Matrix Trust Celebrates 18 Years Of Nurturing Young People in Guildford

Published on: 13 Oct, 2018
Updated on: 13 Oct, 2018

The Matrix Trust, a Guildford-based youth charity, celebrated its 18th birthday with a banquet at the Guildhall, which helped raise funds to continue its work providing essential support to young people.

The High Sheriff of Surrey, Jim Glover, with some of the young people who attended the banquet.

The High Sheriff of Surrey, Jim Glover, opened the evening on September 21 by addressing 65 guests about the positive impact Matrix has made over the years to young people’s lives through its work in schools, youth clubs and community projects.

He said: “The secret to addressing the needs of young people today is to recruit and inspire good volunteers to make these projects happen. We all have a social responsibility to help develop our young citizens.”

Matrix has evolved over the years. Starting off as a small but important part of the community, it co-ordinated youth workers from Guildford churches to provide support for young people in schools. It currently works with hundreds of young people each year in both schools and the community.

Guests at the banquet in the Guildhall, Guildford.

The Matrix Trust’s chief executive officer, Misty Bower, said: “Our role is just as key today. However, our contact with schools and youth clubs has given us a more impactful vehicle for reaching out to young people whose needs have changed over the last 18 years. We are here to help them through this journey.”

Guests were treated to a banquet, live music, interviews with young people as well as a live auction where funds raised will not only go towards supporting and empowering young people in schools and youth hubs in their community throughout the borough, but also towards a new community youth project in Guildford town centre.