St Andrew's Womens Group meeting report

(click on image to enlarge)

(click on image to enlarge)

ST ANDREWS WOMEN'S GROUP

Our June meeting was well supported to welcome our speaker HILARY FERGUSSON from STREET ANGELS.

This remarkable charity was formed to carry on the work originally carried out pre-Covid and lockdown by a charity called STREET PASTORS.

All volunteers, they patrol the streets of Chester on Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm until 3am in groups of 3- 4 . Their mission is not to preach but to offer help, care and a listening ear to anyone in need and to keep them safe.

Each volunteer carries a rucksack filled with useful items such as flip flops, given out to girls who have lost or removed their shoes, sick bags, first aid kit, dustpan and brush for sweeping up broken glass, and lollipops offered to calm or diffuse a situation. Most of the problems encountered are alcohol related. All volunteers are in radio contact with the police and CCTV operators and can alert the services when needed. They can also be directed by these services to areas where they may be able to offer assistance.

Funding for this invaluable charity comes mainly from city centre businesses and the City Council.

This evening left us in awe and admiration for the work carried out by the volunteers and we wish them well as they continue to keep people safe at night in Chester City Centre.

Our evening was completed with our usual homemade cakes and biscuits (thank you Mairi), tea and coffee.

Our next meeting is our summer outing. This year we are having an afternoon trip to Bellis' garden centre and farm shop. We meet there at 2.30pm on Wednesday July 3rd.