​On the eve of the Longest Day in 2019, Paul Blakey (Street Angels founder) took this photo of dramatic sky as he queued for the best ice cream in Savannah!

Life has changed in these last 3 years in so many ways for all of us. But this amazing, awesome, breathtaking sky was part of a storm a'brewin'!

Whatever storm is brewin' take time to find the amazing, awesome and breathtaking.

Stand back and get hold of the bigger perspective that the storm is only temporary.

Just as the 30 minute ice cream queue became a shared experience as we stood in awe at this sky together (and hoping we would be inside before the rains came) so our storms and life journey is best lived out as a shared experience - we need one another!
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And, most importantly, if it all gets too much go get ice cream! Life is too short not to do and eat the things you enjoy and that bring happiness! And in doing so the storm may pass you by as you tuck in!!!

​#GoGetIceCream

Go to ucb.co.uk/ruth and scroll down the interviews then click on Maddison's to listen.

Angels head to Kendal Calling media release:

One of the the North West's largest music festivals is looking for Angels to offer support and assistance to some of the thirty thousand festival-goers.

Kendal Calling happens annually at Lowther Deer Park just outside Penrith and this year runs from 28th July until 1st August. For the third year teams of Christian based Festival Angels will be running Safe Hub caravans.

With acts including Stereophonics, Bastille and Eurovision runner up Sam Ryder, the Festival Angels will be on hand to offer a safe place where people can come to chat, grab a cuppa and seek help and advice. 

Paul Blakey MBE, the founder of Street Angels and CEO of ROC Angels says, "After two years when Kendal Calling was unable to happen, it is fantastic to be heading back to the fields to be Festival Angels at Kendal Calling. In 2019 our team of amazing volunteers assisted hundreds of young people in the Safe Hub caravans helping them to have a safe and enjoyable Kendal Calling experience. We are looking to build the team for 2022 to offer two 24 hour safe hubs over the festival week."

To find out more or to sign up to volunteer visit festivalangels.org.uk/kendalcalling . 
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Source

Quote from article:

“We are committed to ensuring our communities feel safe when they are out and about, including when they use public transport.

“Our Youth Service have partnered up with Oldham Street Angels to launch a new initiative called Trusted People to help residents feel safe and confident when using the local tram network.

“Our officers have engaged with more than 720 young people as part of this, with staff and volunteers riding on the Metrolink, visiting local tram stops and the areas around them, to provide a friendly face in case residents felt uneasy. Our Detached Youth Work team also run regular youth work sessions along local Metrolink stops and we have more investment coming into the Youth Service to deliver similar work across the borough.

Source

A community group which helps people enjoying a night out stay safe has received a welcome funding boost from Father Christmas himself.

Hartlepool Town Pastors, who organise weekend patrols of their volunteer Street Angels, were presented with £300 from Peter Richardson, Worshipful Master of the Harbour of Refuge Lodge 764 of Hartlepool Freemasons.

Peter, who has played Father Christmas for 20 years, donned his Santa suit again last year for groups that support people in Hartlepool.

He chose Hartlepool Town Pastors as one of three local good causes to benefit and comes as they start a recruitment drive to find more volunteers.

The pastors’ Street Angels patrol the town centre on a Saturday night to look after revellers, including seeing they can get home safely.

Peter said: “I’ve found even small amounts can make a big difference to charities like the street angels.

“People started offering us donations to help others. That’s part of the Santa tradition – and it just grew from there.

He added: “It’s been great to meet some of the street angels and I really hope their recruitment drive succeeds.”
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Peter also gave £300 to Citizens Advice in Hartlepool, and £200 to TLC Teddies.

The Street Angels hope to increase their activities after the pandemic resulted in the town centre being quieter for the last two years.

They patrol Church Street and the York Road-Victoria Road area of the town’s nightlife every Saturday from 11pm-4am.

Chairman Terry Hegarty said: “The money will go to help the publicity and contact work needed to find the right blend of women and men to join our team of volunteers.

"They learn to speak to people, out for a night enjoying themselves, who suddenly find they need some help.

“To have Peter Richardson and his colleagues step up to recognise that work and offer a substantial donation to help us is a great boost and perfect for the longer summer nights ahead.”

The Street Angels are assisted by door staff, the emergency services, Hartlepool Borough Council, Reach Out Ministries in Whitby Street, Poolie Time Exchange who provide a rest room, and Lilyanne’s café who provide refreshments into the early hours.

To book visit: eventbrite.co.uk/e/roc-conference-go-higher-registration-342641388617