Street Angels Birkenhead, launched in December 2024 by Hitched Communities, has successfully completed its pilot phase in March 2025. Following this, Hitched Communities commissioned Dr Simone Benhafsi, University of Chester, to conduct a full independent evaluation—now published and available for public review.

Using a mix of interviews, nightly shift reports, and observations, Dr Simone Benhafsi from the University of Chester has produced a comprehensive overview of the programme’s operation and its impact on Birkenhead’s weekend night-time economy. The evaluation highlights:

• Positive outcomes observed: Street Angels volunteers have provided emotional and practical support, from offering water and first-aid assistance to signposting vulnerable individuals to specialist services.
• Strong community collaboration: The initiative benefited from partnerships with local businesses, police, and faith communities, building trust, safety and collaboration through community-led action.
• Volunteer engagement & well-being: Feedback from both volunteers and stakeholders reflects high satisfaction, with volunteers feeling valued and confident in their roles.

Dr Benhafsi’s report not only confirms that the project is operating well—it also provides clear, evidence-based recommendations to enhance its long-term sustainability. These include:

1. Extending shift nights: Expanding operations to have earlier shifts on Fridays and to align shifts with key local events.
2. Strengthening partnerships: Deepening collaboration with the police, licensing teams, night-time economy venues, and the faith community.
3. Volunteer recruitment: Expanding the volunteer pool and developing shift leaders to enable more shifts.

“The evaluation highlights the vital role Street Angels play in providing both practical and emotional front-line support,” says Dr Simone Benhafsi (University of Chester). “With enhanced hours and funding, this model has the potential to become a long‑term asset to Birkenhead’s community safety framework.”

 As a charity, Hitched Communities will now work closely with its partners to implement these recommendations, ensuring the programme continues to thrive and grow.

View the full evaluation report here