25 volunteers for the scheme. “Full training will be given including basic first aid, personal safety and topics such as drugs and alcohol. “Volunteers will work in threes, with a mix of men and women, and as well as helping members of the public safe, will also assist the police by acting as extra eyes and ears for officers.” Insp Andy Everitt, of Malton Police said he welcomed the presence of Street Angels in Malton and Norton on Friday and Saturday nights. “They will provide practical support and assistance to people who may be in need of help for a number of reasons, often drink-related,” he said. “They are there to safeguard others and will be establishing close working relationship with our licensees, door-staff, emergency services and most importantly our community who are enjoying a night out in the towns.” Insp Everitt said a friendly face and good communication skills could often diffuse tense situations before they got out of hand. “I am acutely aware that some people can be extremely vulnerable when out drinking in the night-time economy. This can also include making the right choices and being properly tuned into one’s own sexual health,” he said. “Additionally, we have areas in both towns where young people gather during the evening and at night to consume alcohol in public places and again I welcome the presence of Street Angels not as an enforcement body, but as friendly faces who are purely concerned with the safety and well-being of others. It is often the case that when people are going home on foot after a night out they are at their most vulnerable. For more information on becoming a Street Angel, phone PC Jane Jones on 101 or call at Malton Police station. At eleven O'clock yesterday (2nd July 2013) the town of Tamworth gave birth to a new community project in the shape of Tamworth Street Angels.
For those of you who are asking the question, 'What?' Here's the answer: The idea of the Street Angels is that they are a group of volunteers who give up their time between 9:30pm in the evening and 2am in the morning to ensure that those who come into our town to enjoy themselves do exactly that in a safe and secure environment. The Street Angels are there to offer support to those who have enjoyed themselves a little too much and offer water, tea and coffee, a listening ear to make sure that the laughter doesn't turn to tears. When those high heels become a little too high for comfort, the Street Angels are there to offer flip flops and a less fashionable, but safer, choice of footwear and when emotions run high, they are there to defuse the situation and to bring dialogue (or perhaps stop it when it gets to rich) and help restore the conditions that make it all fun again. In short - Street Angels are there to make sure that all those out on the town are as safe as we'd like to think our own children are! They're not a group of vigilantes, 'Guardian Angels', or people looking to get involved as police officers (after all we have a fine bunch of 'Specials' who do that for us) - They're just a bunch of people who want our town to be a safe and enjoyable place to be and what the people partying in it to be as safe as possible too. Interested? email: [email protected] We need people who willing to get involved and the bottom line is that they have to love people and be able to keep their cool when others aren't. We are not out there on the streets to judge or preach or be authoritarian - we are out there because we care enough to want to make a difference. A quick overview of some of things Street Angels Spain have done over the first six patrols:
* been a positive influence, throughout the town, this is hard to quantify, but judging by the feedback from many different people, it is helping people feel safer just by seeing us around. * caused two groups to decide against swimming at night, after drinking * warned PR's and tourists when pick pockets are operating, and encouraged people to move vulnerable bags * picked up around 100 - 150 bottles * helped two guys back to their hotel * removed sharp palm tree branches that were hanging down! * had many conversations about our faith and the motivation behind what we are doing * built friendships with PR staff * had conversations and positive reaction from police on two occasions (when they had time to talk!) * given directions to Taxis, Pharmacies, Hotels and Bars. Below article in Euro Weekly News: Hallelujah, the angels are coming to save Magaluf declared the headline in The Daily Telegraph! One of the latest Street Angels projects to launch is set to be the blueprint for Street Angels across Europe. Paul and Jean joined the team of amazing volunteers in the resort of Santa Ponca and, with Cameron Springthorpe the coordinator, led an team on a walkabout in Magaluf. The launch has been extensively covered on UK and Spanish media including SKY News, BBC News, various radio stations and newspapers and even TripAdvisor! Read more: Press Release (featured in Inspire, News of the Word, BBC News, Halifax Courier) Mallorca Daily News article El Mundo (Spain's biggest on-line and second biggest printed newspaper) BBC Radio Leeds Saturday morning feature In the UK Bridlington Street Angels also launched last month with a commissioning service attended by the Lord Mayor and Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner of Humberside. You can read about the commissioning service here (in the Bridlington Free Press) and the first night on patrol here. Street Angels can work in any community - see here for more information. Festival Pastors and Festival Angels - you can follow the work of:
Calling all Quakers - we are trying to find out how many Quakers are involved in Street Angel schemes so we can develop a support network and exchange ideas and experiences. Drew Mills is based in Hartlepool - but this thought was developed in conjunction with someone from Southampton - and would like to make contact that can be shared amongst Friends. If you are a Quaker please contact Paul and he will put you in touch with Drew. Eighteen local projects gathered together for SHINE (Sharing Hope In Night-time Economy) at St Saviour's Church, Guildford. It was a great day and you can read Paul's report on the day here. The SA-CNI Network AGM was held in June - the evening celebrated many of the things that are being achieved through the work of the Network and local projects. Part of the meeting discussed Membership of SA-CNI and the decision was made to automatically make every local project listed on our Projects page members which offers voting rights at the AGM. The only other members will be the Trustees with others who wish to stand with the work of SA-CNI offered Supporters. The work of SA-CNI is at its strongest with the launch into Majorca and the publicity surrounding that and with new initiatives such as Club Angels and the work within music festivals. Financially we are thankful to Lempriere Pringle Trust - Mr Jonathan Ruffer - for a donation of £20,000, to several local projects who have made annual donations and we are currently awaiting a decision from the Lottery fund. You can: read the minutes here / statutory accounts / balance sheet overview - SA-CNI, Halifax SA, Blackpool SA. Dude With Wings - the new range of dude with wings products are now available for local projects to purchase at half retail price. These products - greetings cards, mugs, key-rings, magnets, posters and wall plaques - are great for fundraising and as a local project you can make available at talks, in your base, at local churches, etc. Most of the products can be printed with your local logo and text. See this page for information. The August SA-CNI National Conference is drawing close. This weekend is set to equip you and inspire you for work within the night-time economy alongside opportunities for networking and fun. Visit this page for more information. Paul filmed a video for Churches Together in England sharing our work and Huddersfield Street Angels have a new film which includes interviews with Right Rev. Tony Robinson - the Bishop of Pontefract and Patron of SA-CNI Network:
From our Blog: Huddersfield Street Angels joined by Bishop of Pontefract Rock on Tommy - Bobby Ball becomes patron of Blackpool Street Angels Vic the Vicar spends night with Burton Street Angels Leeds Street Angels and Beth Tash in Church of England Commissioners Report (page 3) Strengthening ties between faith groups and local authorities Stockton Town Pastors June Newsletter Belper Street Angels celebrate one year Oldham Street Angels - highly commended community group / Deputy Leader of Oldham Council joins Street Angels for the night Bradford Street Angels rescue confused York man A shining new product - heat protective body warmer (an alternative to foil blankets) 5 Pints 4 Shots 3 AM 2 Spilt Drinks 1 Punch One Punch Can Kill! - YouTube video (West Yorkshire Police social media campaign) Also see our Social Media:
Tweet highlights: Here's a shout out to the Uxbridge Street Angels #CoolPeople #RestoredMyFaithInHumanity Thanks guys for keeping the unfortunate safe -Peace @SurreyHeathBeat @InspSurreyHeath pays tribute to #Camberley #StreetAngels in helping to reduce Town Centre Crime @cclynneOwens - support from Street Angels, etc 4 police staff & volunteers means an awful lot & is needed now more than ever. #pray4police Here an angel, there an angel, everywhere are #StreetAngels Absolutely AMAZING night out with Burton Street Angels! Only just got home! #burtonstreetangels #streetangels A girl clubbing in Tiger Tiger last night just txt saying thnks 4 helping her find her bag & 4 sorting her out #answeredprayer #clubangels Community Angel training tonight 7:30 at the #Summit @KFYorkshire @Scarborough_UK @cninet . Exciting times ahead. Quiet on Street Angels tonight @LdsStreetAngels - although I have been kissed on the cheek by a Rocky Horror fan! Bizarre stuff! loving my flip flops from the street angels!!!!!! Diary: Tue 16th July - Paul speaking at launch of Calderdale College Connect Network (an event for former pupils and staff of Calderdale College) Wed 17th - Mon 22nd July - Festival Pastors at Latitude Festival in Suffolk - please pray and follow the work on Twitter and Facebook Thu 18th July - Paul is leading a Social Media and Your Organisation training course, 10am - 12.30pm at The King's Centre, Halifax - see here for information Fri 19th July - Paul and Jean at Festival of Life North, 7pm onwards at Manchester Evening News Arena - see web site for information Tue 23rd July - Paul speaking at Scholes Church on work of SA-CNI. Sat 27th July - Steve Price is visiting Paul and Jean as part of a mentoring programme Sat 10th - Sun 18th August - Edinburgh Festival outreach - to be part of this contact Paul Wed 21st - Mon 26th August - Leeds Festival Angels - see web site for more details Fri 30th August - Sun 1st September - Street Angels - CNI Network National Conference, Staverton Park, Daventry - cost £150 for full weekend (including bed, all meals, use of hotel facilities and conference contents) - see this page for details #CNIPrayer this month: Lerwick (Shetland Isles) Town Pastors / Larne NightLight / Yarm Town Pastors / Headingley Street Angels, Leeds / Whitby Street Angels / York Street Angels / Biggleswade Street Angels / Walton-on-Thames Street Angels / Chichester City Angels You can see full details and other months on this page. Please also pray this month for Latitude Festival Pastors, the National SA-CNI Conference in August, Leeds Festival Angels over August Bank Holiday Weekend and those heading to European resorts over the summer - for safety and those teams working with Street Angels in Santa Ponca on Majorca, 24-7 prayer in Ibiza and The Living Room in Tenerife. Street Angels - CNI Network National Conference Friday 30th August - Sunday 1st September Staverton Park Hotel, Daventry - £150 for full weekend or £30 for Saturday daytime only Workshops: An insight into Counter Terrorism and the Night-time Economy Sexual Healing Churches Working Together Working with Police and Local Authorities Trafficking and Street Grooming Alcohol and Safety Education Resource Networking - hear about what God is doing in other projects - hear about new initiatives such as Club Angels and Youth Angels - make new links and friends - enjoy the hotel facilities - don't miss it! Speakers: DC Thomas Spencer (North East Counter Terrorism Unit) Gerald Coates - founder of Pioneer, author, broadcaster, church leader Debra Green OBE - founder of Redeeming Our Communities, author, regular on TV and radio Roy Crowne - Executive Director and one of founders of HOPE Together Dave and Mandy Scott-Morgan - Dave is formerly of ELO, Mandy a drug and alcohol trainer Tam Sheen - founder of CALLA working with families of those groomed and trafficked Tony Buck - schools worker and creator of Alcohol and Safety Education Resource All are welcome - this is ideal for those running night-time projects or those looking at running a night-time project. Book and more details here. “I am delighted to send you my good wishes as you prepare for the CNI Network National Conference 2013. The witness of Christians through work in night-time projects brings Jesus’ own ministry of welcome to our streets and I am immensely grateful for the difference you make to the lives of vulnerable people. My prayers are with you, that you and all who serve in this way may be strengthened through faith and may bring God’s love to those you meet.” Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby
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Last weekend Deputy Leader Shoab Akhtar (pictured below with volunteers) was made an honorary Street Angel for the night as he braved the rain until 2.30am to join volunteers in helping to make sure revellers had a safe night. The Oldham Street Angels were formed just over a year ago and work from a base on Yorkshire Street provided free of charge by a local businessman. Co-ordinator Rev Jean Hurlston said: “We’re not on patrol, we try to have a positive presence in the town centre, and we’re there because we care. Their work includes sweeping up broken glass, reuniting lost revellers with their friends, and handing out bottles of water and flip flops at the end of the evening. Source
Last night I was privileged to spend some time with Burton's Street Angels as they went about their Thursday night engagement with the partying population of that place. Going out in teams of four, each one having a role as Team Leader, Mel, briefed the others (who fulfilled roles doing First Aid, Radio Communications and the like) on last week's experiences and provided general intelligence of what was happening in the community (end of term for the college) and what they might expect. This done the team loaded up and went out to work their patch (with me as gooseberry in two :-)) and what I saw was great. There were the guys who work at getting people into their clubs, the security people (doormen) and the general populace were all in evidence and the team were greeted and engaged with as friends. No wonder as they make life simpler by helping those who have had a little too much to drink, provide flip flops for those who can no longer balance on the amazing hiiiiiigh heels, pass out water, provide tea, coffee and help those who would otherwise get into trouble stay out of it! As they walked the streets, one of those who passed them asked, "What are Street Angels?' to which the bloke she was with said, 'They look after you if you get drunk.' Never has a truer word been said! Street Angels are there to help those enjoying themselves do so in a safe and protected environment and many do it because it's an extension of their Christian ministry of getting out there and serving their communities - want to know more? Then find one in your area and if you can't - then it's time to talk to CNI and start one where you are :-) Having graduated on 15th June, the Bridlington Street Angels were raring to go.
Those who were to be leaders had already been chosen and it was six of those leaders who went out on the first patrol, to familiarise themselves with the night time economy scene in Bridlington. We had already had discussions with the Humberside Police who warmly welcomed us into the “Keeping Bridlington Safer” family. Currently Bridlington is the place in East Yorkshire with the highest occurrence of violent crime and has consequently been provided with extra police cover on Friday and Saturday nights over the summer holiday season - so we were not surprised to see several police cars and vans patrolling the streets as well as officers on foot. We chose a route which took us past The Spa just as the audience was leaving, then through the harbour onto the front where most of the night clubs are situated. Two of us, having worked as Street Pastors in Wolverhampton, were not sure how it would compare, but they found that it was similar, though on a smaller scale. Other colleagues had been ‘observers’ with Scarborough Street Angels and found it alike in the two seaside towns. The largest numbers of occurrences were when we were asked questions as to why we were doing it, which gave us the wonderful opportunity to tell people that it is because God loves them and that we want to be a blessing to Bridlington. Next came lots of hugs and thanks and congratulations for doing it. Then there were several positive personal conversations with revellers and door staff, to encourage them as we could. We also picked up several bottles and glasses and disposed of them so that they could not be used as weapons. One night club manager kindly offered us the use of his facilities for a hot drink when we are out on patrol, something which we will most probably take up, though at the moment our plans is to have a break around midnight at our base in Church House before going out till 2 or 3am We have 14 Street Angels, so are able to put a team of three or four out on a Saturday night. (We only ask people to commit to one patrol a month as, although it is very enjoyable, patrolling is a very intensive, high energy consuming activity). We hope that over the next few months we will get more people offering to train as Bridlington Street Angels so that we can also have a team going out on Friday nights. As this first patrol was mainly a ‘recce’ patrol, we finished at 12.45am and returned to base to debrief and pray for the people we had met. We are very excited at what the Lord is doing and is going to do in Bridlington, through Street Angels. Paul and Jean joined around 160 volunteers from 18 night-time projects at the Sharing Hope In Night-time Economy Conference in Guildford on Saturday, 22nd June.
The event aimed to bring together night-time initiatives such as Street Angels, Street Pastors and similar to network and develop the work they do within the region. The day started with coffee before Andrew Wheeler, vicar at St Saviour's in Guildford and Street Angel, welcomed those from the 18 represented projects. Paul Blakey then shared about the work of Street Angels - CNI Network. He started by sharing that the heart and vision of what is happening within the night-time economy is "God's Kingdom come, God's will be done, on earth as in heaven" and that as we patrol the streets and impact communities and individuals God's Kingdom is increasingly being established as reality. Paul then shared stories and development within the network including Club Angels, Street Angels Majorca, Youth Angels and Love Your Streets. Next up was Chief Constable of Surrey Police, Lynne Owens. Lynne started by thanking the volunteers saying they were modern day Good Samaritans who help keep people safe. The work of the Police and the links that are and could be developed in terms of recent and ongoing cuts in the Police budget was spoken about and Lynne shared how the work of and support from volunteer groups such as Street Angels meant an awful lot to Police officers and is needed now more than ever. Lynne and Paul then joined Debra Green, founder of Redeeming Our Communities, for a question and answer session with a wide range of topics covered including sexual grooming, helping the night-time economy move from binge to better, young people and alcohol, the need for person led approach and the openness we have as volunteers to offer prayer for people on the streets. After a lunch with conversations to help develop the thoughts from the morning Debra Green spoke about the work of ROC. Again lots of exciting stories about community and person transformation were shared through projects such as ROC Cafe, ROC Conversations, ROC Advice and ROC Bus. Debra commented that to 'identify the need then find the solution is all you need for social action' and ROC is showing how this can work across the UK. The day was an excellent time of networking, linking between projects in the region and hearing of ways God is opening the doors time and time again to impact people and communities even more. |
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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 |