Tamworth Street Angels - God's love on the streets

I was so immensely proud of all the people who don orange jackets and go out onto the streets of Tamworth to care for those people who need a friend for a variety of reasons (because people are vulnerable and in need of a friend for many reasons - not just because of the popular myth that it's all about alcohol!) for the reasons this letter gives:

Tamworth Street Angels - World Class for the World Cup

By Tamworth Herald  |  Posted: June 11, 2014

Tamworth's Street Angels hoping for new members in time for the World Cup

Tamworth's Street Angels are hoping a host of heavenly helpers will join them when they take on extra shifts during the World Cup.The Street Angels have been lending a helping hand on the streets of Tamworth since November and have proved a resounding success. Teams of Street Angels take turns to patrol the town’s streets between 10.30pm and 2.30am every Friday night – and now plan to also work on Saturdays.Each team has a trained First Responder with appropriate kit and a Townsafe radio linked to the Townsafe network and the other groups on the night patrols.They carry special foil hoodies for revellers who are suffering from cold as well as flip-flops to replace lost shoes or high heels, water, tissues, wet wipes, plasters, rubber gloves and any other items required to clean up vomit or enable first-aid

Leyfield’s vicar Vic Van  Den Bergh is behind the Tamworth scheme. He said: “Tamworth Street Angels have been working on the streets of Tamworth for six months helping people in a variety of ways and now it's time for them to step up a gear as summer and the World Cup draw ever nearer.

"Over the past six months they have been joined by various observers to see what really happens, one of them being former mayor Lee Bates. All have been most impressed by the commitment and energy of the teams. There is an opportunity for those who think they might like to be a Street Angel to come out with them to see first hand what it takes to be part of the team.

"Those who decide to join will find themselves receiving first aid and other training that will not only help them to support the people of Tamworth but will make them that little bit more confident when faced with challenges and decisions.

"Joining is free and the benefits from meeting the people on a Friday night are immeasurable."

Why not be an angel and consider joining them? A recruitment evening for anyone wishing to join the Street Angels is being held tonight (Thursday June 12) at 7.30pm at St Francis Church in Masefield Drive, Leyfields.

Read more: http://www.tamworthherald.co.uk/Tamworth-s-Street-Angels-hoping-new-members-time/story-21218612-detail/story.html#ixzz34RtfQwM3

Tamworth Street Angels Commissioned

Last Sunday (19th Jan) Paul Blakey MBE, the founder of Street Angels came to Tamworth Covenanting Churches (TCC) Celebration and gave the address, during which he spoke of the opportunities Street Angels presented to change our community and to help those who might otherwise struggle to be kept safe as we shared in an expression of God’s love to the community. He pointed to the many areas of social engagement that were changing the lives of those in Tamworth and celebrated the work that Christians can do when they work together.

The Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill who prayed for and commissioned the Street Angels followed the address and as he did he also challenged the Christians of Tamworth to pray for and offer support for this valuable work.

After the service, some of the Street Angels took the opportunity to have a photograph with the various representatives present:

L-R: Rev Ian Howarth, Chris Pincher MP, Rev Adrian Argile, Wendy Van Den Bergh, Andrea Treadwell, Carol Higgs, David Cooley, Andy Bradshaw, Rev Vic Van Den Bergh, Martin Johnson, Emma Cooley, Mary Wilson, Rev Tim Flowers, Fil Comley, Paul Blakey MBE, Michelle Bayley, Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill, The Wp John Garner 

 In all a great evening was had by all - Thank You - to all who make it such a success

Celebrating Social Action

Tonight was a superb example of people celebrating the good things that others do to make their town a better place as Tamworth Covenanting Churches came together to celebrate and begin their Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The Diocesan Bishop, Jonathan Gledhill, was joined by representatives from the Baptist Church (Revd Adrian Argile), Methodist Church (Revd Ian Howarth) and Fr Noel Ntungu represented the town's many Catholics - The MP, Chris Pincher and Mayor John Garner were also present to represent national and local government. There will be a full report of the evening's proceeding later but one of the highlights was the commissioning of Tamworth Street Angels (accompanied by an excellent address by Paul Blakey MBE - Founder of the Street Angels group - CNI).

Here's a quick image from the evening (more later I'm sure) to give you a quick feel for what went went on:

Grateful - Who wouldn't be?

That's me, and for good reason too!

The reasons are many and obvious but for those who might need for me to tell them, here they are:

We have a Housegroup that came into being from a joint Anglican/Methodist Alpha course and it has proved to be a blessing and a joy then and now. Such lovely people and such a depth in personalities and abilities that I'm blessed every time I'm with them and joyful when I think of them.

We are about to have our second shared service with the local Methodist church and their minister, Tim, is to preach - a source of blessing as we seek to work as Kingdom rather than within denominational limitations.

Tamworth Street Angels is coming together - an ambition of mine for some time - and the web presence and Twitter account are now in place.

The next stage of having the plans drawn up for a new building is underway. The result will, I trust and pray, allow us to engage even more with the community we exist to serve.

The potential for a Mission Shaped Ministry (MSM) course in the Autumn is on the way to becoming a reality.

And that's the tip of the iceberg.

There's family, friends and so much to be grateful for in so many areas that to list them would be tedious for those reading. So I'll stop here and just praise God for His goodness.

Happy Friday

Tamworth Street Angels - Update

Like a speeding snail, the initial organisational tasks of Tamworth Street Angels are progressing forward at what feels rather slow (and yet I am told we are really moving as some pace) as the web presence www.tamworthstreetangels.co.uk and the Twitter accounts @TamworthSA have both become live.

In addition to this conversations with potential trustees and stakeholders are progressing and it is hoped that new names will be appearing alongside Staffordshire Police, the Samaritans and Tamworth Covenanting Churches.

There are three obvious groups of people who make up such an organisation as ours:

1. Trustees and Champions

2. Support workers, and

3. Those one the street.

At the moment we need people to populate all three areas so if you fancy fulfilling our needs for Secretary, Treasurer and other of the immensely vital jobs that put feet on the streets - apply now.

For those who are interested in being 'out there' - there will be training on offer shortly, so get signing up NOW (please).

It is my hope that we will see the first encounter with the streets happen before we reach the end of September - but to do this we need volunteers (and some more funding I imagine).

And for those who want to be involved in something vital for this project now - please pray for the needs we have and that the right people come along and get involved.

Thanks