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In an exciting new initiative to further enhance Altrincham’s nighttime offer, Altrincham BID, in collaboration with St George’s Church and ROC Angels, is proud to announce the launch of Street Angels in Altrincham. This community-driven project is seeking passionate volunteers to join its ranks. Mandy White, Altrincham BID Director explained, “Altrincham first achieved the Purple Flag award in 2023, which recognises areas that have a safe, vibrant and diverse nighttime economy. Street Angels was one of the recommendations to come out of the initial Purple Flag assessment and we have now successfully secured a Community Safety Grant through Trafford Council to help make it happen. The scheme will provide additional support at particularly busy times like payday weekends, and in the run up to Christmas”. What Are Street Angels? Street Angels are volunteers who will provide a reassuring presence in the town centre during busy weekend evenings. Their role is to offer practical assistance, emotional support, and a listening ear to anyone who may need help. Comprehensive Training and Support All Street Angel volunteers will receive thorough training to ensure they are equipped for the challenges of the role. Training will cover:
Volunteers will also carry a specially equipped rucksack containing practical items such as flip-flops, foil blankets, sanitary products, plasters, water, and even lollipops. Get Involved – Make a Difference! If you have the passion to make a positive impact in Altrincham, Altrincham BID would like to invite you to become part of the Street Angels team.
Official Launch The first patrol weekend is set to coincide with the "Taste of Altrincham" event on 28th February 2025, with regular patrols starting from Easter onwards. Street Angels are set to soon be roaming the streets of Birkenhead on weekend nights, after a first shift on Mad Friday.
Street Angels is a new project for Birkenhead set to establish during 2025, where trained volunteers will be roaming the streets during weekend nights to support people in vulnerable or difficult situations. Wirral based charity, Hitched Communities, has been funded to pilot the project, after being awarded a Step Up Fund grant, a government fund that supports Community, Voluntary and Faith Sector organisations to enable better health and wellbeing in the community. It is one of five Step Up funded gamechanger projects to help deliver Wirral’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy linked to reducing violence. Gary Wootten, Director of Hitched Communities, and shift leader, said “We’re excited to get this project live. It has the potential to help a lot of vulnerable people and help make Birkenhead feel and be a safer place to live, work and spend time at night. Everyone was very supportive on the streets during our first shift. We now need volunteers to join the team to help as many vulnerable people at night as possible”. Paul Blakey MBE, CEO of ROC Angels said “We’re so pleased to see a Street Angels project in Birkenhead. We see many people supported on the streets through Angels projects around the country and are looking forward to helping the project thrive”. Amy Butterworth, CEO of Make It Happen and volunteer, said “The shift was really insightful. I would do it again. When I heard about the project, our instinct was to offer A Place of Contribution as the project’s community base. So pleased the space can be used to help this project”. Greg Epton, Senior Pastor of Gateway Church Birkenhead and volunteer, said “I’m excited by this project and all it can become. I see it as a great opportunity for the community to come together and re-imagine Birkenhead for the better”. Hitched Communities has been funded to co-design, implement and evaluate a ROC Angels project in Birkenhead, collaborating with night-time economy partners and the faith community to establish a roaming welfare street team service to address the emotional and physical needs of vulnerable individuals, enhance local safety and signpost available services, whilst recruiting and training volunteers from diverse backgrounds. Street Angels Birkenhead will run on weekend nights as often as possible from the start of February 2025. To find out more about the project and enquire about volunteering visit www.streetangelsbirkenhead.org.uk Facebook: Street Angels Birkenhead Instagram: @streetangelsbirkenhead Street Angels are encouraging people to #Do1NiceThing each day during Lent.
#Do1NiceThing started in 2011 as a challenge to encourage people to give out over Lent instead of giving up. Paul Blakey MBE, founder of Street Angels, says, "Not everyone has the capacity to sign up as a Street Angel and work into the early hours of weekend nights in town and city centres. "However more people can commit to doing one act of niceness each day that would make life better for others or the wider community. "#Do1NiceThing is about loving the person in front of you, making positive steps to make life better for others and yourself in the process." The website do1nicething.org.uk contains a menu of ideas including engaging in conversation with those who serve you, shopping locally, creating a wildlife garden and becoming a nicer driver. Although people are encouraged to #Do1NiceThing year round, Lent is a good time to join with others and create a community around the concept. Lent, which runs from Wednesday 5th March 2025 until Easter Sunday, is a time of reflection and preparation for Easter and is linked to Jesus spending 40 days in the wilderness fasting and praying. Lent is seen as a time to reflect on important values and relationships and to combine prayer and action that seeks to make a difference for other people, communities and the world. Ideas and more information can be found at www.do1nicething.org.uk Two volunteers from Nantwich Street Angels appear on a Christmas special 'Miracles' hosted by Steven Frayne (formerly Dynamo). The Guardian write up says:
In Manchester, he meets Musondo and Amaka, members of the Street Angels – a volunteer group that patrols the city in the early hours, offering help to vulnerable and distressed people – and conjures a plumy white feather out of the light of their phones in honour of their moniker. The Sky Max website says of the show: Steven Frayne, fresh from saying goodbye to the name Dynamo, is bringing some magic to the Christmas period with new Sky Original series, Miracles. Returning to his street magic roots, Steven will be seen heading off around the country, delivering some mind-blowing moments to crowds and unearthing everyday heroes. In this epic 90-minute special, Miracles will see Steven push himself to the limits with an astonishing climax as he prepares to take the ultimate risk with a death-defying stunt. Vowing the “miracle to end all miracles”, Miracles will be filled of inspiration and wonder as he defies logic to bring his must-watch act to the world.
At the end of another year ROC Angels wants to say THANK YOU to all who are part of the ROC Angels family - you are amazing! Volunteers, supporters, partners, coordinators, those who encourage and pray - you are all part of the ROC Angels story and impact. 2024 was an incredible year with new Festival Angels and Street Angels. Our amazing teams continue to make the difference in local communities through loving the person in front of them. ROC Angels hopes you have an amazing Christmas. We look forward to continued partnership towards safer and kinder communities in 2025. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! (thanks to Jimmy Cricket for use of 'Selfie with an Elfie' - watch the full version here) To play at full screen press play then click the two arrows on the bottom right corner. |
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 |