Guildford

Beginning as a cross-church initiative in 2002, Guildford Besom serves members and groups from churches in Guildford, Godalming, Farnham, Ash and the villages around Guildford.

To most of us Guildford may seem like an affluent town but there are many who are vulnerable and in need through situations such as isolation, poverty, ill health, homelessness and domestic violence.

Guildford Besom enables people to make a difference through practical work such as gardening, decorating, or DIY and through giving good quality items, such as furniture, white goods, clothes, kitchen equipment and other household items.

The Guildford Besom Van goes out every Thursday picking up and delivering good quality items. There are also monthly van runs on a Saturday. In recent months items that have been given include clothes, wardrobes, beds, bedding, washing machines, cookers, fridges, freezers, cuddly toys, TVs, dining tables, microwaves, sofas and starter packs consisting of crockery, cutlery, kettles, and toasters.

Groups of people also get involved in decorating and gardening for the elderly, disabled and single parent families. Homes and gardens have been transformed in a day making a tangible difference to the quality of people's lives.

At Christmas time, hampers are prepared and delivered to homes that have been helped over the year.
Guildford Besom is in touch with over 30 social workers, health visitors and community workers who provide the referrals for those in need.

How you can be involved

There are many ways to get involved through:
· Giving good quality things (new or nearly new)
· Decorating, cleaning or gardening as a group (just tell us what you would like to do, how many you are and we will arrange a project for you).
· Helping on the van collections and deliveries each Thursday or monthly on a Saturday
· Sorting, washing and ironing clothes
· Sorting toys and household items
· Offering DIY skills
· Helping with the operations of Guildford Besom to plan and prepare activities.
We’d love to hear from you. Please call Guildford Besom on 07929 037101 or email us at info@guildfordbesom.com.

"The Besom Projects are fantastic opportunities to give and to receive! You get the chance to meet some great people, whom you normally wouldn't get to meet. You can spend a day with your friends, doing really rewarding, practical work that improves people's houses whilst having a lot of fun! These projects have a great impact on the lives of those you're helping - you're transforming their living space. It can also be really humbling - the people you're helping often are overwhelmed by what you've done for them. Doing a Besom project is an excellent way to express your Christian faith - you make a real, tangible difference that will be remembered for a long time."

Time Giver

"It is such a joy to see peoples' lives being touched by the things or the help they receive from Besom. Being able to offer people good quality items gives them dignity and worth. Often the company of a group and the love shown are appreciated as much as the material things. Recently, someone said to me 'I'm just grateful that someone even thought of me'."

Core Team Member

Guildford

How you can be involved

Ways to give

Annual Conference