The organisations listed below are local and national charities that may be able to help individual families in need. You can also find details of organisations that can offer financial help in our Family Information Directory.
Local organisations
Guildford Lions Club will consider one off donations to organisations and small grants for domestic items to individual families in proven need within the Borough of Guildford.
The Bishop of Guildford's Communities Fund can give small grants to projects and groups working within the diocese.
The Mayor of Guildford Local Distress Fund can give grants to individuals and families who live in the borough and are experiencing financial difficulties. Most grants are in response to cases referred by an official agency such as the Citizens Advice Bureau, community health or social services.
National organisations
Caudwell Children makes donations to specific child cases of sickness, specialised medical requirements, abuse, traumatic needs and dying wishes.
Glasspool can provide small one off grants to help the beneficiary over a short term crisis. They will only accept applications from an agency such as health care, social care, Citizens Advice Bureau, prison or probation service and tenancy support workers.
Family Action can make both welfare grants, meeting a range of essential needs and educational grants, for the additional costs associated with education such as travel, books and equipment. Grants are primarily targeted at families and individuals with low incomes, particularly those living on benefits.
Family Fund is open to families with children and young people aged 17 and under who have a severe disability or serious illness. The family must have permanent legal residency in the UK and have lived there for six months.
Family Holiday Charity can provide financial assistance towards holidays for those families in real need. The family must be referred by someone who knows them in a professional capacity such as a social worker, doctor, teacher or support worker.
KidsOut helps disadvantaged and special needs children. They offer funds to help provide specially designed toys, play and special equipment such as buggies or financial assistance towards fun days out, holidays and respite breaks for both parents and children.
SSAFA offers financial support to anyone who is serving or has ever served in the Forces and their families.
The Florence Nightingale Aid in Sickness Trust can provide financial assistance for lifestyle aids to those who are ill, convalescent or disabled. All enquiries and requests must come via a doctor, social worker, occupational therapist or other charities.
The Matthew Trust is a last stop agency providing direct care. Grants are only given when all other avenues of funding are exhausted. Grants are rarely made directly to the applicant but through their representative such as a social worker, probation officer, community care worker, GP or agency worker.
The Percy Bilton Charity accept applications for grants towards furnishings and equipment (excluding office items), building or refurbishment projects from charitable organisations who assist disadvantaged youths, people with disabilities and older people. Social Workers, community psychiatric nurses and occupational therapists may apply on the behalf of individuals in financial need who have a disability or severe mental health problem, or who are over 65, for grants to purchase basic household furniture, equipment and clothing costs.
The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is not a grant giving charity but if it is within the members' means (through local fundraising or donations) they may be able to offer some financial assistance.
The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers operate a number of small trusts for the benefit of scholars, the blind, deaf, clergy widows, spinsters of the Church of England, ex-servicemen and their widows and those who served in the merchant services.
Tree of Hope is a crowd funding charity helping children and young people with a disability or illness by supporting their families to raise funds for specialist care and equipment.