NightStock is all about our community hubs at night! We believe in the night-time economy - that town and city centres can and should be vibrant, fun, safe, exciting and interesting places to be.
The NightStock concept is to share ideas and resources so that any group of people or organisation can get on and do something about their area at night (basically the time between 5pm when the shops tend to close and 6am when daytime type activity starts again). Part of the vision of Street Angels - CNI Network is to see villages, towns and cities move from the binge culture to better. In over 100 towns across the UK we have seen the results of the local community getting on and doing something to tackle night-time problems: violent crime, sexual assaults and anti-social behaviour reduced; people investing hours of time and resources to the wider community; thousands of people receiving help; perceived no-go areas becoming safer for everyone... But we recognise there is so much more that is done and can be done. Inspired by the brilliant TownStock conference in November 2012 in Halifax we have launched NightStock - basically this web resource - an A-Z of brilliant ideas. Join the conversation - share ideas and resources (email or use #NightStock on Twitter) - see what will work in your locality - lets see our night-times made more accessible! |
A is for Action...

Alcohol Awareness Week - a good idea to get people thinking about what they drink - see web site.
Alternative Nightclub Nights - hire a local nightclub and hold an alternative music night or a safe place non alcoholic bar for young people
Apps - Lincoln Street Pastors have developed an App for iPhone and Android that helps people within the night-time economy - see here.
Alternative Nightclub Nights - hire a local nightclub and hold an alternative music night or a safe place non alcoholic bar for young people
Apps - Lincoln Street Pastors have developed an App for iPhone and Android that helps people within the night-time economy - see here.
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Buses and Burger Vans - there are many great examples of buses and burger vans that park in town centres at night to offer help and assistance - SOS Bus Norwich, SOS Bus Northern Ireland, Newmarket SOS Bus, Blackpool Safe Haven Bus to name a few! They often have paramedics and tea/coffee facilities on-board and are multi-agency.
Bus Home - don't stop people using late night buses simply because they don't have enough money - here is a great initiative from Leeds and Headingley Street Angels.
Bus Stop Crisis Listening - a scheme in Milton Keynes that offers crisis listening, emotional support, etc - web site.
Bus Home - don't stop people using late night buses simply because they don't have enough money - here is a great initiative from Leeds and Headingley Street Angels.
Bus Stop Crisis Listening - a scheme in Milton Keynes that offers crisis listening, emotional support, etc - web site.
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Cafe Culture Nights - put on events in coffee shops after they have closed - some ideas include Sunday Night Live / Costa Youth Acoustic / Cafe Church
Church for the Night - a great idea in Bournemouth that offers a nightclub chaplain and an alternative nightclub in one of the city's churches - see the article / Bournemouth web site
Club Angels - a great scheme that sees volunteers inside nightclubs offering support to people within the club - the volunteers in Leeds wear t-shirts saying "chat, help, listen and care". Web Site
Church for the Night - a great idea in Bournemouth that offers a nightclub chaplain and an alternative nightclub in one of the city's churches - see the article / Bournemouth web site
Club Angels - a great scheme that sees volunteers inside nightclubs offering support to people within the club - the volunteers in Leeds wear t-shirts saying "chat, help, listen and care". Web Site
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#Do1NiceThing - we can all commit to #Do1NiceThing for others each and every day - see Love Your Streets for more information.
Drop In - a safe place within the night-time of town and city centres - it could be a drop-in for young people early on in the evening, homeless people in need of a hot drink and sandwich, a clubbers drop-in when they need a safe place to escape the night-life, a place for elderly people to wait for the late bus home...
Dry Bars - a non-alcoholic night out for people - remember the old milk bars or coffee bars or American diners - a relaxed place where people can come to sit, chat, meet friends without the loud music and alcohol of a nightclub.
Drop In - a safe place within the night-time of town and city centres - it could be a drop-in for young people early on in the evening, homeless people in need of a hot drink and sandwich, a clubbers drop-in when they need a safe place to escape the night-life, a place for elderly people to wait for the late bus home...
Dry Bars - a non-alcoholic night out for people - remember the old milk bars or coffee bars or American diners - a relaxed place where people can come to sit, chat, meet friends without the loud music and alcohol of a nightclub.
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Your ideas needed!
F

Fireworks - a grand firework show gets people into a local area - celebrate a big national event or a local achievement - publicise it well though - look at tie in's with local restaurants or shops to make it more than a firework festival and a community event...
Flip Flops - many Street Angels and Street Pastors groups hand out flip-flops to young ladies (and sometimes men) who are unable to walk any more in the shoes they came out in. A great and simple idea!
Flip Flops - many Street Angels and Street Pastors groups hand out flip-flops to young ladies (and sometimes men) who are unable to walk any more in the shoes they came out in. A great and simple idea!
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Your ideas needed!
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Your ideas needed!
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Inn Church - a great idea to help the homeless over winter opening up church buildings as places to sleep, eat and signposting to further help - see here
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Your ideas needed!
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Your ideas needed!
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Lanterns - get the community involved in making paper lanterns that can be used to light up the market square or as part of a parade - imagination and LED lights are all you need!
Lights - there are loads you can do around lights to create vibrant, colourful and light spaces either as a one off or regular feature. Inexpensive lights in trees, light shows on sides of buildings, light nights to light parades - here are some web links - Valley of Lights / Illuminating York /
Listening Post - a place where people can go to share problems or to talk - a bit like the Samaritans but in and around places where people are (so outside a night-club or the bus station) - a great example of this pastoral support is in Aldershot.
Lollipops and Love Hearts - many Street patrol projects give out lollipops and Love Hearts - this helps prevent fights (when did you see someone fighting with a lollipop in their mouth!)
Lights - there are loads you can do around lights to create vibrant, colourful and light spaces either as a one off or regular feature. Inexpensive lights in trees, light shows on sides of buildings, light nights to light parades - here are some web links - Valley of Lights / Illuminating York /
Listening Post - a place where people can go to share problems or to talk - a bit like the Samaritans but in and around places where people are (so outside a night-club or the bus station) - a great example of this pastoral support is in Aldershot.
Lollipops and Love Hearts - many Street patrol projects give out lollipops and Love Hearts - this helps prevent fights (when did you see someone fighting with a lollipop in their mouth!)
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Maps - map out your local area and the attractions on offer! Some towns use a London Underground type map to show local pubs or restaurants - develop a mobile phone app or utilise a Google map on a web site - make it easy for people to access the night-life!
Markets - there are loads of great markets that run at night and attract a wide range of people into a town centre - and they are not just for Christmas! Here are some great pictures from Walsall Night Market and information on The StockMKT, London - food, alternative goods, tie in with music, displays, circus acts, etc...
Markets - there are loads of great markets that run at night and attract a wide range of people into a town centre - and they are not just for Christmas! Here are some great pictures from Walsall Night Market and information on The StockMKT, London - food, alternative goods, tie in with music, displays, circus acts, etc...
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Neighbourhood Watch - a great organisation that encourages community safety - see web site for details.
NightChurch - see YouTube video.
Nightline - a listening, emotional support, information and supplies service, run by students for students and open at night when few other services are available. Nightline is confidential and anonymous; you don't have to tell us anything about yourself, not even your name - web site
NightWise - a commitment to ensuring visitors to a town centre have a safe and positive experience - see Windsor and Maidenhead web site.
NightChurch - see YouTube video.
Nightline - a listening, emotional support, information and supplies service, run by students for students and open at night when few other services are available. Nightline is confidential and anonymous; you don't have to tell us anything about yourself, not even your name - web site
NightWise - a commitment to ensuring visitors to a town centre have a safe and positive experience - see Windsor and Maidenhead web site.
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Your ideas needed!
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Parades - torch-light processions - see Preston / Kendal / Edinburgh / Winchester / Bridport
Pub Church - church in a pub! See web site.
Purple Flag - an initiative of Association of Town Centre Managers - Purple Flag shows a safe and vibrant night-time economy - see web site for more details.
Pub Church - church in a pub! See web site.
Purple Flag - an initiative of Association of Town Centre Managers - Purple Flag shows a safe and vibrant night-time economy - see web site for more details.
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Your ideas needed!
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Research - many very clever people and groups have carried out research into the night-time economy - here are a few we have found - Police Foundation / Camden / University of Brighton / Stockton Town Pastors Evaluation Report
Restaurants - celebrate where people can eat! Italian, English, Chinese, Mexican...
Restaurants - celebrate where people can eat! Italian, English, Chinese, Mexican...
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Safety Advice - make sure people are safe on a night-out - here are some safety advice tips gathered from Street Angels - CNI Network projects - tweet them, Facebook them - remind people to look after themselves and friends
Shops - late night openings, pop-up shops, special event nights, shop and eat deals - the supermarkets all seem to be busy 24 hours - every once in a while give opportunity to those who work 9-5 a chance to shop local!
Street Angels - call them what you will (Town Pastors, Street Chaplains, NightLight, Street Partnership) safe people who patrol town centres on weekend evenings looking out for people, picking up glass, handing out flip-flops and lollies, etc. The Street Angels - CNI Network site offers resources and help to help you start a project.
Street Pastors - a similar group to Street Angels - see web site.
Socks - white socks and LED lights that change colour - simple but effective!!!
Shops - late night openings, pop-up shops, special event nights, shop and eat deals - the supermarkets all seem to be busy 24 hours - every once in a while give opportunity to those who work 9-5 a chance to shop local!
Street Angels - call them what you will (Town Pastors, Street Chaplains, NightLight, Street Partnership) safe people who patrol town centres on weekend evenings looking out for people, picking up glass, handing out flip-flops and lollies, etc. The Street Angels - CNI Network site offers resources and help to help you start a project.
Street Pastors - a similar group to Street Angels - see web site.
Socks - white socks and LED lights that change colour - simple but effective!!!
T

Tea and Toast - a great idea to offer tea and toast to those enjoying a night out...
Theatres - encourage people to not only visit the theatre but also to come and enjoy a pre-theatre meal or a post-theatre drink - special offers tied into theatre tickets may help with this!
Theatres - encourage people to not only visit the theatre but also to come and enjoy a pre-theatre meal or a post-theatre drink - special offers tied into theatre tickets may help with this!
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Ukuleles - well, ok, music nights or busking!
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Your ideas needed!
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Water - handing out bottles of water to clubbers helps people sober up and stops de-hydration!
Web Site Guide - create a web guide to a good night out in your area - including theatres, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, cinemas, transport details, special offers, links to social media - create a night-time community to celebrate what people can do - some examples include: Birmingham / Bournemouth /
Web Site Guide - create a web guide to a good night out in your area - including theatres, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, cinemas, transport details, special offers, links to social media - create a night-time community to celebrate what people can do - some examples include: Birmingham / Bournemouth /
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Your ideas needed!
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Youth Angels - a great idea in Scarborough - engaging with young people through games and activities - see web site.
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Zzzzzzz - don't forget night is also for sleeping!!!! :-)
We recommend:
Never run an initiative on your own - for the safety of yourself and others structured groups work better with links to statutory bodies such as police, local authority, town centre management, etc. Do not put yourself in positions where the safety of yourself or others is compromised. Make sure you are insured for the activity you are carrying out. These ideas are shared as a resource only and liaison with the groups listed may be needed before you can use the activity in your local area.
Never run an initiative on your own - for the safety of yourself and others structured groups work better with links to statutory bodies such as police, local authority, town centre management, etc. Do not put yourself in positions where the safety of yourself or others is compromised. Make sure you are insured for the activity you are carrying out. These ideas are shared as a resource only and liaison with the groups listed may be needed before you can use the activity in your local area.
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Donate to the work of CNI Network here
Street Angels - Christian Nightlife Initiatives Network: Registered Charity 1136416 / Company Limited by Guarantee 07173090 All content and various brand names (C) CNI Network Postal Address: CNI Network, The King's Centre, Park Rd, Halifax, HX1 2TS E-Mail: paul@cninetwork.org.uk (founder / CEO) / Phone: 07725501465 |