A new project called Street Angels is set to aid Birkenhead's night-time economy by assisting individuals in difficult situations.
The initiative, due to officially start this year, will see volunteers walking the streets on weekend nights, providing support to those who need it.
This project, the brainchild of the Wirral-based charity, Hitched Communities, was piloted on Mad Friday, the last Friday before Christmas, when the streets are filled with revellers.
The charity was awarded a grant from the government-backed Step Up Fund, which supports community, voluntary, and faith organisations in improving community health and wellbeing.
The funding is part of a wider effort to help deliver Wirral's health and wellbeing strategy, aimed at reducing violence.
Street Angels will join four other Step Up-funded game-changer projects in this endeavour.
Gary Wootten, director of Hitched Communities and shift leader, said: "We’re excited to get this project live.
"It has the potential to help a lot of vulnerable people and help make Birkenhead feel and be a safer place to live, work and spend time at night.
"Everyone was very supportive on the streets during our first shift.
"We now need volunteers to join the team to help as many vulnerable people at night as possible."
The Birkenhead initiative is part of the larger ROC Angels project, which sees similar schemes operating successfully across the country.
Paul Blakey MBE, CEO of ROC Angels, said: "We’re so pleased to see a Street Angels project in Birkenhead.
"We see many people supported on the streets through Angels projects around the country and are looking forward to helping the project thrive."
The project is a collaboration between Hitched Communities, the faith community, and night-time economy partners.
It aims to address the emotional and physical needs of vulnerable individuals, enhance local safety, and direct people to available services.
Volunteers from diverse backgrounds will be recruited and trained to join the Street Angels team.
Street Angels Birkenhead will operate on weekend nights from February 2025.
For more information or to inquire about volunteering, visit their website or follow Street Angels Birkenhead on Facebook and Instagram.
