![]() My name is Claire Suntharalingam and I am the new City Pastor Coordinator for Bath. Dennis Pearson has decided to step back from this role after an incredible time serving both the team and community over the last decade. Dennis has done an outstanding job, leading the team to its current success and positively impacting many lives along the way. I am sure I speak on behalf of so many when I say how grateful we are to all that Dennis has given over these years. I became a City Pastor myself back in the early months of 2024 so still have much to learn. In this short space of time however, I have seen just how much enthusiasm and dedication has been given to the service over the years and how widely respected it is amongst the Bath community. I have enjoyed seeing how a wonderfully diverse group of volunteers, can unite with the common goal of serving God and sharing the love and compassion of Jesus Christ with everyone we encounter on the streets. I became a Christian after University and travelled for some years in the UK and abroad. I married my husband Jay in 2003 and finally settled in Bath in 2008. For a number of years volunteered as a youth worker for church and loved engaging with young people. We have two teenagers ourselves, a daughter aged 17 and a son aged 19, both of which keep me busy as Mum. I qualified as a nurse in 1996 and worked in Intensive Care before becoming a Donor Transplant Coordinator. I later left nursing to run my own business as an Interior Stylist but later returned to the career just prior to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. I now work as a Practice Nurse and enjoy the much calmer pace. I recognize that continuing the excellent work that Dennis has established cannot be done alone. While I may not have years of BCP experience or knowledge, I will do my utmost to lead as God directs and guides me, with the support of the amazing team that comprises the Bath City Pastors. I kindly ask for your prayers as I lean on and listen to God enabling us to continue to nurture and grow the role of the Bath City Pastor in our ever-changing society. Bath City Pastors website Source - BBC Lancashire
A "safe space" for people to go for help on a night out has been launched in Blackpool following a pilot last summer. Based at 1 Clifton Street, it aims to provide assistance to residents and visitors who may need some guidance. Open between 22:00 and 03:00 each Saturday, it is managed by Blackpool and Fylde Street Angels, who also walk around the town centre and engage with people who appear vulnerable, have lost their friends or are struggling to get home. Founder Paul Rawson said: "Over 30 years ago I experienced it myself, wondering how I got home sometimes, so I wanted to do something to help." He said the project saw "people worse for wear, people who'd been abandoned by their friends, who wanted to carry on enjoying themselves" and aimed to "help people, try to get them sobered up and help with first aid to save admissions to A&E". "We give them water and flip flops to people who are walking round town in their bare feet," he said. "Taxi drivers don't want to be taking someone home if they think they're going to be throwing up in the back of the cab." The vulnerable can recuperate, charge their mobiles or get further help if they are worried about their condition or need treatment for minor injuries. They can also access the safer taxi scheme to get back home in accredited taxis. The Safe Space initiative also works with Lancashire Police and Blackpool Council. Councillor Paula Burdess, cabinet member for community safety, neighbourhoods and street scene, said: "Since the scheme was piloted in the summer we have successfully managed to help a number of people who may have been in difficulty and needed a helping hand. "Our teams and partners are playing a really important role in keeping people safe and we thank them for their efforts." Blackpool Gazette article Download the PDF and clickable QR codes
Gambling Harms Nightlife environments, such as bars and clubs, can involve alcohol and drug use, which can increase the likelihood of gambling. People under the influence may make impulsive decisions, including gambling, which can lead to harmful consequences such as poor mental health, financial issues and relationship struggles. Ygam’s free training for Community & Faith Leaders will equip you with the knowledge surrounding gambling harms in relation to young people. Although the legal age for gambling is 18 in the UK, the recent Gambling Commission report found 27% of 11-17 year olds had gambled in the past 12 months. Research shows that children exposed to gambling at a young age are found to be four times more likely to go on to experience gambling harms themselves. Our two hour City & Guilds online training covers topics such as the blurred lines between gaming and gambling; the role religion and culture can play in relation to gambling; supporting young people through effective conversations and signposting young people to support services. Following the training you’ll also get access to a range of optional Alumni sessions on topics like Cryptocurrency, Streaming, LGBTQ+, and Lived Experience of Gambling. You will also have access to a range of resources that can be used in your volunteering, and with young people you may encounter in your working or everyday lives. We also run information sessions for parents and carers which is 75 minutes in duration (also free). To find out more about our Community and Faith Leader training dates follow this link. To find out more about our Parent and Carer training dates please click here. My Journey with Chester Street Angels I'm Samantha-Leigh, and my days are consumed by my property business, Homes by Hampson. The demands of my work often leave little time for myself, and I felt a deep yearning to do something more meaningful. That's when I discovered Chester Street Angels, a voluntary support group that provides assistance to the vulnerable on the streets of Chester. Joining Chester Street Angels wasn't just about giving back to the community; it was a lifeline for me to step outside my daily grind and connect with people on a profound level. Little did I know the incredible experiences and heartfelt moments that awaited me. On my very first shift, I met individuals whose resilience and stories humbled me. Each person on the street had a unique narrative, a testament to human endurance in the face of adversity. Some found an unexpected freedom in their street life, while others struggled against the cold and harsh conditions. I felt privileged to offer them small tokens of comfort—a hat, a bottle of water, a lollipop. Their smiles and gratitude for these simple acts of kindness were profoundly moving. As we patrolled the city, picking up broken glass and discarded bottles, I realized how vital our work was. We weren't just cleaning up; we were preventing potential harm. A particularly touching moment was when we handed out flip-flops to women who had abandoned their high heels in favor of walking barefoot. Seeing their relief and knowing we had spared them from injury was incredibly rewarding. One evening, during the Chester races, I was scheduled for a 5-10 pm shift. We received a distress call about a person in crisis. We spent nearly two hours offering emotional support until medical help arrived. The feeling of knowing we had made a tangible difference in someone's life in their moment of need was indescribable. Feeling compelled to do more, I extended my shift to the second shift that finishes at 3am. Just ten minutes into the shift, we responded to another emergency—a person with a severe head injury. I provided emergency medical help and coordinated with emergency services. The gravity of the situation underscored the critical role we played in the community. Later that night, we found a person vulnerable freezing cold intoxicated and lost, with no phone and no idea where they were staying. Ensuring their safety became our priority getting them warmed up and sobered with water and safe to their hotel. Shortly after, we encountered a young woman who had been spiked. Disoriented and separated from her partner, she was incredibly vulnerable. This experience opened my eyes to the dangers that can arise from a seemingly normal night out. Volunteering with Chester Street Angels has shown me the profound impact of our work. We collaborate with emergency services and door staff, all united in our mission to keep others safe. Although I'm not part of the church that supports this project, the warmth and welcome I've received have been overwhelming.
Chester Street Angels is more than just a volunteer group; it’s a lifeline for so many. It’s a beacon of hope in the darkness, providing safety, support, and compassion. We desperately need awareness, support, and funding to continue our vital work. I invite you to join us, volunteer, donate hats, support us, and help us make a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Your support can help keep Chester a safer place and ensure that no one feels alone in their time of need. Please consider supporting Chester Street Angels. Together, we can continue to provide a lifeline to the vulnerable, a warm hand to hold in times of crisis, and a beacon of hope in our community. |
ROC Angels NewsThis blog is a place for stories and news updates from within the ROC Angels family. |
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 |