Guildford used to have a dire reputation for its night-time economy. National media asked the question, ‘how can a comfortable rural home counties town have earned such a name for anti-social and violent behaviour?’
In 2008, a group of local Christians felt called to stand up and see if there was a way that the love of Jesus could, very simply be brought to bear on that situation. A small number of towns had already experimented with something called ‘Street Angels’. Might this be the answer for Guildford?
“Fifteen years on, we know that the answer was not only ‘yes’,” says Chris Britton, Chair of the Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy, and one of the early Street Angel volunteers.
With a staff of four and over 130 volunteers the Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy (GTCC), now not only runs Street Angels every Friday and Saturday night, but also Community Angels (reaching the lonely at home) and Volunteer Chaplains (working with local businesses, shops and GP’s surgeries).
“In the early days none of us knew exactly what to expect,” says Chris. “We should not have been worried. Contrary to what many feared, being on the streets at night has never felt dangerous – edgy sometimes, yes. Challenging sometimes, yes. But every night is different and every encounter and conversation you have with people on the street is a chance to be alive to their vulnerability, a chance to empathise and provide practical, emotional and – yes, spiritual support.”
Every Street Angel has their own stories; calling for emergency help for the young man who had jumped into the river, befriending the middle-aged woman who had fled domestic violence with just a carrier bag of possessions, or the young female student who said ‘you won’t remember me, but six weeks ago you saved my life’.
Street Angels do not preach. They walk the gospel and speak Jesus’s words of love to people, whatever their circumstances.
“Perhaps that’s why I am still going out on the streets 14 years on,” says Chris. “It’s why I would say to anyone, ‘why don’t you be bold and take the same step?’ You will not regret it, and, like me, you may just find it’s the best thing you’ve done as a witness to your Saviour.