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Assistance is available from the Wimbledon Guild. The charity organisation provides a number of free services to families or individuals with a local connection and that are on a low income. The main programme available is their small grants, and money can be used for living expenses include food, clothing, and for housing needs, such as repairs or rent.

Volunteers from the guild are helping an increasing number of families in the area, and the demand for their services has increased. People have had a reduction in their benefits or welfare payments, and many individuals in Merton are having difficulty in finding employment. The Wimbledon Guild will support needy families, the homeless, and those living in poverty, and the main programmes are below.

Types of assistance from the Wimbledon Guild

Food, clothing, and furniture is provided, including from the charity shop. Not only may the guild have these items, but the charity will also refer clients to food banks in Merton and other places for help. Also, the free furniture recycling project can give families the household items they need for their new home, and can be combined with a grant for the deposit on the home.

Grants can be applied for, but the amount provided will be small, usually from £50 to £200. The money can be used for living expenses with an aim on preventing homelessness and hunger. So clients can use the funds for a deposit payment on a new home, or maybe food or a hot meal. Other funds can pay for home repairs, white goods, or in some cases a gas bill in arrears. Any assistance from the Small Grants Programme will also come with counselling, as the cause of the hardship is addressed.

Any type of grants are a last resort, and applicants need to have applied to other schemes or charities first. Only after they have exhausted those resources will the Wimbledon Guild maybe help them. A Wimbledon Guild specialist will review each application, and for people that are refused, they will get referrals to other schemes that could help them with their rental deposits or bills that they need assistance with. Or find more information on grants for paying bills.

The Guild Charity Shop sells second hand items to people across Merton. The items will be good quality, and the shop may have clothing, furniture, videos, toys, and more. Anyone can shop their, or please donate goods to the shop.

People over 50 from Merton can get help from workshops and classes held by the Wimbledon Guild. Volunteers will visit individuals in their home and bring them food or a meal, and they also hold activities at their main office. The elderly can also get referrals to schemes that can help them with obtaining affordable housing and that also assist with deposits on the property. The main service that does this is the Ageing Well Programme.

Outreach is provided at the Day Centre, and advice is for individuals that are unemployed or facing a financial emergency. This is also combined with counselling.

Advice is available from staff. A combination of volunteers and professional care workers provide free and independent on advice on everything from addressing rent and debt arrears to applying for government benefits, including housing.

Wimbledon Guild partners with dozens of other charities, support worker and churches in Merton to provide services and also find clients. The groups will coordinate resources across the borough in an effort to help the poor and vulnerable. Another key service is on fund raising, and this is another reason that the partnerships occur from the charity. The main office is at 9-11 Upper Green East, Mitcham, CR4 2PE. For an appointment, dial 020 8946 0735.