The 1990s

The boom times of the 1980s gave way to the biting recession of the 1990s.  This and high unemployment meant increasing pressures on the voluntary sector to provide services.  Improved social and health care meant that people were living longer and using any money or savings they had to care for themselves. The number of legacies received by the charity increased but their total value fell. On the other hand, more and more people were using the charity’s services.

A hostel was opened in Chesswood Road for six young people in need, to help them find employment and develop everyday life skills. It was run by the charity until the mid-1990s when it was taken over by the Stonham Association.

In 1991 the Carers Liaison Project was launched to meet the needs of carers in the community.  Carers are people who, unpaid, look after others – often family members or friends - who cannot manage at home without help.

In May 1992, the last of Guild Care’s three founding members died.  Frank Cave MBE had remained actively involved in the charity’s work for 59 years until his death.  Frank was a former director of T. R. Beckett Ltd and editor of the Worthing and Shoreham Heralds. He will long be remembered as a great campaigner who battled vigorously against injustice.   One of his biggest achievements was to front the appeal for public funding of the present Methold House.  A Rotarian for 60 years, he spearheaded the Worthing Rotary Jubilee Appeal which raised over £70,000 for the new Methold House between 1971 and 1973.  Thanks to him, thousands of people have been able to benefit from the support, services and facilities at Methold House ever since.

In December 1992 the Duke of Richmond and Gordon opened the charity shop in Portland Road, Worthing.

	Guild Care's float at the Worthing Carnival 1990

1993 saw the charity’s Diamond Jubilee with a Service of Thanksgiving in St Paul’s Church to celebrate 60 years of service to the local community.  A new minibus purchased by local people, Worthing Lions Club and Worthing Borough Council’s Lottery Committee was presented to the charity.

A difficult decision was made to close the Richmond Wing of Frazer Lodge, moving elderly residents to other homes.  The charity also lost several retirement clubs in the mid 1990s.  Clifton Court’s numbers were not sustainable, and the Ferring Retirement Club, inaugurated in 1980, became independent.  The Durrington Over Sixties Club closed in 1993.

The Domiciliary Care Service, now known as Home Care, started in 1994. Often it was the small things that the charity provided that made a huge difference to individuals. The Home Helps undertook ordinary chores like cleaning, shopping, doing the laundry and getting prescriptions. Over the years this service has grown to provide support for over 500 people along the coast between Shoreham and Rustington. A home visiting scheme was also introduced with volunteers offering support and companionship to clients.

A fundraising Golf Tournament at Worthing Golf Club raised £2,000 in June 1994. This has since become an annual event, raising tens of thousands of pounds and providing valuable income for the organisation.

In 1995, the organisation’s headquarters moved from Methold House to Aldsworth Parade, Goring.  They remained there until 2003, when they returned to Methold House following its refurbishment and the launch of the Healthy Living Centre.

The Worthing Area Guild for Voluntary Service was relaunched as Guild Care in April 1995. The charity became a company limited by guarantee, enabling it to enter into contracts with social services departments.  The changes were designed to secure the future, increase the area of influence and to raise the Guild’s profile in the town and beyond. The charity’s aims remained the same.

	Rob Benfield and Carol Barnes when the Worthing Area Guild for Voluntary Service was relaunched as Guild Care in April 1995

In 1995 a Family Day Care Service started to provide support to older people in small family groups.

The Breakaway Project began in 1996 offering respite breaks for those caring for people with dementia. The service placed specially trained carers into the homes of those needing help for anything from a day to two weeks. The Project quickly became established as an important local resource.

In addition, the Fast Response Service, run in partnership with Adur, Arun and Worthing NHS Primary Care Trust, provided round-the-clock crisis care at home for up to 72 hours in Worthing.

For the first time in its history Guild Care spread its wings and extended its Community Care services to the Chanctonbury area with an Age Concern grant, providing a free and basic household repair and gardening service.

In 1997 Barbara Leighton was succeeded as Chief Executive by Robin Benfield, who had been Community Services Manager since 1991.

The charity was delighted when Major General Sir Philip Ward, KCVO, CBE agreed to become Guild Care’s first Patron in 1998 and in December officially opened the Ashdown Centre for children with special needs.  The centre provides play sessions at weekends and school holidays for children with needs such as autism, Down’s syndrome and cerebral palsy.  A major fundraising campaign preceded its opening.  Sponsors Seeboard provided significant funding to transform the historic flint building in Ashdown Road into a fully equipped centre, with further substantial financial support from Worthing Rotary Clubs and Rotary International.

	Ashdown was opened by Sir Philip Ward, KCVO, CBE Guild Care's first Patron in 1980

In March 1999 on a visit to Worthing, Her Majesty The Queen and HRH Prince Philip met Robin Benfield and viewed an exhibition about the charity’s work.

	HRH the Queen talks to Guild Care staff and volunteers in 1998

In the late 1990s Guild Care began a major programme of capital works to upgrade its care homes and further develop accommodation with care.  An extension to Caer Gwent was opened by Major General Sir Philip Ward, and Dolphin Court was substantially refurbished.

In 1998 a new furniture workshop was established in partnership with the West Sussex Probation Service.  This provided young offenders and volunteers with upholstery and restoration skills, and enabled Guild Care to offer better quality items in our shops and for families in crisis.  A new charity shop was opened at The Strand, Goring.

A Worthing ‘Help to Stay at Home’ scheme was developed with Social Services funding, providing low cost home help and gardening services for people aged over 75 on low incomes.  Following its success, a similar scheme was later launched in Shoreham.

At Whitcomb House, Guild Care piloted a rehabilitation service for people coming out of hospital, funded by Social Services.