Source - Positively Putney

We are delighted to announce we will be launching a safe space on Friday nights in Putney alongside Street Angels in April 2024. The goal of the safe space pilot is to ensure that people of all ages and backgrounds feel safe using the area at night, whether they be a resident or a customer. Through this we would free up business resources, ease pressure on local police and the NHS by creating an area to suit a variety of needs to night time users.

We are reaching out to local people who would be interested in volunteering their time. The team will consist of three groups of four each of which will work a minimum of one night a month. You will be provided with full training which includes subjects such as counselling skills, drug awareness, knowing your community and street safety. All the initial training will be provided on Saturday 16th March from 10am to 5pm being held in Putney (lunch will be provided). Speakers will include Paul Blakey, founder of Street Angels and Joanne Cox-Brown from Night Time Economy Solutions. If people cannot attend that date we will be holding another session later in the year so please sign up so that we know of your interest.

In February 2022, Wandsworth borough undertook an audit of the town centres between 6pm and 6am through a series of night drives. During this audit it became clear that Putney has the most thriving night time economy in the borough, with patrons continuing to use the area long after most of the night time venues have closed. The town centre was notably busy until 4am, despite only one venue still being open until that time. Many young people stayed on the streets buying fast-food and continuing to socialise.

Street Angels was launched in Halifax in November 2005 as a response by Churches Together and YMCA in the town to the problems around the nightlife. Violence, sexual assaults, under age and binge drinking meant the town was a no go area for many people. The project went from idea to reality in just over two weeks and had the full support of the town centre’s Police. As the project became a success very quickly representatives from other towns and cities across the UK (and beyond) visited Halifax or spoke to the founder Paul Blakey about Street Angels.

The range of people Street Angels come into contact with varies but they always offer their support: those who find themselves homeless; families and elderly people leaving the cinema and wanting someone to walk with them to their car; young people who have lost contact with friends; those who have drunk too much; those needing low level medical assistance; young ladies needing flip-flops because the high heels are impossible to walk in; young men in need of a lollipop to calm aggression or to help reduce noise as a nightclub empties; or simply those wanting to chat or ask directions. Our Putney Street Angel teams will create a better, safer night-time economy in Putney.

​If you are interested in being involved in this project please fill out this very short form.

Sue Coleman share an update from Colwyn Bay Street Angels 12/02/2024

Colwyn Bay Street Angels was launched on 21st April 2023. We start @20 Station Road in the town centre and go out on Fridays from 8pm onwards. We have a core team with others joining in when they can. The team members live in the area and belong to some of the local churches. We need at least three people when we go out and we do one or two shifts depending on how many people we have on the night. If we have only have three people then we all go out together and do several patrols of the town. If we have more people then one team can go out while the other team stays @20 and provide a safe space for anyone who needs to come in. The teams often do some litter picking when they go out and often receive appreciation from people for doing this.

The commitment of the teams to go out every week regardless is a silent but powerful witness to the community. This is also important in building up relationships with people as they see us regularly and don't see us a threat.  As we greet them, they will often stop to chat and tell us about themselves. Sometimes we can signpost them to places where they can find help. There are two main pubs in the town centre and we have built up good relationships with the security teams there.

Sometimes the people we meet on the street are 'worse for wear' but we can still listen to them. One of these was a man who was very drunk that we had met in the grounds of the local parish church. He told us about the relationship that he had with his parents and it wasn't good. We asked him if he would like us to pray with him and he said he would like to get closer to his parents. We met him a while later and he told us that he had had a stroke and that his parents had come to look after him.  The next thing we heard was that he had died and his parents came to thank us for being so kind to him.

Another time we found a man who was slumped in the doorway of one of the vacant shops in town. We made him a coffee and tried to find out who he was and where he lived but without much success. A man who was standing nearby started telling us about his own problems so we asked if he'd like us to pray with him. He said yes and also asked us to pray for the man slumped in the doorway. After praying, this man said he knew what to do and found out the man's name and address then phoned for a taxi which he paid for and the team were then able to help get him home.

Another time we were called by one of the security staff at one of the local pubs and asked if we could help a lady who was in a bad way on a bench outside. We bought her into the safe space and cleaned her up then stayed with her until she had recovered enough to get her home. These are just a few of the significant encounters that we have had but there are many others including encouraging people in some of the local businesses and interacting with some of the local young people who love getting lollies or bottled water from the teams. 
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Being part of the Street Angels team is a privilege. It is a sacrifice but it's worth it and it's not hard, it's often just a matter of loving the person in front of you.

Could you be part of the Rhyl and Towyn Street Angels team in 2024...

Message from Carmarthen Nightlight:

Sadly, the last Carmarthen NightLight team went out on the streets last night. Unfortunately, things have changed since the pandemic and we have found it increasingly hard to recruit new volunteers. We celebrated our 13th anniversary on 15th January and, apart from 18 months during the pandemic, we've had a team out every weekend since 15th January 2011 except for one or two weekends when it's been dangerously icy.

We are sorry to have to stop fufilling a ministry which we've found rewarding and fun! However, those of us who've been doing it for 13 years are starting to feel our age and it's time to call it a day.

We wish you all well and thank you for the many hugs and expressions of appreciation you've given us!

ROC Angels thank the team who have invested so much into the community of Carmarthen over the last 13 years. Well done on all the amazing you have achieved. 

Source

In Nantwich town centre, the Alpha Omega WPS Foundation’s Street Angels initiative has proven to be a beacon of hope and support, especially during the bustling New Year period. This community-driven campaign, comprising dedicated volunteers, has left an indelible mark on the streets, offering a helping hand to those in need.

Armed with backpacks filled with first aid equipment, water, flip-flops, and thermal blankets, the Nantwich Street Angels embarked on their mission during the late-night hours providing assistance and comfort to young individuals who may find themselves worse for wear after a night of revelry or facing distressing situations such as separation from friends or loss of belongings.

The impact of this initiative has been nothing short of extraordinary. Pub and club-goers have found solace in the presence of our volunteers, who patrolled the streets from late night to the early hours, ready to lend a supportive hand. We’re proud that the Street Angels have truly become a symbol of community care and solidarity.

As the campaign gains momentum, the Street Angels are calling for more local individuals to join their ranks. The success of the initiative over the New Year period is a testament to the positive change that can be achieved when communities unite for a common cause. The more individuals involved, the greater the impact on the safety and well-being of the community during vulnerable night time hours.

​This campaign’s success is not only measured by the tangible assistance provided but also by the sense of reassurance and community spirit it instils. The WPS Foundation’s commitment to creating a safer and more supportive environment in Nantwich is epitomized by the incredible efforts of the Street Angels.

​For information on becoming a Nantwich Street Angel volunteer call us on 01270 303187 or email [email protected]

Paul Blakey was interviewed on UCB2 This Is My Story about the work of Street Angels, Festival Angels and Redeeming Our Communities. You can listen on catch up:

www.ucb.co.uk/catchup scroll down to UCB2, This Is My Story, 17/1/2024 at 2:08:40 onwards