The Windsor Street Angel Blog
The latest news, thoughts and content linked to the Windsor Street Angels and related community projects
We’re hosting an open evening! Come along on Thursday 21st July at 7pm to our Hub and Base at the Baptist Church, Victoria Street, Windsor, SL43EE to learn more about the amazing things our volunteers do and maybe even sign up to join us too! We’re so pleased to be back after the lockdowns and we’re really looking forward to meeting and welcoming new volunteers to the team – so get involved, pop along on the 21st and meet us.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic we had to halt our patrols and our community hub in line with the lockdowns as we would have broken the rules around social distancing. This was not a decision we took lightly and we realised the impact it will have on the vulnerable within our night time community that rely on our Street Angels. As soon as we were able to do so safely and respecting the government restrictions we returned back to the streets supporting the rough sleepers, clubbers and anyone who need help.
On the 20th March when Lockdown began two of our Angels went out to speak to our rough sleepers and make sure they were aware of what was changing and why. Many of our rough sleepers wait for the Angels to visit, for their coffee, snacks and a chat and it was key for our teams that we gave them a comfort package to see them through the weekend as well as items to keep clean as they can’t access sinks to wash their hands. During lockdown our angels have been keeping busy, many of them are keyworkers, many have been supporting local charity initiatives and we are all looking forward to when things can get back to normal again. 
Donations will all go towards replacing our kit, new uniforms for our amazing volunteers, rucksacks and trolleys to carry our essentials in as well as much needed items like first aid kit, water bottles and the infamous pink flip flops and lollipops.
Donations can be made on our online donation site http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/AngelsKit
This is an annual event for the team and we’re joined by Reading Street Pastors and Maidenhead Street Angels on what is often a very busy week.
‘Every shift is different. It varies from supporting any of the homeless people in the area looking for a hot drink and a chat, to, offering a quiet space for anyone who’s found their night out a little overwhelming. I would definitely recommend joining the Windsor Street Angels to anyone who is looking for a volunteer role!’
Linda – Hub Angel Volunteer
To find out more about the Hub Angels and to apply click here
Windsor Street Angels are thrilled to have been selected as one of the local charities represented on MONOPOLY:Royal Windsor Edition that is hitting the shops on 5th October, well in time for this Christmas.
Windsor Street Angels were voted onto the board after a public poll was staged earlier in the year and are absolutely thrilled to be present on such an iconic game representing the town that the team patrol each Friday night and some Saturday’s too.
Read more here.
Huge thankyou to everyone who voted for us – we really are thrilled!
Windsor Street Angels supported the crowds of people who attended the Royal Wedding, giving out foil blankets to those camping out overnight and water, first aid and directions throughout the Friday night, Saturday day time and Saturday evening.
The ambience in the town was a first for the Angels feeling almost like a festival with so many happy people, songs and laughter.
A huge thankyou as always to our Angels but particularly this weekend where many of them walked into town from as far as Old Windsor to volunteer rather than celebrating the event in comfort.
And of course huge congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex on their very special day!
LPA Commander Commendation awarded to Windsor Street Angels
Members of Windsor Street Angels were awarded Thames Valley Police Area Commander’s Commendations in recognition of their commitment and selfless efforts to safeguard the most vulnerable communities.
The commendations were awarded to Windsor Street Angel’s founder and co-ordinator PCSO David Bullock and team leaders Alice, James, Karen and Martin by Superintendent Colin Hudson, Local Police Area Commander for Windsor and Maidenhead.
The award recognised that the Windsor Street Angel’s initiative was an exceptional example of the Thames Valley Police Force values of taking pride in delivering a high quality service, keeping our promises and treating everyone fairly and with respect.
Go Gung-Ho! for Windsor Street Angels
Windsor Street Angels has been selected to be the charity partner for Gung-Ho! Windsor being held on the 24th March at Windsor Racecourse.
Gung-Ho! Windsor is a unique 5km inflatable obstacle course where fun loving individuals, families and groups will take on ten of the greatest inflatable obstacles on the planet.
As charity partner we have a limited number of entries for our supporters to take part in this fantastic event and raise money and awareness for the Windsor Street Angels whilst taking on obstacles like the biggest inflatable slide in Europe, a giant ball pit and the largest single piece inflatable obstacle in the world.
Want to get involved?
Volunteer on the day
We have volunteering opportunities on the day from 8am to 4pm. To get involved send an email with your contact details to windsorstreetangels@gmail.com . You’ll get free refreshments and a day of fun supporting the Windsor Street Angels as an event marshall.
Requirements – available from 8am – 4pm inclusive, aged 16+
Fundraise for us
Get involved and Be Gung-Ho for Windsor Street Angels by buying one of our limited number of charity tickets. You can buy your ticket direct from Windsor Street Angels at a discounted price of £35 (22% off normal price) or you can fundraise for us and commit to raising a minimum of £50 for Windsor Street Angels – if you raise at least £50 on your online fundraising page you won’t need to pay for your entry fee.
To sign up to take part in this great event send an email to windsorstreetangels@gmail.com
Thankyou so much for your generous donations for warm clothing during the extreme weather conditions in February and March. We have replenished our stock and now have enough warm clothing to get us through to next Winter.
All suitable clothing and blankets will be distributed amongst those that need it during the Windsor Street Angels patrols.
The collection points are now closed but our online donation page for warm clothing purchases and items provided to the homeless and rough sleepers by the Windsor Street Angels remains open here.
A huge thankyou to everyone who donated clothing or money and to Windsor Leisure Centre and the Co-op, Arthur Road for acting as collection points.
The ACT Foundation awards fundraising match grant for £10,000!
The ACT Foundation have generously awarded Windsor Christian Action a fundraising match grant to the value of £10,000. This grant will be spread across the three charities that operate under the Windsor Christian Action umbrella: Windsor Street Angels; Windsor Homeless Project; and Windsor Foodshare. This grant reflects the fantastic amount of fundraising completed by the churches of Windsor on behalf of Windsor Christian Action.
This generous sum of money will make a huge difference and help encourage further fundraising across the three charities. Windsor Street Angels, Windsor Homeless Project and Windsor Foodshare are all reliant upon donations to continue their work to support those in need in Windsor.
The ACT Foundation provide grants to help enhance the quality of life for people in need – to learn more about the foundation please go to www.theactfoundation.co.uk
The ACT Foundation awards fundraising match grant for £10,000!
The ACT Foundation have generously awarded Windsor Christian Action a fundraising match grant to the value of £10,000. This grant will be spread across the three charities that operate under the Windsor Christian Action umbrella: Windsor Street Angels; Windsor Homeless Project; and Windsor Foodshare. This grant reflects the fantastic amount of fundraising completed by the churches of Windsor on behalf of Windsor Christian Action.
This generous sum of money will make a huge difference and help encourage further fundraising across the three charities. Windsor Street Angels, Windsor Homeless Project and Windsor Foodshare are all reliant upon donations to continue their work to support those in need in Windsor.
The ACT Foundation provide grants to help enhance the quality of life for people in need – to learn more about the foundation please go to www.theactfoundation.co.uk
Thankyou to the Co-op Arthur Road
We’ve been awarded a donation of £500 from the Windsor Arthur Road branch of the Co-op.
This fantastic donation will go towards replenishing our stocks that the Angels carry each Friday night and providing essential uniforms and high vis jackets for our new volunteers.
The Co-op Local Community Fund is the Co-op’s way of giving back to their members and communities by giving money to local causes that their members care about. A huge thankyou to the Co-op team and their members/customers for making this donation possible.
2017 – a Year in Review
2017 was the year Windsor Street Angels turned 5 years old, a year where we helped over 4,000 people, sponsored a public access defibrillator and welcomed many new volunteers to our team.
Read about our year in review in full here…
December’s Windsor Street Angel of the month is Alice H who joined the Street Angels in 2016.
Alice is one of our team leaders and has also fundraised for us, completing ultramarathons in Iceland and the Cotswolds and most recently a 100 mile hike in Scotland with her rescue dog Reggie.
Read more about what Alice H enjoys most about being an Angel here
Windsor Street Angels Christmas Raffle
- December 2017
This Christmas we held our first ever Windsor Street Angel’s Christmas Raffle with all the money raised going directly to support the Street Angels.
The raffle was organised by Angel Katie Jones who has worked with many of the local businesses, bars and clubs to arrange the generous prizes. With prizes for everyone with prizes ranging from complimentary club entry and drinks to a boat trip down the river.
The raffle was drawn on the 14th December and has raised a whopping £400 – that’s enough to buy our kit for over two months.
A huge thankyou to Katie for her energy and enthusiasm at arranging the raffle and a massive thanks to all the generous donors of prizes.
Training for the team on Hate Crime, Vulnerability and Drugs Awareness
-
October 2017
The team had a great training session covering drugs awareness, vulnerability and hate crime.
All three items are issues that our Street Angels observe whilst on shift and training like this is critical to ensure they are comfortable recognising it and knowing how best to support those impacted.
All our Street Angels receive free training covering these areas and many more topics such as first aid, homelessness and radio skills.
The first Community Access Defibrillator in Windsor has been installed on William Street and is sponsored by the Windsor Street Angels!
-
October 2017
A defibrillator is an essential piece of life saving equipment and our Street Angels actually carry one with them during shift as these really can make the difference in survival if someone suffers a cardiac arrest.
Providing community access defibrillators means that this kit is available to anyone that needs it and William Street is a busy location close to the high street and clubs.
The defibrillator has been provided as part of the Windsor Community Defibrillator Project which is working to ensure there are accessible community defibrillators across Windsor.
