How it all began

• On 5th April 1933 a small team of dedicated pioneers developed the Worthing Council of Social Service - WCSS - (today known as Guild Care) in order to create a kinder, more caring society.
• The founders were Effie Methold, Frank Cave, Arthur Linfield and E. A. Haviland Rector of Heene).
• It began as a pioneering voluntary organisation that sought to co-ordinate the existing charitable efforts in the town and alleviate the acute distressed caused by the depression of the 1930s.
• During the early days Effie Methold set up a legal aid service as well as much more, including:
  • Free dental treatment for adolescents, which was the first of its kind in the country
  • Introduced the distribution of free school milk for poorer children
  • Started a Boots Scheme to provide subsidised or free footwear for those on low incomes
  • A campaign for nursery provision in Worthing

About out inspirational founders

• Effie remained an honorary secretary of Guild Care until her untimely death in 1957 aged just 53, she was awarded an MBE in 1946.
• Frank Cave became the acting editor of the Worthing Herald in 1932 and was confirmed in post just two years later aged just 27. He remained editor until 1967 and was still active with Guild Care until his death in 1992.
• Arthur Linfield (later Sir Arthur) was inspired to undertake charitable work by the efforts of his father in helping distressed families in Worthing during the typhoid epidemic of 1893.
• E.A Haviland (Rector of Heene) first observed real poverty during his time as a vicar in Birmingham, and it was this experience that convinced him of the value of co-ordinating the activities of all local charities preventing duplication and over-lapping.