Guild Care: proposed sale of Methold House is welcomed

Together, Methold House, in North Street, Worthing, and neighbouring Holland House provide a base for a wide range of Guild Care services, supporting older people, people living with dementia, carers, and children and adults with learning disabilities.

Guild Care said the proposed purchase would provide long-term certainty for its Community Campus vision, creating a permanent home for community wellbeing, support and connection, while enabling the charity to continue investing in services that help local people live independent, connected and fulfilling lives.

Chief executive Warren Fabes said: “Creating a permanent Community Campus has been an ambition of ours for some time and we are delighted to be moving a step closer to making that vision a reality.

“The progress we have made would not have been possible without the exceptional generosity of Mike Holland, whose transformational support enabled us to acquire and refurbish Holland House. Securing Methold House will build on that and help create a permanent home for community wellbeing and support in the heart of Worthing.

“The campus is already home to a wide range of services that support local people at different stages of their lives. Ownership will give us greater confidence to invest in the site, develop our services and respond to the growing needs of our community.

“Most importantly, this is about ensuring local people continue to have access to high-quality support close to home for many years to come.”

Guild Care currently supports more than 3,000 local people each year through a diverse range of services and activities designed to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing and help people remain independent.

The proposed purchase aligns closely with Guild Care’s recently launched five-year strategy, which focuses on strengthening communities, responding to changing needs and ensuring the charity remains sustainable for future generations.

Worthing Borough Councillors have approved the sale, which is still subject to contract. Funds from it could be used by the council to reduce borrowing or reinvest in core services or strategic projects that benefit the community.

Councillor Caroline Baxter, the leader of Worthing Borough Council, said: “As well as being one of Worthing’s largest employers, every year Guild Care supports over 3,000 local people through a diverse range of community support and care services.

“The development of a dedicated site for community wellbeing at Methold House and Holland House will enable the charity to help thousands more Worthing residents in years to come.”

For more information about the charity and the services it provides, visit www.guildcare.org