How many flip-flops, bottles of water and foil blankets handed out in South Shields as Street Angels reveal latest figures

The charity has been hitting the streets in South Shields on Saturday nights since 2012, looking for those who may need a helping hand as they enjoy pubs and clubs.

Teams of three regularly patrol the town centre, riverside and sea front armed with first aid kits, foil blankets, flip-flops and snacks.

The help they offer can be anything from directing people to the nearest taxi rank to signposting them to local mental health and alcohol support services.

Volunteers are also trained in first aid, conflict management and safeguarding and carry radios with direct links to the council’s CCTV headquarters.

Since 2016 the charity has handed out more than 1,500 pairs of flip flops, 548 bottles of water and picked up 3,571 bottles and glasses off the streets.

Last year alone, volunteers administered basic first aid more than 100 times and gave out 52 space blankets.

“There is definitely a need for us,” said project coordinator, June Valente.

“There will always be those who are vulnerable and those who are struggling to get home and don’t have the assistance of others.

“Not everybody wants to be helped but anyone who needs us, we’ll help them in whatever way we can.”

However, there are fears that the Street Angels will not be able to continue to keep residents safe unless they find the cash to support them.

Despite saving the NHS and the local authority money by providing first aid, helping people get home safely and keeping the streets clear of bottles, they don’t receive any major funding to keep them afloat.

“There is an awful lot of competition within the charity sector and funders have very specific criteria that we often don’t fit into, so it’s really hard for us to get funding,” June said.

“For seven years we have managed to get by but it’s becoming more difficult and we’re really struggling.”

To find out more visit: www.southtynesidechurches.co.uk/streetangels.html