2. 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’.
3. The Guildford Action Vision
• To enhance the lives of individuals & families
through their experience of Guildford Action
5. 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
6. Guildford Action Mission
Working with others we will:
• Be a good organisation to work for
• Work for the benefit of the whole community
7. 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
9. • 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
10. 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.
11. 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
12. There were 20 people sleeping rough
on the streets of Guildford last night
13. • 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
14. The Drop-in
Centre
Those on the streets are
vulnerable and at risk.
People become
institutionalised after 3
weeks being outside.
15. • 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
16. • 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
17. Numbers Supported by
Guildford Action Drop-in
The Drop-in Centre has overThe Drop-in Centre has over
425
differentdifferent visitors throughout the yearvisitors throughout the year
19. 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.
20. • 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
22. Guildford Action for
Families (THE GAF)
The GAF supports
parents/carers who have
children under the age of
18, who need support
23. 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.
24. Guildford Action for
Families (THE GAF)
Christmas is a very
important time and for
those who have very little
can be an overwhelming
one!
25. • A Balloon Release
at The GAF 10th
Birthday Party
• Fun activities in a
safe environment
Guildford Action for
Families (THE GAF)
26. • 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)
27. • 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?
28. • Family breakdowns
• Domestic abuse
• Parenting Skills
• Housing issues such as arrears, homechoice etc.
• Children who have children
• Substance misuse
GAF Issues
29. • 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
31. • 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
32. • 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
33. 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
34. The GAF Staff Team
1x Family Support Team Leader
3 x Family Support Workers
