20th July

Guild Care has been awarded a massive £440,000 of National Lottery funding from the Big Lottery Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.

The funding will re-develop part of the charity’s headquarters to deliver new vital community lifeline services which will reduce loneliness and social isolation for people in Worthing and surrounding areas.

The conversion of the annexe at Methold House will include a safe place for people living with mental health needs to go when they need to speak to someone, an additional older people's day service for older people with learning difficulties (GOLD) and, working in partnership with Coastal West Sussex MIND, some wellbeing sessions for older people who have mental health needs.

It is hoped that the new centre will be open for customers by the spring/summer of 2019.

Guild Care Chief Executive Officer, Suzanne Millard, was delighted to announce the funding today which has been raised by people playing the National Lottery and will be directly reinvested into our local communities.

She said: “This is wonderful news and secures delivery of new much needed vital services. Social isolation and loneliness are recognised as a growing problem within our communities and there is a clear demand to expand our services to meet that identified need. Working in partnership with Coastal West Sussex Mind, we have the opportunity to jointly deliver mental health services for people of all ages and to raise awareness and help to reduce stigma.”

This exciting announcement comes 15 years after Guild Care’s Healthy Living Centre (HLC) which is also based at Methold House was opened thanks to a £899k National Lottery grant.

Suzanne added: “It’s brilliant to see that 15 years on, the HLC is continuing to thrive and haswaiting lists. As a result of this success we would like to expand this service and the funding will help us develop our annexe building which was, until recently, the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) ‘meals on wheels’ kitchen and is now only being used for storage.”

The success of the HLC means Guild Care has helped over 30,000 individuals and their families and carers over the last 15 years. Opportunities have been provided for health related learning, relaxation, exercise, counselling, advocacy, information, screening and therapy at the Centre.

Jean use uses Guild Care community day services said: “I feel at the darkest time in my life, someone has thrown me a lifeline. Life is worth living, Guild Care really cares about what happens to me and I am so thankful and grateful.”

Coastal West Sussex Mind's chief executive Katie Glover said: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to work in partnership with Guild Care and look forward to bringing much-needed mental health support to people in Worthing town centre."

Mary D'Arcy, Director for Communities at Adur & Worthing Councils, said: "Guild Care is a valued partner that plays a key role in supporting many people across our communities. It’s great news the charity has secured this extra money which will allow them to expand their care services. We look forward to continue working with Guild Care and supporting them to support our communities."

James Harcourt, Director of Grant-making at the Big Lottery Fund, said: “It’s brilliant to see the difference Guild Care has made using money raised by National Lottery players, from helping to set the Healthy Living Centre up 15 years ago to now supporting its expansion. It’s an inspiration to others, showing what great things can be achieved when people work together to tackle the things that really matter to their community.

Picture caption: L to R - Antonia Hopkins, Guild Care Deputy Chair of Trustees, Suzanne Millard, Guild Care Chief Executive Officer, Katie Glover, Chief Executive of Coastal West Sussex Mind and Mary D’Arcy, Director of Communities at Adur and Worthing councils.

About the Big Lottery Fund

Big Lottery Fund uses money raised by National Lottery players to help communities achieve their ambitions. From small, local projects to UK-wide initiatives, its funding brings people together to make a difference to their health, wellbeing and environment. Since June 2004 it has awarded £8.5 billion to projects that improve the lives of millions of people.