Summer has arrived CNI Network Newsletter!

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the ‘MBE’ for voluntary groups, has been awarded to Guildford Street Angels.

Read more here - our congratulations to the Guildford team pictured above with Paul and Jean from CNI Network and Gavin Rushton a trainee vicar who was with CNI for 2 weeks on placement.

The Windsor Street Angels had teams at Royal Ascot last month. Starting at 5.15pm as Her Majesty the Queen left after a day at the races the teams patrolled around the High Street, car/coach parks and train station as the 65,000 - 90,000 race-goers left the racecourse. The team gave out approximately 240 flip flops and at least 60 bottles of water. As well as giving out these items the teams helped with a range of different incidents; assisting a person suffering from a panic attack, administering basic first aid and helping several individuals who were lost. On several occasions the Angels also provided vital intervention in helping vulnerable people, staying with them and making sure they got home safely. They also collected approximately £200 in donations. There may be opportunity to join the Windsor team at next years Royal Ascot.

More pictures and video here.

The CNI Network Annual General Meeting was held in June - see here for the Minutes of the meeting and the Statement of Accounts. Thanks to all those projects, churches, businesses and people who are standing with CNI Network financially - our vision is to cover all our core costs through regular giving so that we can offer a more realistic salary and plan better for our future.

To support CNI Network you can do directly via Co-Operative Bank, WN8 6WT: Sort Code 08-92-99 / Account Number 65462379 / Street Angels - Christian Nightlife Initiatives.

Pictures: Top - a large group of Christians from Korea who are visiting the UK to pray and encourage are out on the streets with Bedford Street Angels. They spent time praying for the team in Bedford and all those within the CNI family who serve our communities at night.

Left - Paul and Jean visit the Maidenhead Street Angels to thank the volunteers and hear the latest news from the town.

Right - Club Angels in Leeds completed a 9pm - 7am shift at Leeds Student Uni Ball where they were on hand to 'chat, help, listen and care'.

Club Angels Training Day

Saturday 18th July, 9am - 1pm
New Life Christian Centre, Croydon

To book in and for more information
carolyn@thirdspaceministries.co.uk

www.facebook.com/clubangelscroyd

The deadline for volunteering as a Festival Angel at Leeds Festival is 31st July - more details and sign up at www.leedsfestivalangels.org.uk . Already 100 volunteers are signed up and more information on this amazing work was featured on Branch FM recently.

Congratulations to Halifax Street Angels who received the District Commanders Commendation for their dedication to making our community safer. Siobhan Finneran star of Happy Valley, Benidorm and many others was even there to show her support (pictured left)

Also Happy 5th Birthday to Hartlepool Town Pastors (pictured above celebrating)

CNI had an exhibition at the Retreat Conference recently where they talked about creating retreat areas (sometimes called Night Church) within the night-time economy. So do or can any of the Street Angel and affiliated teams open the doors of their safe places and develop a small retreat style, quiet and reflective area, perhaps with some gentle and calming music and a picture to concentrate on and help people to reach a calmness in their spirit? If so or you are interested in developing this email jean@cninetwork.org.uk.

Paul was the guest speaker at the Hillingdon Street Angels AGM. Six new volunteers (above with the Deputy Mayor) were commissioned and ideas shared for work in new towns and inside club venues.

CNI also held a 'Double Dip' event which shared the vision of Festival Angels, Club Angels and CNI Network with church leaders. Starting with bacon butties and networking the morning included video presentations and stories from the festivals and clubs. Several people signed up as volunteers and we are keen to replicate this in other areas to help re-connect with church leaders. Contact Jean if you are interested

Paul and Jean will be speaking at a special evening hosted by Tamworth Street Angels at St Francis' Church, Leyfields Tamworth on Tuesday 21st July at 7.30pm - all are welcome!

Paul and Jean will be representing CNI Network in the Impact Cafe Venue at New Wine week 1 - do come and say hello to us if you are there! As well as the 'Volunteers Are Amazing' booklets the Street Angels book will be on sale along with information on other social action initiatives. In June Paul and Jean were at the ROC Your World conference in Manchester where they shared the story with the 120 delegates including Sir Matt Baggott (former police chief of Northern Ireland Police Service).

Some safety advice from our Spanish teams for those off on holiday (share on Facebook, with young people you know going away):

1) Drink plenty... of WATER!!
2) Keep your hotel name on you (write it on your arm?)
3) Don't leave a friend on their own.
4) Leave your valuables in a safe, or at home.

Paul met with new MP for Halifax, Holly Lynch, recently in the Houses of Parliament. Holly tweeted, following the visit, "What a great initiative Halifax can be proud of - one of our finest exports to the rest of the UK and beyond."

You can BOOK NOW for the CNI National Conference
23rd - 25th October in Manchester.

Special deals for early bookings with a wide range of
workshops, networking, meals, treats and fun.

Booking and full details online.