Surrey Volunteers Honoured: Support Vital Guildford Charities
Celebrating Our Local Heroes in Guildford and Beyond
As Volunteers' Week gets underway, communities across Surrey are coming together to celebrate the extraordinary individuals who selflessly dedicate their time to local causes. At the heart of this celebration is the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, an invaluable local institution operating vital care services across Guildford, Camberley, and Farnham. Our local hospice relies heavily on a dedicated army of volunteers who support every department, serving as counsellors, complementary therapists, and trustees. Julia Morpeth, the charity's Voluntary Services Manager, praised these local heroes for bringing a wealth of skill, knowledge, and kindness to their roles. For patients and families navigating some of life’s most challenging moments, these volunteers provide a comforting, familiar presence. This week highlights how essential informal and formal volunteering is to the health of our towns. Whether it is offering a listening ear in Guildford or helping out behind the scenes, these contributors ensure our local healthcare support remains strong, compassionate, and deeply rooted in the community.
Hands-On Help and the Power of Trade Volunteers
Volunteering in Surrey isn’t limited to office work or fundraising; it often involves practical, hands-on contributions that transform local spaces. In our neighbourhoods, from the bustling centre of Guildford to the quieter leafy lanes of East Horsley, local businesses and skilled tradespeople are increasingly finding ways to offer practical support. For instance, when community facilities or hospice spaces require updating, it is often our local tradespeople who step up to help. Professional bathroom fitters have been known to donate their valuable time to assist with a much-needed bathroom refurbishment at local day centres, ensuring facilities are safe, accessible, and modern for those with limited mobility. This practical generosity saves local charities thousands of pounds in maintenance costs, proving that everyone has a unique skill to offer. Whether you are a professional trade specialist providing physical renovations or a resident offering administrative help, these combined efforts keep our community infrastructure alive. It shows that the spirit of giving back in Surrey extends to every industry and profession.
Driving Change: How You Can Support FareShare and Beyond
Beyond healthcare facilities, our local food distribution networks are also facing unprecedented demand and urgently need our help. Voluntary Action South West Surrey has issued a pressing appeal for volunteer drivers and assistants to support FareShare Sussex & Surrey. Operating across our region, this vital charity rescues surplus food that would otherwise go to waste—enough to secure 120,000 meals every single week—and delivers it directly to schools, food banks, and charities. With rising fuel and living costs, more local families than ever are relying on this crucial network. By volunteering just a few hours a week, you can become the “friendly face” that delivers hope and nutrition to those in need. Local residents can easily get involved by contacting Voluntary Action South West Surrey or signing up online. Whether you can drive a delivery van or assist with packing, your contribution will have an immediate, tangible impact on vulnerable lives right here on our doorstep. Let's show the strength of our community spirit this Volunteers' Week.
Source: Surrey hospice thanks supporters during Volunteers' Week
