News from Voluntary Action South West Surrey, Autumn 2025

Published on: 16 Oct, 2025
Updated on: 17 Oct, 2025

Voluntary Action South West Surrey gives help and advice to people who are looking to volunteer their time, while it also supports groups, organisations and charities who rely on volunteer help.

It covers the boroughs of Guildford and Waverley.

Successful mini conference

Voluntary Action’s Caroline Keith (joint chief executive officer) addresses the mini conference at the Wilfrid Noyce Community Centre in Godalming on Tuesday, October 14.

On Tuesday this week (October 14) Voluntary Action hosted a mini conference focusing on ideas and suggestion on how to raise funds and making bids for funding.

Held at the Wilfrid Noyce Community Centre in Godalming, the room was buzzing as delegates heard presentations from a number of fundraising experts including Helen Stanley, Naomi Miller and Kate Whittaker. In addirtion, Carol Dunnett, Kat Wayne and Kate Peters answered questions.

Over refreshments, delegates at the conference had plenty of time to chat to one another about their respective charities and organisations.

Scores of volunteer roles available

Voluntary Action’s website has details of a wide range of volunteer opportunities.

These are listed and managed by organisations and charities themselves and to which you can apply directly if there is a role you are interested in or want to find more details about it. Click here to see more.

Voluntary Action South West Surrey has its office within the Old Millmead House building within the grounds of Guildford Borough Council.

Since February 2024, Voluntary Action’s office has been at Old Millmead House, within Guildford Borough Council’s offices.

To make an appointment to visit (whether you are looking for a volunteer role, or are an organisation who would like some help), send an email to volunteer@vasws.org.uk

Some latest volunteer roles

Volunteer drivers are needed for the Williams Club in Farnham, attended by blind and partially sighted people.

It meets on the first Wednesday of the month at Farnham Baptist Church and is an opportunity for blind and partially sighted people to meet and socialise.

Extra drivers are needed to bring members from their homes to and from the meetings.

For more details phone Jenny Colquhoun on 07949 604255, or her colleague Katie on 07462 096871.

Care for Guildford has volunteers who use their own cars to take people to appointments at GP surgeries, dentists, hospitals, therapeutic clubs and day centres – people who would otherwise struggle to get there.

It welcomes new volunteer drivers and for details. Send an email to volunteer@careforguildford.org.uk or phone 01483 566635.

Citizens Advice Witness Service is looking for volunteers to support its outreach service in the Guildford area.

You will support vulnerable and intimidated victims and witnesses and be their supporter before, during and after the trial to help them prepare and cope with their experience of giving evidence.

You will meet witnesses by video call, by phone or at a safe place such as a school or community venue where needed. You’ll go with them to visit the court and be there to support them on the day of the trial. You can read more about what is expected of our outreach volunteers in our role profile.

For more information visit Witness Service volunteering

Apply to become a Witness Service volunteer.

Come and take part as we tidy up war graves

Voluntary Action has teamed up with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and its Eyes On Hands On project, in which volunteers tidy up and record the condition of war graves in churchyards and municipal cemeteries.

It undertakes two sessions a year at both Guildford’s Stoke (Old) Cemetery in Stoughton Road and at Godalming’s Nightingale Cemetery.

On Tuesday, November 12, from 9.30am to 1pm, a volunteer work party will be at the Stoke (Old) Cemetery.

If you would like to come along and help Voluntary Action staff David Rose and Kate Jones, contact Kate on 07513 825132 or email to k.jones@vasws.org.uk

All equipment will be provided by as well as refreshments.

Lunch and learn sessions with Voluntary Action’s Volunteer Connections project

These are short sessions held at lunchtimes, open to all.

At a recent session, Sandy and Ethan from the Surrey Independent Visitor Service shared the incredible impact its service has on young people in care.

Catch their full presentation here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvONCC2qXrU

Independent Visitors are volunteers who offer children in care friendship, consistency and a safe space to be themselves.

Interested in making a difference? Learn more and apply here.

The next Lunch and Learn session is on Tuesday, October 21, from 12.30pm to 1pm, online on Teams.

Volunteers from Milford and Witley Village Care will share how volunteers make a real difference in their work and community.

No need to register — just use the login below to join!

Meeting ID: 377 525 726 559 9
Passcode: eW3xt9oP

For further details of the Lunch and learn sessions, contact Alice Sheppard on 07936 364336. Email to a.sheppard@vasws.org.uk

Voluntary Action helps to promote other community activities and things to do, including those related to better health opportunities, wellbeing and so on

All are welcome at a dementia disco

In September staff and residents at Silverbirch House Care Home in Worplesdon dusted off their dancing shoes for the launch of their new dementia disco initiative.

Knowing how much their residents love to dance, the activities team at Silverbirch House came up with the idea of a dementia-friendly disco.

The team invited members of the local community along with the Deputy Mayor of Guildford, Jane Tyson, and friends of the homes to the first official dementia-friendly disco which went down a storm.

The dementia disco will now be hosting monthly, shared with Mill View in Shalford and Worplesdon View, within the Barchester group of care homes.

The next dementia disco, with a Halloween theme, takes place on Friday, October 31, at Mill View Care Home in Shalford.

The next dementia disco will be held on Friday, October 31, from 2pm to 4pm, at Mill View Care Home in Shalford.

If you and your loved ones or community group would like to attend, phone 01483 966570 or send an to email to Julie.Shaw@Barchester.com.

Silverbirch House has an open day on Saturday, October 25.

And a menopause awareness event will take place on Thursday, November 6.

Guildford Lions Club’s Fireworks Festival, Saturday, November 8

Guildford’s much-loved firework festival with live music is on Saturday, November 8.

Every penny of profit will go directly to support local causes and this year, alongside its own club welfare fund, it will raise money for the Fountain Centre, an independent charity offering vital emotional and practical support to cancer patients and their families from the moment of diagnosis and beyond.

Event details and to purchase tickets, use these links to visit the Guildford Lions Club’s website or follow it on its Facebook page.

Free fitness classes are being held at St Clare’s Church in Park Barn

Surrey Sports Park in conjunction with Sport England host fitness classes at St Clare’s Church, Cabell Road, Park Barn, Guildford.

Classes for adults on Mondays and Fridays cost a suggested donation of £2. Classes for children in school Years 5 and 6 on Mondays are free.

See posters below for more details.