Free Conference Will Focus On Poverty In Guildford

Published on: 18 Aug, 2015
Updated on: 20 Aug, 2015

Although Guildford is generally seen as a wealthy place, there is, unfortunately, poverty across the borough.

People who work in the local voluntary and advice sectors, and those who volunteer themselves – for example at food banks, working with the homeless, or in children’s centres – are often the ones who support those experiencing hardship.

A free conference is taking place aimed at ‘grassroots’ volunteers and paid staff working in the Guildford area, to inform them of changes on the horizon, such as Universal Credit, and their implications.

It is being organised by Guildford Advice Services, a project that promotes collaboration between local advice agencies. The conference, Enhancing Practice, Understanding Poverty: A Guildford Perspective, is taking place at St Saviour’s Church in Woodbridge Road, on Friday, September 18.

Speakers will include the chief executive of Catalyst, Haydn Morris; Guildford Citizens Advice Centre bureau manager, Joan O’Byrne, and its training and quality of advice manager, Sharon Downs; Jo Cookes and Nicola Bassini, from the Diocese of Guildford’s community engagement team; Denise Graves and Jess Hogan-Smith from Voluntary Action South West Surrey; Guildford Borough Council’s money advisor Mark Beasley; and Maria Zealey head of the Surrey Welfare Rights Unit.

There will also be workshops, time for networking and discussion, plenty of literature and information to take away, plus refreshments and lunch.

For delegates, the conference aims to:

Enhance your skills as volunteers by sharing your experiences with others
Develop your communication skills
Give you an awareness of welfare reform and it’s likely impact in the Guildford area
Give you an opportunity to highlight the areas in which you need more support and information and how this can best be delivered to you
Develop your knowledge of other agencies, and services, in the Guildford area

Bookings are now being taken and places are limited. Click here for ticket details and to book you FREE place.