The idea
Street Angels is a churches-led voluntary service which has a presence in the city centre in teams of three or four to prevent, reduce the risk of, and help deal with the aftermath of health harms, crime and anti-social behaviour. It works alongside licence holders, police, NHS and other specialist services to signpost and practically help people in need.
From December 2023 to end of March 2024 a pilot project, funded by Safer Streets, ran on Friday nights from 10pm to 3am in Chester City Centre. Over 20 volunteers were recruited to take part in at least one shift per month.
After reviewing 20 shift reports, video diaries and a stakeholder survey, a University of Chester evaluation recognised the potential benefits of an expanded street team presence service for the evening and night-time in Chester city centre.
This project will extend and expand the service to run for six months on Friday and Saturday nights, and other special events, to effectively support people that need it.
What we'll deliver
- Over 50 six hour shifts (two per week on average)
- Over 900 volunteer hours from a pool of over 30 volunteers
- Over 750 meaningful interventions to prevent, reduce the risk of, and help with the aftermath of health harms and crime
Why it's a great idea
Every night time shift brings different challenges. We spend time clearing broken glass to prevent potential hazards; we attend to CCTV requests from door staff when people are or feel vulnerable (such as potential spiking, panic attacks, physical injury, emotional needs); we signpost to a range of services to help people with complex needs, such as rough sleepers; we help get people home safely who are vulnerable due to the affects of alcohol, lost friends or dead phone, for example.
Complex and intersecting harms associated with the night-time economy, that Street Angels Chester is positioned to intervene, include consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs; and an increased risk of being a victim or perpetrator of violent crime and sexual assault.
Jenni Storey, Pubwatch, said “Street Angels plays a huge and vital role in Chester’s night time economy. Knowing they’re out on patrol and available to help takes so much pressure off the bar staff, door teams and emergency services.
Steps to get it done
- Project mid point review 1st week of January
- Project end date last week in March
The Street Angels Chester project is hosted by Vineyard 53, a member of LinkUp, a multi-denominational christian network collaborating on social change initiatives across the city-region.
ROCAngels is the umbrella organisation that founded Street Angels 18 years ago, and supports hundreds of Angels projects across the UK. More information about the project can be found here: www.streetangelschester.org.uk or at facebook.com/streetangelschester
