Carers Support (Guildford) has provided support to carers living within the borough for the past 19 years. Sadly, the charity is closing following the granting of a significant contract it held to a Surrey-wide carers’ support organisation, which has left the charity with some generous donations for use specifically for the wellbeing of carers. In order to maintain on-going support to those who provide care to some of the borough’s most vulnerable residents, the charity has donated £55,000 to Guildford Philanthropy, a collaborative partnership set up in 2013 between Guildford Borough Council and the Community Foundation for Surrey.

Guildford Borough Council has matched this donation at a rate of 50% of the total to create a ring-fenced fund of £82,500. This money will be available to offer small grants to provide relief to carers throughout the borough. £5,000 is available immediately for grants to carers over the next year, with the remainder being transferred to the Guildford Philanthropy endowment fund to continue supporting carers in perpetuity. A specifically created panel, including former trustees and staff of Carers Support (Guildford), representatives from the Council and the Community Foundation for Surrey, will administer this newly created funding source. The criteria and application process for the making of grants is currently being formulated. However, it is intended that recognised organisations will be encouraged to make applications for grants on behalf of those most in need of support.

Cllr Paul Spooner, Council Leader said: “We are delighted that we have been able to support Carers Support (Guildford) in its efforts to continue to provide support to carers following the loss of its contract and the news of its closure. Although this change will result in the Guildford Philanthropy fund’s aims being extended, to include support for carers, we will maintain a strong focus on building the endowment fund to meet its original purpose. This change however provides another opportunity for Guildford Philanthropy to help support some of our most vulnerable residents.”

Cllr Spooner added: “We believe that this collaborative approach between everyone involved provides the most effective way of supporting the borough’s carers. Guildford Borough Council’s 50% match-funding will be met from within existing budget provision.”

David Perry, Chair of Trustees of Carers Support (Guildford), said: “We looked very carefully at our options to ensure that donations continued to be used for their original purpose. We are delighted that Guildford Philanthropy has agreed to widen its aims to allow support to the borough’s carers to continue and that the Community Foundation for Surrey will manage the investment on our behalf.”

Published on Tuesday 2 May.