Help & Useful Information for Christmas Period
Once again many people across Guildford, Cranleigh and our villages are entering the festive period with a feeling of anxiety, but rather than the covid-related concerns of recent years it is the rising cost of living that looms large. There is also the reality that not everyone finds the Christmas period a time of happiness - loneliness, missing loved ones and other worries mean that it is a difficult time.
However, there are organisations who can provide support and ways that those of us who are able can give to help too.
Alongside the Guildford Lib Dem team, I've collated as many organisations providing support. If you would like to support any of them with a donation the best way to do so is check their website (if there is one) and/or contact them by email to find out the best way to do so. Please feel free to share.
We have also listed various emergency contact details or sources of useful information for the period. We hope it will be helpful.
If you spot that a local organisation is missing from this list please let us know by email and we'll get it added.
I hope that however you are spending it, your Christmas period will be healthy, peaceful and positive.
Best wishes from myself, my family and the Guildford Liberal Democrat team.
Zöe Franklin
Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Guildford, Cranleigh and our Villages
16th December 2022
Guildford-based Help
- Gaskin's Free Christmas Lunch
A free lunch delivered to anyone who is lonely, homeless, vulnerable, students unable to be with family/friends, and anyone else in need.
For more information email info@freechristmaslunch.com or call Marta on 07855 846957. - Guildford Action & Guildford Action for Families
Get help, find out more and donate via their website. - North Guildford Food Bank
If you need help putting food on the table you need to get a referral from on of the organisations on their list.
If you would like to make a donation you can find out how to do so here. - Salvation Army Food Hub
- Thrive at the Hive & Community Fridge
Support for families and individuals with everyday goods, including pre-loved bundles to help with Christmas. Find out more at Thrive at the Hive or on Facebook.
The community fridge has an assortment of fresh food which you can make use of if you need to. If you have surplus fresh food which you want to donate get in touch via the links above. - Zero Carbon Guildford Community Fridge
Cranleigh-based Help
Across Surrey and Beyond
- Surrey Crisis Fund
A Surrey-wide fund providing financial help to Surrey residents who have nowhere else to turn in an emergency or following a disaster. - #JoinIn
If you're worried about being alone or lonely this Christmas Day you can join others across the UK and beyond via #JoinIn on Twitter. Organiser and comedian Sarah Millican will share more information nearer the day so make sure you follow her on Twitter or search for #JoinIn. - Samaritans
Whatever you're facing, Samaritans are here to listen day or night. You can contact them on 116 123 or by email. - Childline
Support for children and young people online or on 0800 1111. - South West Surrey Domestic Abuse Outreach Service
Free, confidential, independent, and impartial advice to anyone over the age of 16 affected by domestic abuse living in the boroughs of Guildford or Waverley.
Contact them on 01483 898884 if you need support or email swr@swsda.org.uk.
To support or donate go to www.swsda.org.uk/about-us/support-us/ - Pride in Surrey
Pride in Surrey have a great list of resources and places to get support for anyone who is LGBTQ+ or an ally. Do take a look.
Other Useful Information/Contact Details
- Check your refuse collection day for the Christmas period
- Guildford Borough Council Emergency Contacts
- Out-of-hours emergencies: 01344 949371
- Flooding and sandbags: 01344 949371
- Emergency housing repairs (Council tenants): 01483 532122
- Homelessness/emergency housing situations: 01483 517898
- Environmental health and stray dogs: 01344 949371
- Car parks: 0800 917 6655
- Park rangers: 07880 784947