One aim of ROC Angels is to empower and equip the local church and community to make a difference within their locality through delivering projects that work.
Since 2005 we have helped develop and replicate models that work including Street Angels, Club Angels, Festival Angels, Community Angels, Chaplaincy and more. Each of our local projects is locally managed and driven with ROC Angels offering support, resources, a listening ear and promoting and celebrating all that you achieve.
This page offers an overview of starting a new project. We ask that you connect with ROC Angels so we can offer and support - paul@streetangels.org.uk .
To see all of the projects that are within the ROC Angels family see Projects.
Since 2005 we have helped develop and replicate models that work including Street Angels, Club Angels, Festival Angels, Community Angels, Chaplaincy and more. Each of our local projects is locally managed and driven with ROC Angels offering support, resources, a listening ear and promoting and celebrating all that you achieve.
This page offers an overview of starting a new project. We ask that you connect with ROC Angels so we can offer and support - paul@streetangels.org.uk .
To see all of the projects that are within the ROC Angels family see Projects.
Essentials for all projects:
Gather others who share a vision for the work. Pray!
Speak to other agencies in the town as relevant - Police, Local Authority, Pub/Club Management, Town Centre Businesses, Police and Crime Commissioner, BID (Business Improvement District) lead, transport links, etc.
Assess the needs - spend some time in the place you want to run the project at the time you want to operate.
Look at setting up a local steering group. You will need to look at: finances (bank accounts); the structure - ie sitting under an existing charity (local Churches Together, HOPE or a local branch of ROC Angels); DBS checks for volunteers; insurance policy (we recommend Access Insurance - see here); the name of the project; guidelines for volunteers / volunteer handbook (see here); application process for volunteers (we suggest online - Google Forms is a great free application tool); safeguarding policy (here is ROC's); connecting with ROC Angels for ongoing support, advice, resources, etc (this is on a donation basis).
When volunteers sign up to your project (this may be better as an online form on your website) include a statement around, "By submitting this form I will adhere to all the policies and procedures of << local group name >> and follow the guidance and direction of the coordinator and steering group."
Once you decide that you are going to launch start to promote and recruit volunteers. Hold an information evening. Set up social media and maybe a website. Have very clear dates so people know the timescales involved (eg we information on .... training on ... project launch on ... we will run every ...). Here is some advice on marketing and recruitment of volunteers.
Look at appropriate training. We suggest you source your training locally as this will help develop local links with a wide range of organisations. Suggestions for training include: conflict awareness; first aid; listening skills; understanding of the place you are working in (eg for Street Angels and Club Angels the night-time economy, for Chaplaincy the shops and businesses); role of other agencies in the town/city; drug and alcohol awareness; anti-terrorism police training; mental health awareness; suicide awareness; human trafficking. Some of this training can be ongoing. You can see some videos and resource links on this page.
Paul the founder of Street Angels and CEO of ROC Angels is happy to attend an event to share the vision or launch a new project and offers ongoing visits and support when requested/needed - email Paul.
Other help:
When volunteers sign up to your project (this may be better as an online form on your website) include a statement around, "By submitting this form I will adhere to all the policies and procedures of << local group name >> and follow the guidance and direction of the coordinator and steering group."
Criminal Convictions: We suggest that: we are unable to accept anyone as a volunteer of << name project >> if they have been convicted of: any sexual offences; murder / manslaughter; Section 18 offences against the person; dealing in drugs. We have also agreed some areas for discretion if there has been a period of 3 years of NOT offending: burglary; theft; drugs use; minor public offences; other indictable offences. All volunteers must declare these on the Application Form and will need to undergo a DBS check.
Gather others who share a vision for the work. Pray!
Speak to other agencies in the town as relevant - Police, Local Authority, Pub/Club Management, Town Centre Businesses, Police and Crime Commissioner, BID (Business Improvement District) lead, transport links, etc.
Assess the needs - spend some time in the place you want to run the project at the time you want to operate.
Look at setting up a local steering group. You will need to look at: finances (bank accounts); the structure - ie sitting under an existing charity (local Churches Together, HOPE or a local branch of ROC Angels); DBS checks for volunteers; insurance policy (we recommend Access Insurance - see here); the name of the project; guidelines for volunteers / volunteer handbook (see here); application process for volunteers (we suggest online - Google Forms is a great free application tool); safeguarding policy (here is ROC's); connecting with ROC Angels for ongoing support, advice, resources, etc (this is on a donation basis).
When volunteers sign up to your project (this may be better as an online form on your website) include a statement around, "By submitting this form I will adhere to all the policies and procedures of << local group name >> and follow the guidance and direction of the coordinator and steering group."
Once you decide that you are going to launch start to promote and recruit volunteers. Hold an information evening. Set up social media and maybe a website. Have very clear dates so people know the timescales involved (eg we information on .... training on ... project launch on ... we will run every ...). Here is some advice on marketing and recruitment of volunteers.
Look at appropriate training. We suggest you source your training locally as this will help develop local links with a wide range of organisations. Suggestions for training include: conflict awareness; first aid; listening skills; understanding of the place you are working in (eg for Street Angels and Club Angels the night-time economy, for Chaplaincy the shops and businesses); role of other agencies in the town/city; drug and alcohol awareness; anti-terrorism police training; mental health awareness; suicide awareness; human trafficking. Some of this training can be ongoing. You can see some videos and resource links on this page.
Paul the founder of Street Angels and CEO of ROC Angels is happy to attend an event to share the vision or launch a new project and offers ongoing visits and support when requested/needed - email Paul.
Other help:
When volunteers sign up to your project (this may be better as an online form on your website) include a statement around, "By submitting this form I will adhere to all the policies and procedures of << local group name >> and follow the guidance and direction of the coordinator and steering group."
Criminal Convictions: We suggest that: we are unable to accept anyone as a volunteer of << name project >> if they have been convicted of: any sexual offences; murder / manslaughter; Section 18 offences against the person; dealing in drugs. We have also agreed some areas for discretion if there has been a period of 3 years of NOT offending: burglary; theft; drugs use; minor public offences; other indictable offences. All volunteers must declare these on the Application Form and will need to undergo a DBS check.
Street Angels:
Street Angels is a relatively low cost high impact project that offers patrols within the night-time economy of our town and city centres. In addition to the guidance above ROC Angels suggests that a Street Angels uniform, essential items such as first aid kits and flip-flops, backpacks for volunteers and literature which can encourage a SafeNightOut.party of share more of the message that Jesus Loves Clubbers:
Uniform - jacket of some description that is warm and waterproof and branded with Street Angels (1 per volunteer is ideal or a pool of shared jackets in mixed sizes). Several projects approach local businesses or churches to sponsor a jacket in return for "sponsored by" information, logo and web address on the jacket rear (we suggest £70 per uniform) Red Oak Direct is a good guide / source for uniforms.
A back-pack (1 per team) which includes various items including:
First Aid Kit - 11-20 persons (or at least have a full kit at the base and carry essentials such as plasters)
Vomit Bags
Vinyl free disposable gloves (first aid and picking up bottles) - www.firstaid4less.co.uk
Foil Blankets (to keep people warm) - the bodywarmer from SurvivaWear is more suited to our needs!
Torch (1 per team or LED baseball caps)
Flip-Flops - ROC Angels has a small supply of spa style slippers available. BlueBoxSocks or local discount stores (B&M, Home Bargains, Primark, etc) are other good sources.
Printing of leaflets, posters, books, etc- PrintOut or Hollinger Print. ROC Angels also offers access to SafeNightOut.party promotional material and Alcohol and Safety education resource.
ROC Angels has small supplies of Dudes With Wings greetings cards which can be used as a fundraiser for local projects. We also have copies of Jesus Loves Clubbers Mark's Gospel available for our local projects - contact us.
Evidence of the societal change Street Angels bring
Street Angels is a relatively low cost high impact project that offers patrols within the night-time economy of our town and city centres. In addition to the guidance above ROC Angels suggests that a Street Angels uniform, essential items such as first aid kits and flip-flops, backpacks for volunteers and literature which can encourage a SafeNightOut.party of share more of the message that Jesus Loves Clubbers:
Uniform - jacket of some description that is warm and waterproof and branded with Street Angels (1 per volunteer is ideal or a pool of shared jackets in mixed sizes). Several projects approach local businesses or churches to sponsor a jacket in return for "sponsored by" information, logo and web address on the jacket rear (we suggest £70 per uniform) Red Oak Direct is a good guide / source for uniforms.
A back-pack (1 per team) which includes various items including:
First Aid Kit - 11-20 persons (or at least have a full kit at the base and carry essentials such as plasters)
Vomit Bags
Vinyl free disposable gloves (first aid and picking up bottles) - www.firstaid4less.co.uk
Foil Blankets (to keep people warm) - the bodywarmer from SurvivaWear is more suited to our needs!
Torch (1 per team or LED baseball caps)
Flip-Flops - ROC Angels has a small supply of spa style slippers available. BlueBoxSocks or local discount stores (B&M, Home Bargains, Primark, etc) are other good sources.
Printing of leaflets, posters, books, etc- PrintOut or Hollinger Print. ROC Angels also offers access to SafeNightOut.party promotional material and Alcohol and Safety education resource.
ROC Angels has small supplies of Dudes With Wings greetings cards which can be used as a fundraiser for local projects. We also have copies of Jesus Loves Clubbers Mark's Gospel available for our local projects - contact us.
Evidence of the societal change Street Angels bring
Festival Angels:
Volunteering at music festivals and major events, Festival Angels are short term volunteering opportunities that can be in a project in itself (such as for major music festivals like Leeds, Creamfields and Kendal Calling) or as part of the local ongoing Street Angels work at local music festivals, arena events, sporting events, etc. You will need to work very closely with the festival organisers as often you will be a team based within the festival though Festival Angels are sometimes based outside of the festival site to help and assist people as they leave.
Leeds Festival Angels has a wide range of resources that are available to help make running a one off Festival Angels as easy as possible. These resources include t-shirts; tabards; use of logo; policies and procedures; festivalangels.org.uk website; Jesus Loves Festivals materials and branding; ongoing help and support. Festival Angels work in a wide range of areas, usually as requested by the festival organisers, including Detached Teams, Prayer Cafe, Safe Hub Caravans and Lost Property. Training differs according to the area and could be done online as volunteers may be from a bigger geographical area.
If you would like to run a Festival Angels team please contact Paul or check out festivalangels,org.uk
Volunteering at music festivals and major events, Festival Angels are short term volunteering opportunities that can be in a project in itself (such as for major music festivals like Leeds, Creamfields and Kendal Calling) or as part of the local ongoing Street Angels work at local music festivals, arena events, sporting events, etc. You will need to work very closely with the festival organisers as often you will be a team based within the festival though Festival Angels are sometimes based outside of the festival site to help and assist people as they leave.
Leeds Festival Angels has a wide range of resources that are available to help make running a one off Festival Angels as easy as possible. These resources include t-shirts; tabards; use of logo; policies and procedures; festivalangels.org.uk website; Jesus Loves Festivals materials and branding; ongoing help and support. Festival Angels work in a wide range of areas, usually as requested by the festival organisers, including Detached Teams, Prayer Cafe, Safe Hub Caravans and Lost Property. Training differs according to the area and could be done online as volunteers may be from a bigger geographical area.
If you would like to run a Festival Angels team please contact Paul or check out festivalangels,org.uk
Club Angels:
Club Angels began in December 2011 when a bunch of us felt nudged by God to share His love in the clubs of Leeds city – centre. We have kept the project as simple as the day it started – with the motto ‘Love the person in front of you,’ behind all we do.
As teams we meet to pray, and go into the clubs we are working with, wearing t-shirts that say ‘chat, help, listen and care, p.s. we’re Christians, ask us more if you want.’ And that is what we do.
We build relationships with staff, encourage them, support them, and over time we’ve become an integral part of staff teams. We chat with clubbers in the toilets, chill out or smoking areas and listen to and tell our stories. We assist with people who have become unwell or vulnerable within or just outside the club.
We spend the whole night in prayer – asking God to help us love the people in front of us. Staff have said to us that ‘When you’re here, things are different!’ We really believe that God loves the clubs and the people in the clubs enough to turn up into it – and when He does that in us, so often the atmosphere, the conversations, staff morale and clubbers’ behaviour becomes more peaceful, better to be around, and the club is a more fun place to be.
It’s not always easy – the club experience can feel overwhelming, and it doesn't take long to see or hear things that reflect a stressed out & insecure world dominated by image, competition and aggression. But with working closely with the club management and staff, and by growing in trust and love as teams, we are seeing change – in both large and small ways.
Some areas have seen Club Angels extend to Pub Angels - offering similar support in pubs. The Club Angels model can easily be adapted for pubs. We also have Strip Club Chaplains, Chaplaincy and SoundCheck who offer care and support for DJ's, etc.
Club Angels need branded t-shirts (ROC Angels can provide the branding) with other resources generally provided as part of the agreement with the venue (eg safe space to operate from, sick buckets, access to first aider and first aid equipment, sweet treats for staff, sweets for clubbers, spikies / caps for glasses, disposable gloves) Club Angels should not act as first aid for the venue but be an additional support.
Setting up a Club Angels Team:
If you are sensing a call into the nightclubs, definitely make time to get people together to pray. Ask churches and people if there are those who also feel a nudge into this ministry. These people may be the beginnings of your team.
It may be obvious straight away which clubs to approach – or it may take longer, so explore your context through prayer, asking questions of people where you can, or seeing if there is a particular club that appears (though media coverage or word of mouth), to need support. If you are still unsure, contact your local Pubwatch coordinator.
The Pubwatch co-ordinator: You will be able to contact your local PubWatch rep via their web site . They are responsible for promoting welfare, safety and best practice in all licensed premises in their area. They will be able to put you in touch with nightclub managers, the local policing team and any relevant others.
The Nightclub manager: This is your key meeting. This meeting is about developing a working relationship of trust and openness. You may need to explain what the concept of Club Angels is, what its aims are, and how it may be of benefit to the Club. Emphasise that you are there to support what the club already does, and offer a friendly – face of welfare and support that may sometimes fall through the net between bar staff, security staff, and management. You are there to practically help, socially care, and be part of making the club a great place to be.
Local Churches & Christians: We believe any success of this project is down to the grace of God to provide resources, energy, strength and perseverance. This can be tough work – and not only do teams need committed volunteers, they also need the prayerful support of their Christian community – not least so that if people want to explore faith further, there are those who are ready to nurture this faith.
Club Angels Ethos:
Club Angels began in December 2011 when a bunch of us felt nudged by God to share His love in the clubs of Leeds city – centre. We have kept the project as simple as the day it started – with the motto ‘Love the person in front of you,’ behind all we do.
As teams we meet to pray, and go into the clubs we are working with, wearing t-shirts that say ‘chat, help, listen and care, p.s. we’re Christians, ask us more if you want.’ And that is what we do.
We build relationships with staff, encourage them, support them, and over time we’ve become an integral part of staff teams. We chat with clubbers in the toilets, chill out or smoking areas and listen to and tell our stories. We assist with people who have become unwell or vulnerable within or just outside the club.
We spend the whole night in prayer – asking God to help us love the people in front of us. Staff have said to us that ‘When you’re here, things are different!’ We really believe that God loves the clubs and the people in the clubs enough to turn up into it – and when He does that in us, so often the atmosphere, the conversations, staff morale and clubbers’ behaviour becomes more peaceful, better to be around, and the club is a more fun place to be.
It’s not always easy – the club experience can feel overwhelming, and it doesn't take long to see or hear things that reflect a stressed out & insecure world dominated by image, competition and aggression. But with working closely with the club management and staff, and by growing in trust and love as teams, we are seeing change – in both large and small ways.
Some areas have seen Club Angels extend to Pub Angels - offering similar support in pubs. The Club Angels model can easily be adapted for pubs. We also have Strip Club Chaplains, Chaplaincy and SoundCheck who offer care and support for DJ's, etc.
Club Angels need branded t-shirts (ROC Angels can provide the branding) with other resources generally provided as part of the agreement with the venue (eg safe space to operate from, sick buckets, access to first aider and first aid equipment, sweet treats for staff, sweets for clubbers, spikies / caps for glasses, disposable gloves) Club Angels should not act as first aid for the venue but be an additional support.
Setting up a Club Angels Team:
- Pray
If you are sensing a call into the nightclubs, definitely make time to get people together to pray. Ask churches and people if there are those who also feel a nudge into this ministry. These people may be the beginnings of your team.
- Choose a Club
It may be obvious straight away which clubs to approach – or it may take longer, so explore your context through prayer, asking questions of people where you can, or seeing if there is a particular club that appears (though media coverage or word of mouth), to need support. If you are still unsure, contact your local Pubwatch coordinator.
- People to contact
The Pubwatch co-ordinator: You will be able to contact your local PubWatch rep via their web site . They are responsible for promoting welfare, safety and best practice in all licensed premises in their area. They will be able to put you in touch with nightclub managers, the local policing team and any relevant others.
The Nightclub manager: This is your key meeting. This meeting is about developing a working relationship of trust and openness. You may need to explain what the concept of Club Angels is, what its aims are, and how it may be of benefit to the Club. Emphasise that you are there to support what the club already does, and offer a friendly – face of welfare and support that may sometimes fall through the net between bar staff, security staff, and management. You are there to practically help, socially care, and be part of making the club a great place to be.
Local Churches & Christians: We believe any success of this project is down to the grace of God to provide resources, energy, strength and perseverance. This can be tough work – and not only do teams need committed volunteers, they also need the prayerful support of their Christian community – not least so that if people want to explore faith further, there are those who are ready to nurture this faith.
Club Angels Ethos:
- Club Angels teams are made up of Christians who seek to share the love of God in the nightclubs and bars of their locality.
- Club Angels seek to build good relationships with nightclub managers and staff, and work with and alongside them to seeking to promote safety and welfare.
- Club Angels will Chat, Help, Listen and Care as their t-shirts describe, and will seek to do all of that to the best of their ability. They will seek to serve all and any who they come across.
- Club Angels will always work in teams, be accountable to the team leader, and only wear their t-shirts when on team. They will recognise that their own physical, emotional and spiritually safety, the safety of the team, and of the people they are working with serving is paramount.
- Club Angels will undertake training given by the Club Angels leadership team as part of beginning this work.
Chaplaincy:
ROC Angels supports Chaplaincy that works in Town and City Centre, Pubs and Clubs and places such as shops, tourist attractions, surgeries, courts, etc.
Chaplains are people who will be available to offer a friendly listening ear and pastoral and spiritual support.
Chaplains will need appropriate branded clothing (eg hoodie, t-shirt, cap). Chaplains always operate in full partnership with the place they offer services within. Chaplains need to be people who are endorsed by the leadership of a local church as they will be representatives of the wider church in that place they serve. ROC Angels can connect you with existing long established Chaplaincy teams - contact us.
ROC Angels supports Chaplaincy that works in Town and City Centre, Pubs and Clubs and places such as shops, tourist attractions, surgeries, courts, etc.
Chaplains are people who will be available to offer a friendly listening ear and pastoral and spiritual support.
Chaplains will need appropriate branded clothing (eg hoodie, t-shirt, cap). Chaplains always operate in full partnership with the place they offer services within. Chaplains need to be people who are endorsed by the leadership of a local church as they will be representatives of the wider church in that place they serve. ROC Angels can connect you with existing long established Chaplaincy teams - contact us.
