After an enforced break due to coronavirus, the much-loved Guildford Street Angels have resumed their duties as the town’s friendly night-time patrol, providing a calming presence and a listening ear. This is especially welcome at a time when confidence in town centres are in need of a boost.
Noelle Coe, Town Chaplain said “We have been working very hard during lockdown to get our teams ready for the time when they are able to return to the streets – offering compassion and practical help, after hours. We now have new rota’s in place, new operational guidelines and facemasks at the ready. Initially, our volunteer Angels will be supporting anyone who becomes vulnerable at the earlier time of 8pm until midnight, on Friday and Saturdays, as many venues are currently operating shorter hours. We are so thrilled to be back onto the streets, helping the town return to normality in these unprecedented times. We are grateful to the support of so many partner organisations, such as the Police, Guildford Borough Council, Churches and Pubwatch, who have made this possible. We are looking forward to working with others to help people “Be Cautious, Be Calm, Be Kind” when enjoying a night out – working together to get our town back on its feet, as safely as possible”
Amanda Masters, Chief Executive of Experience Guildford said “We are so pleased to see the Street Angels back in action. They make the night-time offering so much more appealing to people coming back into Guildford for an evening out. We’re proud to help supply them with the necessary PPE too to ensure the safety of their wonderful volunteers.”
The volunteer Angels were welcomed back on the streets on Friday 31 July by Patron’s, HM Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More-Molyneux and Lady Elizabeth Toulson, alongside other representatives and supporters. Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy, which runs the Street Angel project said “We are very thankful for the generosity of Experience Guildford, Pubwatch and Surrey PPE, who have given a wide range of special equipment so that both our Street Angels and the daytime Experience Guildford Town Rangers are well protected, whilst local gin distillery, Silent Pool , support us too by helping provide their amazing sanitizer. We are so pleased to be back!”
