The depression of the 1930s was biting hard. Unemployment hit an all-time record with three million out of work - one in four of the British labour force. Although Sussex did not have the heavy industry which suffered so badly at this time, many workers found themselves on the ‘dole’. The Welfare State was not even a glimmer in politicians’ eyes.

There were hunger marches from Jarrow to London. Women joined a march from London to Brighton.  Sir Oswald Mosley formed a new political party to mobilise ‘energy, vitality and manhood’. The Party was the British Union of Fascists. Hitler came to power as Chancellor of Germany.

In Worthing, against this background of doom and gloom, there was a glimmer of hope for the victims of the times.  At the instigation of the Revd E A Haviland, Rector of Heene, an invitation was issued to all those interested in the plight of those needing relief from distress to attend a public meeting on 5 April 1933 at Heene Church Rooms. The Revd Haviland had been involved with a Council of Social Service in Coventry, and on moving south saw the need for such an organisation in Worthing.  He was joined by over 45 people representing a wide range of organisations and thus the Worthing Council of Social Service, known more recently as the Worthing Area Guild and, since 1995, as Guild Care, was born.

The first Executive Committee meeting was held on 9 May 1933. Those elected included a young local newspaper reporter, Frank Cave, and Arthur Linfield, son of the founder of the local nursery, A G Linfield. The aims of this embryonic organisation were “To unite men and women of every class and race, irrespective of political or religious opinion, in the promotion of public welfare and personal service.”