Churches Together in Boscombe A fellowship of churches with a common calling

Boscombe Angels

WHO ON EARTH ARE ‘THE BOSCOMBE ANGELS’?

If you were down on the promenade near Fisherman’s Walk on Friday evenings last summer you may have noticed a small team of people in luminous, bright yellow jackets walking between The Bistro on the Beach and Boscombe Pier. Who are they, and why were they there?

‘Boscombe Angels’ are a group of volunteers recruited from Churches Together in Boscombe, who go out onto the streets and beaches to support and assist anyone, young or old who, for whatever reason, find themselves in trouble or in a vulnerable situation. Although they work in conjunction with Boscombe Police, they are not an alternative to a Police presence. They have no special authority; they are simply there to support people .whoever they are and whatever their situation, for example by listening, caring, offering practical help or by referring people to other (specialist) agencies who can help them.

They carry some useful kit such as flip-flops, basic first aid, water and space blankets to prevent hypothermia, and if a situation arises which they are not equipped to deal with, they can call for help on mobile phones. After training from the Police and St. John Ambulance, the team began a pilot scheme, walking along the promenade every Friday evening between 7 and 11pm for the six weeks of the summer holidays.

What difference did they make? During that time, calls to the Police from members of the public decreased and families and overseas students were able to enjoy themselves hassle free. In other words, they have effectively prevented situations which would have involved the police in call-outs and made beach users feel safer.

What is happening now? In order to continue and expand this initiative, the team of volunteers needs to ‘grow’, and they are now actively looking for more people to join them: anyone who is over 18 (there is no upper age limit), is willing to undergo training, come along to some meetings, be CRB checked and give a few hours of their time every month to go out with the team, would be welcome to ‘be an Angel.’ There are 18 volunteers so far, and it is hoped to reach 30 by next spring. (2011).

They are also looking for people willing to offer prayer support for them while they are working. Please keep this project in your prayers.

Click here for Boscombe Angels website

Click here for flyer

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES

Click here for video

If you are interested, please get in touch in the first instance with the secretary, Kate at boscombeangels@gmail.com

See here for coverage on the Dorset Police website

Useful websites: www.halifaxstreetangels.com and www.streetpastors.org.uk