Street Angels gets green light to grow in Chester

Street Angels for Chester has received the unanimous support of Chester’s Purple Flag group to continue to grow its work in the city centre to help people in the evening and night-time.

This comes after an independent evaluation by the University of Chester of the Safer Streets funded pilot service which completed earlier in the year.

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.

Project lead, Gary Wootten, said:

“We’ve had a really positive time as a growing team of volunteers going out on shift over the weeks. You never know what the night will bring. Most people are out for a great night out, but we find ourselves helping people in all kinds of ways. We certainly feel appreciated on the streets, so we’re delighted to get the green light to try to grow what we’re doing and make this a permanent service.” 

After reviewing 20 shift reports, video diaries and a stakeholder survey, the University of Chester evaluation recognised the potential benefits of a longer-term street team presence for the evening and night-time. It recommended Street Angels seek funding to grow from offering the service on a Friday, to also include Saturdays and special events, such as race days and seasonal festivals. It also recommended continuing to build existing partnerships such as with licence holders, police, NHS and the council.

Dr Kim Ross who led the evaluation said:

“The report explores the current work of Street Angels and highlights the range of the work that they do, from collecting broken glass and handing out bottles of water to offering support to those who are vulnerable. The report considers the potential impact that Street Angels have had and could have if the work is to continue.”

Councillor Christine Warner, Cheshire West and Chester Councils Cabinet Member for Homes, Planning and Safer Communities said:

“Thanks to the Street Angels, our hospitality businesses and the many agencies and volunteers who are working so well together to keep the city safe and welcoming.

“Chester can only continue our Purple Flag status thanks to the many city centre partners working together to ensure Chester remains safe and welcoming

Pubwatch Chair, Jenni Storey, 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. The more help and support the Street Angels get, the more they can grow to provide an extended service over the weekends, race days and other periods when we need them the most”

Canon Ecumenical at Chester Cathedral and LinkUp Trustee, Andy Glover, said:

“It has been amazing to see the Street Angels project grow in Chester. We are excited to take an active part as a network of various churches throughout the city-region, helping Street Angels reach its full potential and to demonstrate God’s love in practical ways.”

Since the start of May, Street Angels has sent out volunteer teams on Fridays, Saturdays and on race days.

You can find the full evaluation report at: 

https://www.streetangelschester.co.uk/news

Street Angels Chester website is: 

www.streetangelschester.co.uk

ROC Angels founded Street Angels in the UK and their website is: 

www.streetangels.org.uk 

Paul Blakey MBE, founder of Street Angels, said:

"It is great to hear the impact of Street Angels in Chester. Having joined the team for the Purple Flag assessment I know that the night-life of Chester is thriving and a great example of partnership between various agencies, including Street Angels, to keep people safe. Long may the Street Angels support those who are or could become vulnerable and help to make Chester even more a great night out for those visiting restaurants, theatre, music, the races or pubs and clubs.”

Purple Flag is managed by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) and aims to raise standards and broaden appeal of night time and evening economies within town and city centres across the UK. Chester is a Purple Flagrecognised city and its local campaign is led by CH1ChesterBID. Stakeholders that sit on the local committee include Police, Chester BID, University, Chester Race Course and Pubwatch, amongst others.

On awarding Chester Purple flag status in February 2024, assessors stated:

“There is also clear evidence of working effectively across the faith community, such as in replacing a Covid hit Street Pastors scheme with a sustainable and appropriate ‘Street Angels’ scheme.”

University of Chester carried out the independent evaluation written by Dr Kim Ross.

Her profile is here:

https://www.chester.ac.uk/about/faculties/arts-humanities-and-social-sciences/school-of-humanities-and-social-sciences/staff/kim-ross/

The evaluation report is hosted here:

https://www.streetangelschester.co.uk/news

Vineyard53 is a Chester city region Christian community and host the Street Angels Chester project.

Their website is:

www.vineyard53.org

LinkUp is a city-wide, cross denomination network of Christian churches that supports the project and collaborate to help deliver city-region social change projects. St Peters at the Cross (where Street Angels meet and store equipment for shifts), and Vineyard53 are members.

Their website is:

www.linkup.uk.net

For more information about Street Angels Chester please email:

gary@streetangelschester.co.uk

Pictured - Gary Wootten (project lead), Nick Sherritt, Colin Jenkins and Michaela Pschierer-Barnfather on a team shift when purple flag was re-awarded to Chester.