Mayor’s Award 2026: Recognition for Three Care for Guildford Volunteers
Congratulations to three of our long-standing volunteers, Linda Smith (Chair), Helen Lovegrove (telephone volunteer) and Neil Smith (volunteer driver) who have been honoured with a Mayor’s Award for Service to the Community 2026.
The award recognises volunteers who selflessly give their time to strengthen and enrich the community. The annual award ceremony took place at the County Club in Guildford on 14 March, with the Mayor, Cllr Howard Smith, presenting each recipient with their award.
Linda, Helen and Neil not only volunteer for Care for Guildford but volunteer for a number of different charities and community initiatives too. They have made a meaningful impact on our local community, dedicating countless hours to volunteering over many years, and are truly deserving of this recognition.
Linda Smith said, “I am overwhelmed and appreciate receiving the Mayor’s award for service to the community I live in and care about. Congratulations to Helen and Neil for receiving recognition for the contribution they both make to the various causes they support.”
The Mayor added : “Where would our communities be without the dedication and commitment of volunteers like these? From weekly sessions to monthly groups and seasonal events these individuals work tirelessly for the good of our communities. It’s incredible to discover that many of those receiving awards this year have been actively volunteering for over 20 years, supporting organisations over many decades. I know they do not seek recognition for the work that they do, but it is clearly appreciated.”
Care for Guildford Seeks 50 New Volunteers in its 50th Year
Care for Guildford urgently needs more volunteers. Now in its 50th year, the charity is on a mission to recruit 50 new volunteers in 2026 to help meet the growing demand for its services.
The award-winning charity supports around 500 local residents – mostly the elderly – by providing transport to essential medical appointments. In the last year alone, its amazing team of volunteers provided over 3,700 lifts, helping people in our local community who have no family nearby, cannot manage public transport, and cannot afford taxis.
Can you help?
If you have a car and can spare an odd hour, weekly or monthly, to drive Guildford residents to a hospital, GP, dentist or physiotherapy appointment, please get in touch with Care for Guildford. Volunteering is flexible. No regular commitment is required – so you can help as and when it suits your schedule.
Care for Guildford is also looking for telephone volunteers who can help out for one day a month from home, taking requests for lifts from clients and matching them with available drivers.
If you live in Guildford town centre or the surrounding areas, such as Merrow, Burpham, Stoughton, , Bellfields, Park Barn, Westborough and Onslow Village, and would like to volunteer, please contact administrator@careforguildford.org.uk. Just an hour or two of your time each month will make a real difference!
Surrey-Based IT Firm Donates Four Laptops to Care for Guildford
A big thank you to Surrey-based IT company FluidOne for generously donating four HP laptops to Care for Guildford. The laptops will be used by our telephone volunteers to access the Care for Guildford database, enabling them to book lifts for clients attending essential medical appointments and to allocate jobs to our amazing volunteer drivers.
Care for Guildford Volunteer Honoured with Mayor’s Award
Congratulations to Care for Guildford volunteer, Darren Ingall for being awarded a Mayor’s Award for Services to the Community, which he was presented with on 25 April 2025 by the Mayor of Guildford, Cllr Sallie Barker MBE. He joined as a Care for Guildford volunteer two years ago, and kindly offer to drive three or four clients each week to their medical appointments.
Annual Lunch for Volunteers
Care for Guildford’s annual lunch in January was a huge success. Attended by over 60 people, this was a great opportunity to meet other volunteers and for Care for Guildford’s Chairman to thank everyone for their support.
Care for Guildford Needs More Volunteers
Care for Guildford urgently needs more volunteers to drive people – mostly the elderly – to and from essential medical appointments or help with shopping for housebound clients. Volunteering is flexible, with no regular commitment needed.
BBC Surrey Make A Difference Award
Congratulations to Zita Delaney, Care for Guildford’s longest serving volunteer and trustee, who was highly commended at the BBC Surrey and Sussex’s Make A Difference Awards. Zita was amongst five people selected from hundreds of applicants for the Volunteer category at the Make A Difference Awards.
Care for Guildford Awarded Mayor’s Award for Service to the Community
Care for Guildford is honoured to have been awarded a Mayor’s Award for Service to the Community – an award which recognises individuals, groups and organisations who have gone above and beyond to serve their local community.