• During the 1990s our services came under increasing pressure as unemployment rose, legacy donations fell, and people began living longer.

• We opened a hostel for young people in need. Here we helped them find employment and develop everyday life skills.

• Our very successful Carers Liaison Project was launched in 1991 to meet the needs of carers in the community.

• In 1992 a new charity shop opened in Portland Road, Worthing and we were presented with a new minibus which had been funded by local people, Worthing Lions Club and Worthing Borough Council’s Lottery Committee.

• A difficult decision was made to close the Richmond Wing of Frazer Lodge and several retirement clubs closed with Ferring becoming independent.

• In 1994 our Domiciliary Care Service (Home Care) started and Home Helps undertook cleaning, shopping, laundry and collected prescriptions. A home visiting scheme was introduced with volunteers offering support and companionship to clients.

• The charity was relaunched as Guild Care in April 1995, becoming a company limited by guarantee to be able to tender for contracts from social services. The changes were designed to secure Guild Care’s future.

• In 1995 a Family Day Care Service provided support to older people in small family groups and the Breakaway Project offered respite breaks for those caring for people with dementia. The service placed specially trained carers into the homes of those needing help and soon became established as a vital local resource.

• Our 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.

• The charity was delighted when Major General Sir Philip Ward, KCVO, CBE agreed to become Guild Care’s first Patron in 1998.

• Patron Sir Philip Ward 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.

• 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 charity 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.

• Her Majesty the Queen met with CEO and staff at Durrington High Street in 1999.