ROC UK

We’re delighted to announce that Geoff Baxter OBE is joining ROC as our new Executive Director, leading on business development. Geoff brings extensive experience from a distinguished career across the charity and faith sectors. He is the founder of Reflex Prison Ministry and has held senior roles with organisations including British Youth for Christ, Living Well, Prison Fellowship and Mercy Ships. He has also worked as a consultant within the criminal justice system, supporting initiatives that serve vulnerable communities. His passion for community transformation and his strong track record in partnership working will be invaluable as we continue to grow ROC’s impact across the UK and USA. Geoff will also continue supporting the work of NAYBA in the United States and Australia to help churches in transforming their communities. This international perspective will support and create opportunities for collaboration within ROC’s work. Geoff’s appointment marks an exciting step forward as we continue building safer, stronger communities by bringing people together to address local need. Please join us in warmly welcoming Geoff to the team.

Are you going to Spring Harvest 2026 🤔 Let us know and who knows you might see Debra Green Speaker and Author 😁

WATCH: The first female Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, to be enthroned. Click the link to watch the ceremony ⬇️ trib.al/IU2yI19 📺 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube

Following the launch in England and Wales last year of the first phase of the neighbourhood policing programme training modules, a new tranche of training is now providing officers with the skills and knowledge to tackle serious and organised crime (SOC) in local communities; Chief Superintendent Andy Sidebotham, Head of Uniformed Policing at the College of Policing, spoke to Policing Insight’s Sarah Gibbons about the local impact of SOC, and how the investment in officers will benefit communities. [SUBSCRIBER ARTICLE] policinginsight.com/feature/interv… @CollegeofPolice

In the latest in a regular series of articles from the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), Matthew Barber, APCC Joint Lead on Serious Violence and PCC for the Thames Valley, highlights the continuing efforts of police and PCCs to tackle knife crime and the importance of partnerships and early intervention to change the culture of knife carrying, and urges the Government to ensure the momentum and progress made to date is not lost with the abolition of PCCs and ongoing police reform. policinginsight.com/feature/opinio… @AssocPCCs @matthewbarberUK @TV_PCC 💡 Read more articles in the 'APCC insight: The public's policing voice' series: policinginsight.com/series/apcc-in…

ROC On Tour -Across The South West Debra and Frank have spent the weekend in Dawlish and Exeter speaking at 4 events. 3 events were organised by the ROC Dawlish team, Mark and Jo Jones and team including a meeting at the Town Council building with civic leaders, a meeting with church leaders and a celebration with people from churches in the South West. Also great to work alongside Chris Clewer from churches together in Plymouth who has been an ambassador of ROC since the planning of the launch of ROC at the Plymouth Pavilions in 2011. On Sunday Debra preached at Riverside church, Exeter.

Day two including a train trip to Teignmouth, lunch out and a regional celebration

We’re in #Dawlish and #Exeter for the weekend speaking at various events organised by our ROC Dawlish leaders. @weareROC

ROC Angels News… Blackpool and the Fylde Street Angels Responder team supported the Hindu Society Festival of Colour Holi at Blackpool Stanley Park. Karla from Oldham Street Angels featured in an International Women’s Day documentary ‘Women in the Industry’ - watch here. Plymouth City Pastors were invited to the opening ceremony of the Knife Angel visit to the city. Details of the Knife Angels visit to Plymouth is here. Street Angels Chester and Birkenhead joined together for a fantastic evening of First Aid training with Grahame from the Red Cross. He covered a wide range of topics and gave our Angels valuable training in how to use a defibrillator. York Street Angels attended the York St John Student Safety and Sexual Violence day. Watford Street Angels entered a team in the town’s annual Pancake Day races with Geert, the lead Chaplain, and 3 vicars. BBC Radio 2’s Scott Mills also entered and talked about the ‘Flying Vicars’ on his show!

Here’s our fantastic ROC team running a community event in #Wythenshawe ROC Wythenshawe giving away free shoes and supporting the community! #mentalhealth

ROC Chat - Chester University During February 2026, ROC CHAT was proud to host a group of first year student nurses from the University of Chester, as part of their Creative Health placement experience. Students attended the placement across several Thursdays throughout the month, spending time in a range of community settings across Wythenshawe, including William Temple Church, Wythenshawe Forum, Village 135, the Tree of Life and Mess Café community spaces, and other associated hubs. Read more below…👇

ROC Chat currently has students from University of Chester on placement and they are doing a great job 👏👏👏👏

Debra Green OBE DL - Community Engagement Gathering eventbrite.co.uk/e/debra-green-…

ROC UK Launches ROC Connect to Strengthen Community Partnerships Across the UK Redeeming Our Communities (ROC), the national community engagement charity working to foster safer, stronger and kinder neighbourhoods, has launched ROC Connect — a new initiative designed to deepen collaboration and clarity around how individuals and organisations are connected with ROC’s growing movement. roc.uk.com/roc-uk-launche…

Have you heard of ROC Chat… Yesterday ROC CHAT trained 18 students from Chester University. Click the link and find out more 👇 roc.uk.com

Debra Green OBE DL - Community Engagement Gathering Opportunity to meet Debra Green OBE DL, hear her share some inspiring stories of community collaboration from across the UK and some friendly, informal networking over light refreshments. 📅 Date: Friday March 20, 2026, 1600-1730 📍 Venue: The Mayor’s Parlour, The Manor House, Old Town Street, Dawlish, Devon EX7 9AW 🎟️ Tickets: FREE (includes light refreshments). 🌐 Book now: …ccommunityengagement.eventbrite.co.uk What to Expect: 🔹 Inspiring Keynote Address by Debra Green OBE DL, CEO of ROC UK 🔹 Practical Tools for Community Engagement and Transformation 🔹 Encouragement and Vision to Help Your Organisation Make a Greater Impact Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired, equipped, and connected! For more information, contact: 📧 rocdawlish@gmail.com📞 07729 998334 Please let us know any dietary requirements you may have so we can cater for your needs. eventbrite.co.uk/e/debra-green-…

‘Finding the Peace’ initiative launched By working together, ‘Finding the Peace’ aims to bring long-term, lasting peace to local communities across the UK. We are celebrating communities coming together, and churches playing their part in bringing healing and long term peace to our neighbourhoods. This will create communities where everyone is welcome, and where no one needs to live in fear. We are currently working to launch collaborative projects that encourage cross-cultural understanding and contribute to the neighbourhood’s overall peace and prosperity. In the coming months we aim to facilitate initiatives which will enable communication, cooperation and celebration in local communities. This will begin with listening to the experiences of different communities across the UK, and acknowledging the different viewpoints that are held. When responding to new needs that we see, the faith and belief of generous individuals is vital. Both ROC and Welcome Churches have seen time and time again how the generosity of individuals forms an essential foundation for pioneering initiatives to bring much-needed change. We are delighted to be working with Stewardship to inspire generosity for such a time as this. To resource communities to adapt to these challenging times, we are seeking generous individuals to join with us to respond quickly to these unique circumstances. We have currently identified more than 40 communities particularly at risk of riots and protests recently that we could offer support to. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and will enable more communities to ‘Find the Peace’ for the future. You can donate to the ‘Finding the Peace’ initiative, through our Stewardship page. roc.uk.com/finding-the-pe…

As always, I am praying for peace and goodwill across the world tonight. Violence begets violence and innocent lives are lost. Peace is hard to achieve but worth seeking.