There are two models that new towns wanting to start a night-time initiative tend to use - Street Angels and Street Pastors.
The CNI model is very much local area driven and is classed as a 'Network' Franchise*. We believe that each locality will have its own links with Police, Council, other Churches, Town Centre Management, etc and that you should network locally to find out if there is a need for a Street Angels type initiative.
If there is a need then the next step is to talk to Paul Blakey MBE, Founder of Street Angels - CNI Network who will be able to offer advice, help and resources (many of these can be found on the Resources page) and, if needed, be able to visit your area to meet with potential volunteers, church leaders and partner organisations such as Police (this is free though we do ask you cover travel and accomdation expenses and make a gift towards the work of Christian Nightlife Initiatives Network).
Once the decision is made to run Street Angels (or whatever name you decide works best locally) then Christian Nightlife Initiatives are happy for you to use our resources:
as well as quotes, wider links, etc (more information on Halifax Street Angels can be found on www.streetangels.org.uk). The Safe From Harm web site and booklet may be useful as well.
We find training is best worked out locally - the Police generally can offer conflict awareness (and is a very practical way of strengthening the Police and volunteers partnership) with other training including First Aid, use of CCTV radio, drug and alcohol awareness and ensuring everyone adheres to volunteer guidelines.
We ask that each project using the Street Angels name has in place (and is a good base standard anyway):
Each individual project needs to be managed locally and each project must take responsibility for itself (though Paul, Adam and other projects locally are always happy to answer questions, meet up for a coffee, offer training, etc). Decisions (such as can volunteers be from outside of the church) need to be discussed and made locally as well.
A useful document to look at its Help and Ideas.
We know that CNI project, and particularly Street Angels can contribute much to a local area and many of the towns and cities where the project runs report significant reduction in violent crime, thousands of people being helped, amazing groups of volunteers who go above and beyond and increased respect for the church as people who offer and bring about real and lasting change...
For details on Street Pastors please visit www.streetpastors.co.uk
The CNI model is very much local area driven and is classed as a 'Network' Franchise*. We believe that each locality will have its own links with Police, Council, other Churches, Town Centre Management, etc and that you should network locally to find out if there is a need for a Street Angels type initiative.
- * Street Angels - CNI offer a 'Network' Franchise - we help churches and groups running similar projects to share experience and provide resources to help them. We do not attempt to "brand" local projects under a common name. We are here to encourage, support, help local projects link into the big picture, etc. Street Pastors, the other main model in use, offer a Full Franchise - they provide the branding, training, materials, processes, support services and oversight to individual projects.
If there is a need then the next step is to talk to Paul Blakey MBE, Founder of Street Angels - CNI Network who will be able to offer advice, help and resources (many of these can be found on the Resources page) and, if needed, be able to visit your area to meet with potential volunteers, church leaders and partner organisations such as Police (this is free though we do ask you cover travel and accomdation expenses and make a gift towards the work of Christian Nightlife Initiatives Network).
Once the decision is made to run Street Angels (or whatever name you decide works best locally) then Christian Nightlife Initiatives are happy for you to use our resources:
- Volunteers Handbook
- Code of Behaviour for Safeguarding Children
- Child Protection Policy
- Vulnerable Adults Policy
- Child Freindly Version of Child Protection Policy
- Equality and Diversity Policy
as well as quotes, wider links, etc (more information on Halifax Street Angels can be found on www.streetangels.org.uk). The Safe From Harm web site and booklet may be useful as well.
We find training is best worked out locally - the Police generally can offer conflict awareness (and is a very practical way of strengthening the Police and volunteers partnership) with other training including First Aid, use of CCTV radio, drug and alcohol awareness and ensuring everyone adheres to volunteer guidelines.
We ask that each project using the Street Angels name has in place (and is a good base standard anyway):
- adequate insurance (public liability, volunteers, trustees, premises);
- guidelines for volunteers to ensure they work to a high standard (see Volunteers Handbook);
- Criminal Record Bureau checks for each volunteer (either new CRB or using an existing one if appropriate);
- appropriate training;
- continued links and liaising with other agencies such as police, council, other churches, etc;
- joining of the CNI Network and a commitment to work with other projects locally, regionally and nationally through sharing of resources, news, prayer, ideas, etc.
Each individual project needs to be managed locally and each project must take responsibility for itself (though Paul, Adam and other projects locally are always happy to answer questions, meet up for a coffee, offer training, etc). Decisions (such as can volunteers be from outside of the church) need to be discussed and made locally as well.
A useful document to look at its Help and Ideas.
We know that CNI project, and particularly Street Angels can contribute much to a local area and many of the towns and cities where the project runs report significant reduction in violent crime, thousands of people being helped, amazing groups of volunteers who go above and beyond and increased respect for the church as people who offer and bring about real and lasting change...
For details on Street Pastors please visit www.streetpastors.co.uk
