ROC Angels is an umbrella that equips, resources, supports and celebrates local grassroot projects.
We believe that a local team will know the local community they serve far better than a national organisation, however sometimes that extra level of guidance and help is needed, and this is where ROC Angels can stand with you. We can help with the development and launch of new projects alongside support for those who have existed for many years.
ROC Angels helps a local project be part of a movement that is bigger. Together we are stronger and can speak as one voice around issues that affect us all. Our unity helps when we engage with decision makers and influencers.
ROC Angels offer opportunity to share your local happenings across the ROC Angels family and to our many partner organisations and friends. We want to celebrate with you, share what your local project is doing and give opportunity for networking.
ROC Angels is a family of local projects, coordinators and volunteers who are there to support, pray and encourage one another as we make our streets, nightclubs, pubs, festivals and communities like new again.
Below are some of the different projects ROC Angels supports. Some of these operate on a national / international level whilst others we have supported to happen locally and share as an example of good practice that can make a significant impact within a local community.
Street Angels - started in November 2005 as a response to needs and issues in the night-time economy in Halifax. Street Angels has gone on to be replicated in around 150 communities across the UK and overseas and has contributed to significant reductions in violent crime and anti-social behaviour in many of the places we operate. Street Angels volunteer teams patrol town centres with a heart to love the person in front of them.
Our roles include: looking out for those are or could become vulnerable; offering flip-flops, low level first aid, lollipops, sanitary products, water; giving time for people to chat; working with the Police, Local Authority, BID's and pubs and clubs towards a safer and more vibrant night-time economy; work within other areas of need and vulnerability such as transport hubs and with the homeless community; become part of the wider community through volunteering at community events.
You can read the Street Angels story in our free book (click here).
E-Mail paul@streetangels.org.uk to look at setting up a Street Angels in your area / click here for more on starting a new Angels project.
Festival Angels - started in 2011 at Leeds Festival, Festival Angels are volunteer teams who work at several music festivals across the UK (and recently launched into America!) over the summer months. We work in areas such as Prayer Cafes, Detached Teams, Safe Hubs, Lost Property, Mental Health / Well-Being Hubs and Welfare. Our heart and mission is to 'love the person in front of us' through support and help for festival-goers and partnership with festival organisers.
Nationally Festival Angels coordinate and manage teams at large music festivals (such as Leeds, Kendal Calling, Download, Latitude) and offer partnership and support to local churches / groups to run Festival Angels Local (including Porthleven Food Festival, Upton-upon-Severn summer festivals and Sowerby Bridge Rushbearing). Through Festival Angels we support the work of We Are The Church at Creamfields.
Visit festivalangels.org.uk for more information.
Safe Place Drop In / Safe Hubs - many of our street patrol teams either run or support a Safe Place Drop-In / Safe Hub within the communities they serve. These safe places are available to people who want to escape the noise and busyness of the night-life with a friendly welcome, place to sit and wait, listening ear and cuppa. Often agencies such as Police, Ambulance and other teams at work within the town or city will make use of the safe place for those they are supporting. In some projects the safe place has become a centre for supporting the local homeless community by offering food, a warm welcome and place to be signposted to other agencies.
Club Angels / Pub and Club Chaplaincy - teams who work inside pubs and nightclubs with a mission to 'Chat, Help, Listen, Care'.
The Club Angels / Chaplains are an addition to the welfare offered by the venue and are there for when things could or do go wrong. Teams offer support and a listening ear to those who work within or manage the venues and will often meet up mid-week for pastoral support over coffee or lunch.
Over the years we have supported teams working within strip club and lap dancing bars. These female teams offer emotional, pastoral, spiritual and physical support to dancers and management.
Town and City Chaplaincy / The5Ps- teams who provide pastoral and spiritual support to the wider town and city centres. Chaplains support workers and visitors or can be location specific such as doctors surgeries, libraries, workplaces, etc. The5Ps is an encouragement for us to Pray and Seek the Peace and Prosperity of Places and People.
Click here for more about Chaplaincy.
Community Angels - a befriending project supporting people around loneliness, isolation, illness or difficulties. This work is usually in partnership with local agencies including Doctors, Social Services and NHS.
Homeless Support - offering a range of local support and sign-posting to those homeless or struggling, including: free meals with services attending such as NHS and Housing; weekly food outreach; supporting the running of housing provision in partnership with other agencies.
In some places Street Angels have partnered with The Light Group to run Homeless Pastors outreach and support groups.
SafeNightOut.party - social media friendly designs with messaging to help people have a Safe Night Out. You can download the images to share (for free) at SafeNightOut.party
Alcohol and Safety Education Resource - a free to use resource developed with the help of Street Angels teams that can be delivered in schools and to young people's groups to help share our story and engage around alcohol and safety.
Training and Resources - a page of resources that helps our teams and others to be more aware of needs and issues such as Acid/Chemical Attacks, Anti Terrorism, Domestic Abuse, Drink Spiking, First Aid, Legal Highs, Mental Health and Suicide Awareness.
ROC Angels has practical resources available to teams including Happy Flow Lucky period poverty packs, flip-flops and other occasional items.
#Do1NiceThing - love the person in front of you is a radical life and community transformation model! Not everyone can commit to serving through projects such as Street Angels and Festival Angels but we can all #Do1NiceThing that will make life better for others. #Do1NiceThing offers a list of simple ideas that help you do just that.
Click here for more information and to see #Do1NiceThing ideas.
Sharing Stories of Hope and Change - ROC Angels is very active in sharing the story of local community transformation through our amazing Street and Festival Angels teams. We are in regular contact with the media and our work features on TV, Radio, Newspapers, Magazines, Websites and Podcasts. Our social media platforms are used to share local stories and updates. ROC Angels produces a regular newsletter and our 2013 Street Angels book has seen over 5500 copies distributed (you can download for free here).
Street Angels founder Paul Blakey MBE is in demand as a speaker within social, business, conference and church settings (for details see paulblakeymbe.com/speaker) as are people from many of our local projects.
Jesus Loves ... - designed for our work at Festivals so people could have a selfie with Jesus, Jesus Loves now includes Jesus Loves Festivals, Jesus Loves Clubbers and Jesus Loves Yorkshire. The Jesus Love Festivals and Jesus Love Clubbers versions of Mark's Gospel in The Message version is a popular giveaway for those wanting to know more at festivals and on the streets. The Jesus Loves Festivals temporary tattoos are given away at festivals and through local projects at fresher's fairs.
Prayer - ROC Angels believe that prayer and action go hand in hand. Prayer and action is a powerful tool that changes people and transforms communities. The prayer and action of 'love the person in front of you' lived out on the streets, at festivals, in nightclubs, lap dancing bars and within communities has seen violent crime and antisocial behaviour reduced and the atmosphere radically changed.
The Bible verse that serves as the dynamic for a lot of what Angels do is:
Your people will rebuild the cities that were destroyed long ago.
And you will build again on the old foundations.
You will be called the one who repairs broken walls.
You will be called the one who makes city streets like new again.
Known as those who make the community livable again.
Isaiah 58:12 - The Bible (New International Reader's Version and The Message)
Various Resources and Documents - click here for downloads, links, images, safeguarding/complaints, etc.
Support for Street Angels...
“As part of our priority for thriving towns and places, we work hard through a strong partnership with other organisations, including Street Angels, to make sure Calderdale is a great place to enjoy a safe night out.
“The borough has so much to offer, with evening attractions such as the Victoria Theatre, a vibrant cultural scene and an extensive events programme throughout the year.
“With the support of partner organisations like the Street Angels, Halifax has retained Purple Flag status every year since 2010, showing the joint commitment to a safe and thriving nightlife. Congratulations to Street Angels on their 20th anniversary.” Robin Tuddenham, Chief Executive, Calderdale Council
"This is exactly the kind of revolutionary social cause that should be in every city. I commend the work of Street Angels to transform their community. The problems of the world do not go away when the sun goes down and neither do these amazing volunteers." Pastor Matthew Barnett - founder of the Los Angeles Dream Centre
“I am pleased to support Street Angels. Street Angels is a sign of the fruit that comes from close ecumenical collaboration between Christians as they seek to serve their brothers and sisters in our towns and cities through prayer, support and the sharing of other resources. With my prayers and blessings for this important work.” Archbishop Bernard Longley - Roman Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham
"Street Angels are utterly utterly brilliant" Timmy Mallett - TV Presenter, Broadcaster and Artist
“I’m in awe of the amazing work of Street Angels! Thanks for making such a difference wherever you are. I’m cheering you on!” Cathy Madavan - Speaker, Writer, Coach and Author
“The work of Faith groups supporting their communities is essential to the wellbeing of our society. Organisations like the Police are finding it harder and harder to meet all the demands that are put on them and they need the support of churches and faith groups to assist them in helping those in need. This may be providing a helping hand, or flip flops and a bottle of water, in a time of crisis or a listening ear and emotional support in someone’s darkest hour. The work of the Street Angels is appreciated by the police and by the whole community. Thank you.” Paul Netherton - former Deputy Chief Constable Devon and Cornwall Police
"The work of ROC Angels has been phenomenal over many years. Daring to go where very few Christians dare to tread, ROC Angels have given unconditional support to some of the most broken in society. Whether being a friendly guide at a music festival, speaking life into the staff and clients at strip clubs, or being a helping hand to those struggling after a night out, ROC Angels have continued to show up, be present and shine brightly. They are beacons of God's love, care and grace." Louise Davies, former Director of Christians on the Left
"I did Street Angels for five years and still go out with them occasionally now. It is an amazing project. After a hard work at week people go out on a Friday and Saturday night and make an instant difference. The first time I ever went out we found a 17 year old girl slumped on her phone in an old phone box in the city centre with people all around her. After a few minutes she'd lost consciousness and we soon realised that she wasn't with friends at all but was totally alone, unconscious holding a £600 smartphone. If we hadn't seen her and called an ambulance who knows what would have happened." Lee Jackson - Speaker, Author, Past President of the Professional Speaking Association