WALTON Street Angels have handed out six pairs of flip-flops, helped numerous revellers and even recruited more volunteers in the first three nights in action.
The Angels are giving up their Friday nights to offer advice and support to those drinking in the town’s pubs and bars. The last of the 17 volunteers trained to take on the roles of Street Angels, went out for the first time on Friday (July 8). Other volunteers had already been out. Tanja Chai, of Stuart Avenue, Walton, is the co-ordinator for the group. She said: “It has been going very well. "We have found that many people we speak to are very enthusiastic about the project. "The first night we went out it was raining heavily, but we still spoke to people outside bars and pubs. “We met a very drunk couple and the woman was not very well at all. "We made sure she was okay to go home with the man. We are not the police though but we are there to help. “The second night was warm and it was a peaceful evening. “The flip-flops were handed out to women who were relieved to wear flatter shoes, one girl even lost a shoe. “We want to encourage people to put them in their bag and take them when they next go out.” The flip-flops are just one of the items the angels carry with them including thermo blankets, lollipops and first-aid kits. The Street Angels’ main aim is to offer help to those who may be vulnerable as a result of homelessness, drunkenness, drug abuse, violence or any other issue which has caused distress or the potential for physical harm. Churches in Walton began recruiting for the scheme earlier this year. The project was set up with support from Elmbridge Community Safety Partnership, Surrey Police and the Elmbridge Multi-Faith forum, at a cost of £9,000. Since starting on the streets two more people have signed up to help. Mrs Chai added: “Several young people have said they would like to help out which is great. "We currently only work three Fridays a month but hope to extend to all Fridays and Saturdays. We do need more volunteers.” Anyone interested in volunteering should call Julian Lomas on 07802 957938 or email [email protected]. Source: http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2096433_street_angels_step_out_in_walton Comments are closed.
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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 |