Charlie McCaffertyFundraising and Marketing

The History – Where it all Began

• Guildford Action started over 30 years ago as a support group for the unemployed in the recession of the early ‘Eighties’.

The Guildford Action Vision

• To enhance the lives of individuals & families through their experience of Guildford Action

Guildford Action Values

People Centred

  Knowledgeable

Respectful

Independent Impartial Confidential

Neighbourly Positive Practical

Guildford Action Mission

Working with others we will:

• Provide services that are chosen by hard-to-reach and disadvantaged individuals and families for support and activities

• Work in partnership with public bodies, voluntary and other charitable organisations in Guildford to achieve shared goals for the benefit of the disadvantaged

Guildford Action Mission

Working with others we will:

• Be a good organisation to work for

• Work for the benefit of the whole community

Guildford Action ‘Today’

• The Guildford Action Drop-in Centre

• Guildford Action for Families (GAF)

Over 30 years the charity has expanded its services to meet the needs of those who are most vulnerable and at

risk within our communities

The Drop-in Centre

Based at

The Community Centre Leapale Lane,

Guildford, GU1 4LY

• Aims to engage and support those with a multitude of issues, which may include

• Housing (Rough Sleepers & Sofa Surfers)• Debt• Relationship Breakdown• Mental Health Challenges• Isolation• Poverty (low incomes & Benefits)• Employment• Effects of Crime (victim or perpetrator)• Substance Misuse

Who the Guildford Action Drop-in Centre Supports

A Drop-in Centre Visitor

• Timmy can’t pay his bills on his own. Doesn’t want to speak to anyone on the phone.

• He feels safe at the Drop-in Centre.

• Timmy was lonely.• Timmy was on the

street.

A Drop-in Centre Visitor

Ben is 24 and has been sleeping rough for 9

years, after a childhood of abuse, he deserves

to laugh

There were 20 people sleeping rough on the streets of Guildford last night

• Centre normally open to all from 10.00am till 4.00pm Monday to Friday

• ‘Teas & Coffees’ Monday to Friday 8.00am till 9.30am outside St Saviours for those who have left the night hostel or slept rough

How the Guildford Action Drop-in Centre Supports

The Drop-in Centre

Those on the streets are vulnerable and at risk. People become institutionalised after 3 weeks being outside.

• Provides support on applications with housing, benefits advice and signposting on to specialist agencies for support

• Free showers and clothing available to those who have slept rough or in need

How the guildford Action Drop-in Centre

Supports

• A medical centre with doctors and district nurses regularly attend to prescribe and offer medical treatment for those who find it hard to access a GP for whatever reason.

• Affordable food at breakfast and lunch with hot refreshments throughout the day

Who the Drop-in Centre Supports

Numbers Supported by Guildford Action Drop-in

The Drop-in Centre has overThe Drop-in Centre has over

425differentdifferent visitors throughout the year visitors throughout the year

The Guildford Action Drop-in Centre team

1x Team Leader

4 x Project Workers

1 x Kitchen Worker

20 x Volunteers

The Guildford ‘Soup Kitchen’

•The Soup Kitchen runs from January to March annually with some 50 to 60 people turning up to one session for hot meals and drinks.

•It alternates from the Drop-in Centre to Number Five every Saturday from 1.00pm till 5.00pm.

•Guildford Action staff are present with volunteers, this year we were helped by volunteers from The Soroptimists and Barlow Robbins LLP.

• Clothing including

shoes, hats and coats

What the guildford Action Drop-in Centre

Needs

• Donations of dry & tinned food, household items

•Financial contributions to cover a variety of things disposable gloves, condoms, sanitary items

•Sleeping bags

•Thermos flasks

Sponsored Walk May

2009 – Shalford Park

Fundraising Events

Guildford Action for Families (THE GAF)

The GAF supports parents/carers who have children under the age of 18, who need support

Guildford Action for Families (THE GAF)

Summer Trips with the GAF help isolated families venture out and takes them away from their issues they are facing.

Guildford Action for Families (THE GAF)

Christmas is a very important time and for those who have very little can be an overwhelming one!

• A Balloon Release at The GAF 10th Birthday Party

• Fun activities in a safe environment

Guildford Action for Families (THE GAF)

• The Family Support workers work in the different areas and run Drop-in Sessions within these areas to reintegrate families back into the communities they have become marginalised from.

• Outreach at all other times to Parents/ Carers homes to those who are isolated. We cover Guildford Borough as well as some areas of Waverley.

Guildford Action for Families (THE GAF)

• Self referral are encouraged but the GAF also takes referrals from:– Social services– GPs & Health Visitors– Schools– Churches and parishioners– Friends

The GAF Gives Support from?

• Family breakdowns

• Domestic abuse

• Parenting Skills

• Housing issues such as arrears, homechoice etc.

• Children who have children

• Substance misuse

GAF Issues

• Courses are run such as parenting skills, numeracy & literacy, healthy eating, menu planning etc.

• Advice on parenting, benefits, debt and housing.

• The signposting of parents to specialist agencies for specific issues.

GAF Support

‘Parenting Course’

GAF

• Advocacy with Social Services involving those with children at risk of ‘care proceedings’

• Advocacy in court proceedings

• Arranging day trips to facilitate family unit bonding

GAF Support

• The GAF supported last year 436 adults and 408 children

• Numbers increase during economic downturn as relationship breakdown, debt, housing, mental health issues all increase

Numbers Supported by GAF

What the GAF Needs

• Computer games etc

• Children's’ clothes

•Books

•Pushchairs, cots, baby equipment

• Financial contributions for out of school activities

• Volunteers, crèche workers

The GAF Staff Team

1x Family Support Team Leader

3 x Family Support Workers

Other Guildford Action Activities

ADMINISTRATIONADMINISTRATION

FUNDRAISINGFUNDRAISING

MARKETINGMARKETING

DEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

Have you the skills or resources to help in any of these areas?

Numbers supported by Guildford Action over a year

Over 15001500 people helped in

one year

Total engaged with Guildford Action?

Guildford Action

Get in touch...and Thank you

info@guildfordaction.org.uk.