Teaming up for incredible causes
Supporting local charities that matter to our communities
These seven projects will receive a share of the money raised by The Mistletoe Ball.
The Canterbury Care Centre (opens new window)
This drop-in centre provides support for:
- those feeling lonely, isolated, anxious or depressed, and
- wanting to stay in good mental health.
With the funds, the centre will buy sewing machines and materials to offer skill-building activities that:
- create saleable goods to raise extra money
- give individuals a sense of purpose and community.
Guildford Action (opens new window)
The Family Support Service supports isolated families with complex needs, often caused by poverty and domestic abuse. The funding will support:
- family community groups
- children's out of school activities, and
- emergency help.
This support provides a lifeline for those struggling with family life.
Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy (opens new window)
Volunteer chaplains provide pastoral and emotional support to those facing:
- anxiety
- loss, or
- stress.
The chaplaincy wants to employ a part-time project coordinator to expand its vital services in the town centre.
Home-Start Guildford (opens new window)
Helping parents with children under five facing issues like:
- isolation
- mental health challenges, and
- domestic abuse,
This charity will use the funds to train and support volunteers who work directly with families in need.
Reskilled (opens new window)
Focusing on empowering adults over 25 who have been unemployed for over a year, Reskilled helps individuals:
- regain confidence
- develop work skills that can lead to sustainable employment, using a woodwork workshop.
Sensory Service By Sight for Surrey (opens new window)
Supporting individuals who are:
- deaf
- hard of hearing
- blind
- partially sighted or
- deafblind
This charity will use the funds to
- train staff and
- provide access to assistive technology and AI, making everyday tasks more manageable.
The Lighthouse Christmas Kindness Guildford project (opens new window)
It plans to brighten Christmas for families who may otherwise struggle to buy gifts. The project will
- distribute over 300 gift cards and care packages with winter essentials
- help families provide Christmas presents for their children.
The Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Sallie Barker MBE, said:
I'm really humbled by the amazing work these organisations are doing in our communities. We sometimes forget the impact of social isolation, particularly over the festive period. I'm proud to be raising awareness of these projects that are helping us create a more inclusive borough. The money we raise from The Mistletoe Ball will make a huge difference to these good causes and the people they support."
Chairman of Guildford Philanthropy, Peter Cluff said:
"Guildford Philanthropy has been making grants to local organisations, charities, and groups for a decade. We're proud to have given £401,000 in grants to 9,367 beneficiaries locally since 2014.
"The Mistletoe Ball celebrates 10 years of giving and launches the next ten years of supporting local good causes."
About the Mistletoe Ball
- sparkling wine reception, live entertainment, dancing the night away with a fantastic party band
- Date: Thursday 12 December
- Time: 7pm to 1am
- Venue: G Live, London Road, Guildford, GU1 2AA
- sponsored by Martin Grant Homes