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As we approach the first weekend since lockdown restrictions eased, one group will be out patrolling once again.

City of Hull Street Angels is a registered charity which began in 2018 and eight volunteers will be in the city centre looking after those heading out for a few drinks.

Before the pandemic and during when restrictions allowed, volunteers patrol on Friday and Saturday evenings.

The volunteers, easily recognisable with their red jackets, will be back out from 8pm and will remain on hand so long as people remain out.

They provide drunken revellers who have over indulged with water and flip flops, wipes, foil blankets and vomit bowls if needed.

They even carry portable phone chargers so people can make urgent calls if their phones have run out of power. All volunteers are trained in basic first aid.

Trustee Carole Fenny says they are all eager to get back out once more.

She said: “We are all glad to be getting back out. We hope there will be lots of people as the bars and pubs have really struggled.

“We don’t really know what to expect or how busy it will be. We could be out until 3am or home by 11pm.

“We will have our van in Trinity Square like we usually do and will be manned by two volunteers at all times.”

Carole is also unsure what help people will need the most.

With Covid measures still in place, meaning people have to sit outside and nightclubs unable to open, it seems unlikely too many people will stay out until the early hours which reduce the chances of overindulging.

Carole said: “We will probably still be issuing flip flops and a number of people will probably want to charge their phones.

“People often come to our van to wait safely until their taxi or lift home arrives. We may have to help those who get cold as they won’t be allowed indoors.

“We have two paramedics with is this weekend which will be a great help.

“Most of us have recently been tested and we will be wearing masks with sanitiser available.

​“It will be great to meet more people again and hopefully we will get some donations across the weekend.”

The charity, sponsored by Arco and the Lord Mayor’s charities, has also recently acquired a new minibus and is seeking help to have the City of Hull Street Angels logo applied.

​Anyone who can help should go to the charity’s website, Facebook page or call Carole on 07729 637887.

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OLDHAM was the first place in the country to roll out the Covid vaccine for homeless people.

James (who asked for his name to be changed to protect his identity) spoke to The Oldham Times as he collected his food parcel from Oldham Street Angels about being homeless during the pandemic.

The 43-year-old said he has tried to get a flat “on a few occasions” but he can’t seem to break his addiction to heroin and “anything else he can get his hands on”.

Fully equipped with his sleeping bag and pillow, proudly wearing a Manchester City T-shirt, James said his life was once a different one.
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“I know it’s my fault that I am homeless, I have had the support but like they all say, you can’t get help if you won’t help yourself,” he said.

“I used to have a job as a labourer and ended up getting into the drugs, that led on to heroin and then it all went downhill. I’ve had some fantastic help from these people here at Street Angels and I have had a flat as well, but it’s a different life, it’s hard holding it all together and paying bills, sometimes I think it’s easier on the streets.”

Karl (who also requested his name to be changed), meanwhile, said he had managed to turn his life around thanks to the support from homeless services in the town and has recently received his second Covid vaccine.

He said: “I was in a bad place, I was stealing to feed my habit, I was getting myself into some dark situations. With the help and the support from Street Angels I got the right care, I was clean for a few months and that helped me get a place to live.
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“I still come to Street Angels to get my food and toiletries, I even get clothes when I can. I can honestly say Street Angels are angels, they have saved me from the worst. I have had my jabs and I am grateful.”

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WHEN lockdown was first announced the volunteers at Oldham Street Angels had to close the charity’s doors.
But that has not stopped the determined members from coming up with an alternative plan.

With social distance measures and some careful guidelines in place, the charity was able to feed and clothe the borough’s homeless by opening back up and offering items to take away.

On a weekly basis vulnerable members of the community can turn up at the Hunters Lane site.

Donna is the charity co-ordinator and said there was no way that the charity could turn its back on those in need.

Donna said: “It has been really tough, when we first had to close it was distressing.

"We didn’t have a clue what to do but then we turned it around and opened up as a take away service.
“It has been really well received.”

According to Donna, sleeping bags have been a popular request.

She said: “It’s heartbreaking, we have people come, we give them pillows and sleeping bags and whatever they need on the day.”

Oldham Street Angels were originally volunteers that were formed to help to ensure those enjoying a Saturday night out have a fun but safe time.

Volunteers saw the need of support the homeless, vulnerable and those in need.

The base in Hunters Lane is a place for the town’s vulnerable to go, they can get a meal and the chance to use the washing machines, as well as accessing the support from other partners including Greater Manchester Police, Oldham Council and Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group.

Though they can get support and the help they need, Donna said homelessness is a complex issue.
She said: “It’s not as easy as getting somebody off the streets and into a house, they have to want it and they have to work with us.

“We can’t help those who can’t help themselves.”

More members are needed to ensure that Street Angels continues to run.

Donna added: “We are in need of more volunteers. If anyone can help then please get in touch.”

​Failsworth councillor Peter Davis is already a volunteer at the organisation.

He said: “The long term aim is to get the support back here when we get out of lockdown.

“People can usually come and get the support and the help that they need.

“It has been hard because of lockdown as we have basically turned into a food bank and can’t have a sit down with the people that need it most.”

Councillor Davis also said that he cannot believe the kindness of those in Oldham’s community.

He said: “We have a large support network and couldn’t do it without them.”

Abbie Bright is a special constable for Greater Manchester Police and is also the youngest volunteer with Oldham Street Angels.

Abbie said: “It’s good to volunteer and it really does open up your eyes.

“The ladies come for clothes and it’s nice to see them leave with something that will keep them warm.”

On a weekly basis members from Oldham Boxing Club bring hot meals and chefs from the Roebook Inn also donate to feed the guests, which is approximately 50 or 60 in a week.

Street Angels also works in partnership with the Sanctuary Trust.

Sanctuary Trust is a registered charity working with homelessness and homeless related poverty and emergency homeless issues.

It was set up by Sheila Halsall after seeing the level of homelessness and substance misuse.

​During lockdown workers from the trust wait outside Oldham Angels to talk to those who are on the streets or vulnerable.

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A group of 'street angels' who provide a lifeline to those sleeping rough have been awarded £13,500 to help them train and equip new volunteers. 

The cash, which is part of £45,000 worth of money being given to organisations across Lancashire, has come from the Police and Crime Commissioner's fund.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Chris Webb, joined Blackpool and The Fylde Street Angels out and about on their outreach around the town centre, and also visited the team at the Emergency Bed Unit in Blackpool above Blackpool Council’s housing options service.

Blackpool and The Fylde Street Angels received £13,500 of funding that will be used to help them train and equip new volunteers, upskill current volunteers and for resources such as drinks and food to give out to vulnerable people.

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner, Clive Grunshaw, has supported Blackpool and The Fylde Street Angels through his Street Pastors, Street Angels and Similar Organisations Fund since 2016.

DPCC Chris Webb said, “I was delighted to meet the team at Blackpool and The Fylde Street Angels and thank them personally for all the incredible work they do, especially during this last year.

“It’s critical we continue to support the important work of Blackpool and The Fylde Street Angels and other organisations like them who make our streets safer and aid the most vulnerable in our communities.

​“They provide a lifeline to those living on the streets, who may feel more able to seek additional help when they have become familiar with a person or local group".

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Homeless people and those living in shelters are now being prioritised for COVID jabs in a pioneering new scheme from Oldham Council.

The Department of Health initially placed people over the age of 80, care home workers, and health and social care workers in the top priority band, but Oldham Council and local GPs insisted on the homeless also being prioritised.

They argued that homeless people and the elderly are most at risk of contracting the virus.

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Homeless couple Lee Ullha, 46, and Kelly Heney, 38, were the first to be administered the vaccine, reported Big Issue. Outreach service Street Angels reached out to the pair after they had been living for months in a tent at a local park, and brought them into the shelter to receive the jab."