Organisations offering support and how you can help this Christmas

This year, as with 2020, people across Guildford, Cranleigh and our villages have done so much to look after each other and keep each other safe from Covid - thank you. And while much of our lives have gone back to something resembling normal we do, of course, need to continue to be careful, follow social distancing measures and ensure we are fully vaccinated. With cases rising due to the Omicron variant this is particularly important.

Personally, I'm really looking forward to being able to spend Christmas day with my parents and brother and I have other plans through the holidays. However, I recognise how fortunate I am and how we need to remember that for many across our communities Christmas and the holiday period will not be so happy. Loneliness, money concerns, and other worries are leaving local individuals and families facing a difficult time, but there are organisations who can provide support and ways that we 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.

If you spot that a local organisation is missing from this list please let us know by email and we'll get it added.

Thank you again for your generosity as a community and I hope you have a good Christmas in spite of the current situation.

Best

Zöe Franklin
Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Guildford, Cranleigh and our Villages
21st December 2021

Guildford-based Organisations

• 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.
• 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 this list.
  If you would like to make a donation you can find out how to do so here.
• Guildford Action & Guildford Action for Families
  Get help, find out more and donate via their website.
• 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.

Cranleigh-based Organisations

• Cranleigh Food Bank
• Rowleys Centre for the Community Meals on Wheels
• Cranleigh Community Fund (Referrals only through GPs, social workers, etc)

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 is organising and 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 the 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.