To organise a giveaway of donated warm winter clothes to those in need and to help build partnerships with Voluntary Action South West Surrey and Network Rail and SWR at Guildford station
We asked Network Rail for the use of an empty shop unit at the front of Guildford station to hold a Winter Warmer event. We had help and support from Lucy Lomax at Hampshire CRP and the model of the successful Reading station Winter Warmer. This was a much smaller shop unit and we made contacts with groups in Guildford, including support from VASWS and ZERO Guildford, which was invaluable. The project was delivered over 2 days, with donations being collected on the first day and the coats and other clothes were given away on day 2. Network Rail and SWR were very helpful at all times.
The project was very successful in building partnerships; over 200 coats were donated and given away. Even the ones left over went to a local homeless refuge. The response from visitors to the shop, the volunteers and station staff was very positive.
It really felt like giving something back
Thank you so so much