Real Change Guildford To Help The Borough’s Homeless Is Launched

Published on: 11 Jul, 2019
Updated on: 11 Jul, 2019

Residents and businesses in Guildford gathered at the Guildhall on Monday (July 8) to celebrate the launch of Real Change Guildford.

The launch event of Real Change Guildford was held at the Guildhall in the High Street on Monday, July 8.

Working in partnership with key organisations to help the homeless or those at risk of becoming homeless, Real Change Guildford is a community initiative set up to provide practical solutions to assist people to make steps to exit their life on the streets.

It is a fund-based scheme that will use donations generated by local businesses and the public to assist those most in need.

Funding will be made available for a training course or a deposit for a home, to providing a haircut or a new suit for that life-changing interview.

Money donated to Real Change Guildford will go directly to the right people and the right causes.

People wishing to access funds must apply to one of the partner organisations that include Guildford Action, Number Five Project and Catalyst, to name just a few.

The area manager at Riverside Guildford, Ketan Patel, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to transform lives and revitalise neighbourhoods, said: “Real Change works by establishing a passionate action group to help raise funds and work with local voluntary organisations.

“We can act quickly to change the circumstances of those most in need and deliver positive solutions to enable our homeless break the cycle of rough sleeping and make the necessary step changes to start a new life.”

The chief executive officer of Experience Guildford, Amanda Masters, is responsible for galvanising support from local businesses to help deliver the programme and raise funds. She said: “We can all make a positive change to our community if we join together to help alleviate this problem, and I urge our business community to get involved.

“We’re actively looking for action group members to help raise funds and deliver the campaigns support. We urge all businesses to help us spread the word and gain real momentum for this worthy cause.”

The leader of Guildford Borough Council, Caroline Reeves (Lib Dem Friary & St Nicolas), added: “I get to see the amazing breadth of help and support that is given to very vulnerable people.

“To be able to support with more than words and physical comfort can be a life-changing moment for some, whether it’s the fare to get to an interview, the clothes needed for an interview, a new pair of boots to keep feet dry, a new sim card so that they can contact friends or family to raise their spirits or a new sleeping bag.

“People in Guildford are extremely generous, whenever we put a call out for help it’s answered one way or another. But with Real Change people can know that their donations will provide exactly what is wanted, where it’s wanted.

“It won’t get side-tracked into the hands of a dealer, or spent on alcohol, it will provide the very thing that could be the start of transforming an individual’s life.”

Sainsbury’s in Guildford has actively embraced the scheme. Store manager Dave Hoole said: “We’re getting behind the initiative as part of Sainsbury’s 150th birthday and our commitment to do 150 days of community work.

“The end goal for me is to be able to employ someone involved in the scheme, helping them get off the streets and back into stable employment which will ultimately offer them a more positive prospect for their future.”

For more information on Real Change Guildford and how you can get involved to make a difference, plus to learn more about the full range of partner organisations that are committed to helping the homeless in Guildford, visit www.realchangeguildford.co.uk