The work of Street Angels is set to celebrate a milestone this weekend as the movement turns eighteen.
Launched on 25th November 2005, Street Angels has become a model of best practice for towns and cities across the UK and overseas and has inspired several spin-off projects.
Street Angels, who are famous for handing out flip-flops and lollipops, have helped reduce violent crime and anti-social behaviour in many of the communities where the volunteer teams work.
Paul Blakey MBE, the founder of Street Angels, says, "Eighteen years ago the original Street Angels didn't imagine that our simple response to an out of control Friday and Saturday night in Halifax would become a movement of projects around the world.
"People who care, simply loving the person in front of them, is a powerful act that makes a massive difference whether on the streets, at a music festival, in a shop or nightclub through chaplaincy or supporting some of the most vulnerable within our communities.
"I am so thankful for everyone who has volunteered and stood with us throughout these last eighteen years."
The hundred local projects, who are now overseen by the charity Redeeming Our Communities, have expanded to include initiatives such as: Festival Angels, who work at or support work at many of the UK's biggest music festivals; Chaplaincy teams supporting staff and customers in pubs, nightclubs and town centres; support for homeless communities; and offering safe place drop-in's.
Whilst some projects have come and gone due to changes within the night-time economy, new projects continue to launch.
Recent months have seen Street Angels starting along the North Wales coast, in Accrington and Chester. New Festival Angels teams this summer were at Download in Castle Donington, Parklife in Manchester, Porthleven Food Festival, Cornwall and Yarty Party in Devon.
More information on the work of ROC Angels and the local projects can be found at www.streetangels.org.uk or by searching ROCStreetAngels on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
