‘Clare-fest’ raises £400 for families in need in Guildford

Claremont Court selected Guildford Action for Families as their chosen charity to benefit from ‘Clare-Fest’ which welcomed residents, their families and people the charity supports. The 57-bed home, which caters exclusively for people living with dementia, has dedicated its fundraising efforts throughout the year to the charity’s work in the community.

Guildford Action provides a safe refuge for people who have fallen on hard times by providing help with essentials like food, shelter and healthcare to get people back on their feet. Care home manager, Karen Byres, said: “It's great to open the home up to our local community and having people come in from outside the home is of huge benefit to our residents.

“Our residents had an unforgettable day, singing along to the band, watching the children playing and enjoying the glorious weather. Everyone who attended the festival had a fantastic time and we had lots of people eagerly asking when we would be holding another one!”

Clare-fest featured live music, outdoor activities and crafts, a bouncy castle along with henna and glitter tattoos. Mouthwatering food, including pulled pork baps, cheesy chips, and waffles served with strawberries and cream were served on the day with a variety of fundraising activities seeing the total raised reach £416.

Guildford Action CEO, Jo Tester, said: “What was so lovely about Clare-fest was that it brought all parts of the community together and it was the first time there’s been an event like it.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the team at Claremont Court and the work they do. It’s been great to be able to take clients to the home, spend time with the residents and engage in activities together.

"The partnership we have with them has been so beneficial to everyone. It’s been lovely to work with them and our values have really aligned.

“The money raised is amazing and it will enable us to keep working with people in the local community to provide a safe, non judgemental space for people who have fallen through the net."

Karen added: “It is really important to us that we play an active role in the community. Supporting such a worthy local cause and helping families in difficult times is something we are really proud to do.

“We are one big family at Claremont Court and welcoming family members into the home as well as local people helps us to create a fun and welcoming environment for our residents.

“Our lifestyles team are always looking to organise new and engaging activities and this community festival was a huge success which we hope will make a regular feature on our calendar.”