GUILDFORD STREET ANGELS

For all those of you out there who are wondering who Guildford Street Angels are and why we have chosen to walk for them.....

Street Angels began with a bang on 17^th October 2008. 40+ eager souls ventured onto the streets of Guildford for their first Friday evening taste of the night-life of our town. They were excited and nervous as they ventured forth from their base at the YMCA. Within twenty minutes they heard over the radio something from one of the local clubs along the lines of ‘We’ve got a problem, but it’s okay, Street Angels are in attendance’.  As the Chief Constable of Surrey was listening in at that moment, our stock rose considerably within the ranks of the Police Force. 

And so it has been ever since – every weekend on Friday and Saturday, a team of willing volunteers are on the streets of Guildford in their blue uniforms dispensing lollipops, flip-flops, water, space blankets, tissues, plasters, wet wipes and anything else that they can offer to help someone in need of care and attention. Most importantly, Street Angels give time to people that other agencies cannot give. They provide a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on and even a piggy back on occasion! They bring a calming presence and in fact, during the first year of operation, Police statistics showed that public place violence decreased by 39% when Street Angels were out in the town, as opposed to 3% for the rest of the week.

Over nearly six years volunteers have come and gone, but we maintain numbers at a steady 85 on average, and the impact they make has not waned. They are now a permanent fixture of the night-time economy of Guildford, respected and appreciated by the clubs, pubs, Police and paramedics, but most importantly by the regular visitors out and about in Guildford each week having a good time.