A New Dementia Centre for Guildford

Published on: 30 Aug, 2025
Updated on: 31 Aug, 2025

A new charity is being set up to develop a much-needed local Dementia Support Hub for the people of Guildford and they need charity trustees.

Dementia, in its various forms and stages, affects many people in the UK’s ageing population. The Alzheimer’s Society says over 15,000 people in Surrey have been diagnosed with moderate or severe dementia and this is expected to increase to about 20,000 by 2030.

The former Mayor of Guildford, Sallie Barker

The Hunter Centre in Haslemere, together with the recent Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Sallie Barker, and Mary Creswell, Vice Lord-Lieutenant for Surrey, who has direct knowledge of supporting those with dementia, are looking for a diverse team of founder charity trustees.

Hunter Centre founder trustee and Guildford County Club member Martin Coakley said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to be in at the beginning and to shape the direction that will best serve the needs of the local community. Despite the challenges, good things can happen when a community comes together to bring about change.”

Zöe Franklin MP

Guildford’s MP Zöe Franklin wants to support the initiative. She told The Dragon: “Dementia and Alzheimer’s touches almost everyone’s lives in some way, so it’s great to see the community coming together for a project like this.

“I’m looking forward to meeting with Martin Coakley to learn more about the new centre and how I can potentially support its formation.”

Referring to examples in Sage House in Tangmere, West Sussex, and The Hunter Centre in Haslemere, Coakley added: “The vision and determination of local people and the support and donations from their local area have resulted in two thriving dementia hubs that bring together support services for those living with dementia. The leaders of both these successful services have generously offered support to this new Guildford charity.”

The organising team are continuing to build a board of founding trustees with entrepreneurial spirit who will create a dementia service that is specifically tailored to the needs of the Guildford area but builds upon the experience of Sage House and The Hunter Centre.

People with “energy, vision and useful business skills, who are not afraid to roll up their sleeves” are being sought. Other desired attributes are commercial awareness, a co-operative spirit and commitment. A mix of experience within the team will be invaluable.

Martin Coakley added: “We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities, and walks of life. Diversity of thought, experience, and perspective will be key to our success.

“We hope readers will feel inspired to read more about our ambitions, and the opportunity to contribute to this exciting and vital initiative.

“If you have any specific questions or would like to attend our ‘find out more’ session in early September then please email the Chair of The Hunter Centre, Anne Downing at: chairman@thehuntercentre.co.uk.”

More information about the project can be found at the follow link: Guildford Dementia Support Hub – Saxton Bampfylde – Global Executive Search & Leadership Consulting

An earlier version of this article was published in July.