Angels on the streets of Bolton

Angels on the streets of Bolton


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22 October 2009

Bolton StreetAngels has opened a night café in Bolton’s clubland with four simple aims – to provide a helping hand, a listening ear, a safe space, and the love of God for people.

Bolton town centre is a great place for a night out. Within about a mile there are over 30 pubs, four clubs and some 5000 people out for a good time every Friday and Saturday. But things can wrong, such as “losing your mates or they’re not answering their mobiles, your mate gets off with a fella and leaves you stranded in town, or the doormen won’t let you into a club so you need somewhere to chill for an hour”.

After a successful pilot project last year operating from a Unitarian church in the heart of the action, the SafeSpace Café has opened on Bank Street. Supported by the police, local council and pubs, it is a member of the Pubwatch scheme which provide communications with the police, CCTV centre and member pubs and their door staff.

Alan Scantlebury reports on the first night. “Our team was talking to the door staff of one pub when a young woman was ejected for being sick. We escorted her to the SafeSpace Café where tissues and a paper bowl were provided. We later reunited her with her friends so they could all get home safely.

“Later, the police brought a single woman to us saying they found her shivering and wondering the street on her own with no coat or bag. She had argued with her friends in a club and walked out, leaving her belongings behind. Again, we were able to reunite this vulnerable young woman with her friends.

“Back at the café, a small stream of visitors drops by as people are curious to know what it’s all about. One man in his thirties had gone into town to drown his grief from bereavement. We provided a sympathetic listening ear and a good toasted tea cake and coffee.”

Alan says, “This is a Matthew 24 ministry – giving a cup of coffee to a stranger in Jesus’ name, looking after vulnerable people, trying to be salt and light and helping to make our town centre safer”.

Visit www.boltonstreetangels.org StreetAngels can always do with more volunteers.


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