Drop in Centre
Guildford Action Drop-in Centre
Funded and Supported by the Guildford and Waverley Voluntary Grants Panel
Telephone: 01483 533942
Email: dropin@guildfordaction.org.uk
Click Here to view/ print a copy of The Guildford Action Flyer
Who are we?
The Guildford Action Drop-in Centre is an open door drop-in service for those in the Guildford Borough who are on a low income or in need.
Where to find us?
We are based at The Community Centre, 3 Leapale Lane, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4LY. The Telephone Number is 01483 533942. The Centre is open from 10am till 4pm Monday to Friday.
Our aim
We are committed to providing an equality of opportunity for all our clients within a safe environment and aim to reach those who are most excluded from our society, often acting as a safety net when statutory organisations are unable to meet their needs. Objectives include;
- Empowerment of clients
- Social inclusion
- Promoting self-esteem
- Better health and independence
- Sign-posting to other more specialist agencies
- Advocacy, support and understanding
- Protecting vulnerable groups and making communities safer
What we do
The Day Centre offers a safe environment and acceptance; a link between street life and loneliness and a better future. It can, for some, provide a bridge to “normalisation”. We see on average 70 people per day, many of whom are isolated, homeless, have a substance misuse issue as well as mental health problems. We start the day by offering free tea, coffee, hot chocolate and biscuits outside St Saviour’s church each weekday morning between 8.00 and 9.30 am. At the Day Centre we provide hot meals (at cost), showers, laundry facilities, primary health services (GP, District Nurses and chiropody), alternative health therapy (Reiki), and activities such as pool, 5-a-side football, badminton. We also provide access to free counselling, advice and support. The Centre maintains strong links with local providers of more specialist services, relevant to our clients’ welfare. We are seen as a good point of contact as well as an impartial meeting place. For many service users, the Day Centre is the only place they can afford to go to socialise and the only place they feel confident enough to try and make changes to their lives.
Who we Support
We were originally set up to meet the needs of the unemployed and rough sleepers but over time have broadened to include families, homeless people and those with mental health issues.
The Front Line Team
- Helen Rudkin- Drop-in Centre Manager
- Carol Simpson- Cook
- Margaret Shepherd- Kitchen Assistant
- Billy McDowall- Project Worker
How to refer
We don’t take formal referrals as we operate a non-judgemental, open door policy. We interact with all the relevant agencies acting as a signposting resource within Guildford to those specialising with a wide range of issues including substance misuse, crime, and mental health.
