It was nice to see many of you at our Corporate Ambassadors reception in November at the Guildhall. Thank you once again to all of you for your continued support. While we’ve had another year of living with the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic we have made great steps in providing grants to local not-for-profit organisations to help local people. This year alone, your annual donations have helped fund nine grants totalling £86,500.
We also hit a new milestone. Since our launch in 2014, we have now raised over £1million to help those most in need across our local community. This wouldn’t have been possible without everyone who donated, you our Corporate Ambassadors, many generous individuals, Guildford Borough Council for match funding 50% of all donations and our partners. Thank you.
Most recently, in September we awarded four grants, including £5,000 to Men in Sheds for their Activate Guildford project. Men in Sheds is a community space for men to connect and learn woodwork skills. The shed is a well-equipped workshop, kitted out with hand tools, portable power tools and small machines. Supervision is by well-qualified and experienced leaders. Men work on their own projects and also make items for sale to help with funding for the Shed.
We gave a grant of £7,000 to the GASP Motor Project, an independent alternative learning provider that delivers accredited courses in basic motor mechanics and practical engineering skills, and contributes to students’ positive personal development. This is vital learning and provides development experience for young people.
We awarded £5,750 to Home-Start Guildford, which is part of one of the UK’s leading family support charities Home-Start UK. They help parents who have at least one child under six and who are dealing with issues such as isolation, mental health, sickness, disability, domestic abuse, multiple births and difficult relationships. So far, they have supported almost 250 children, with almost 60 volunteers helping 115 families.
We finished off the month by awarding the Halow Project £2,750. Based in Guildford, they have been helping young people aged 16+ with learning disabilities since 2006. They provide social activities to help these young people enjoy an active social life, work experience and community-based learning.
In October, we gave £16,000 to the Matrix Trust to help them with their running costs, website and an outdoor canopy for their social enterprise café, The Hideaway. The Matrix Trust is a charity that helps vulnerable young people across the borough. They provide opportunities to make young people realise their unique potential and provide a platform for helping them make the most of their lives – whatever context they find themselves in.
These grants wouldn’t have been made possible without your help and annual donations. Thank you all for your continued support.
And finally, a reminder that we have complimentary tickets for our Corporate Ambassadors and a guest to attend a performance of Hamlet by the Guildford Shakespeare Company (GSC) at Holy Trinity Church on Thursday 10 February at 7.30pm. I will be hosting a drinks reception for you at the County Club prior to the performance from 6.30pm. This will include a brief presentation by GSC on its outreach work and other projects.
Wishing you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
