I hope you enjoy reading about the wonderful news of the past few months inside. I'd like to take a moment to highlight the reality small charities are facing in today’s challenging climate. Rising costs, increasing demand for our services, and shrinking pools of funding mean that we are under more pressure than ever before. Every day, we see the urgent needs of those we serve growing, but our resources are stretched thin. Despite these obstacles, our mission remains unwavering: to ensure that no one is left behind. We empower people to recover, connect, and grow by providing personalised, community-based support that enables them to navigate challenges, move away from crisis, and towards an inclusive and purposeful life. Your ongoing support plays a crucial role in helping us sustain and expand our vital services. Together, we can continue making a meaningful difference. Thank you. Kathryn Courtenay-Evans CEO
fundraising@guideposts.org.uk 01993 893560 www.guideposts.org.uk/donate
Welcome!
Autumn Highlights
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Inside: Latest News & Updates ................................ 2-3 Supporter News .............................................. 4 Meet Sean ........................................................ 5 Looking to the Future ..................................... 6 Caring for Carers .............................................. 7
2025
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£49 provides support for an afternoon out, for someone unable to travel on their own.
Latest News
John, one of the gardeners at Dig'n'Grow day service told us why he finds nature so good for him. "Gardening is the green way of exercising, and it's a way of connecting with nature. It boosts your brain and all things like that. In the morning, we always do things like potting up or, or potting on. My favourite type of gardening is container gardening. I am disappointed because tomorrow I won't be able to come to Dig'n'Grow because of the extremely hot weather. Instead I will be at home and listen to music, and to the news. One thing I like about coming here, is getting away from bad news. When I'm getting away from the bad news, I'm happy."
Several new groups have had great beginnings over recent months. Friendship 4 All started in Oxfordshire in May, and already has a strong following of over 40 members. The group has enjoyed outings to crazy golf and St Giles' fair, and online Boogie Bingo and a crafting session. The group are relishing the chance to meet new people and developing personal relationships. In Gloucestershire two new creative groups have started. In Stroud, the Guideposts Choir is welcoming people from across our community including people living with disabilities, those living with a dementia, and their carers, The inclusive group is already finding their confidence, singing in 3-part harmony, as well as having fun! Meanwhile in Cirencester, our new Art for Wellbeing group had been tackling many different materials and inspirations, including making garden sculptures.
Enjoying the Long Hot Summer
A different kind of lovely day
How you can help
Matthew
2024-25 In Numbers
“I wouldn’t be able to do something like that on my own. The group facilitator Tammie was so friendly and brought us all together. My face hurt at the end from laughing so much!”
experienced improved health and wellbeing
How can you help?
On a typically British summers day we took 14 members of Herts Friendship 4 All on a train journey to Brighton. Martin was so excited he turned up 45 minutes early! On the train journey we pointed out the London landmarks we passed including St Pauls and The Shard, which many hadn't seen before. Once in Brighton we walked down to the seafront where many enjoyed a fish and chips lunch and luckily we managed to not feed 50% of Brighton's seagulls. The more adventurous of our party took a trip on the pier rides. Juliet who had never been on a ride before loved every minute and claimed it was the best thing she had ever done as she went round with her arms in the air. The two non-verbal service members smiled all day and enjoyed the feel of the wind on their faces. When the heavens opened we still managed to laugh and agreed it was " a different kind of lovely day"! On the journey home 5 service users asked to be put on the list for next year's return trip.
A picture of the last year's achievements through feedback from our service members.
"I had an amazing day today. When can we do it again?"
accessed meaningful activities and developed valuable skills with our support
Has the long hot summer brought you good spirits? For many of our service members it has been wonderful to have sustained warmth, and many fine days to go out and about and combat their isolation. The people we support mostly don't have much opportunity to go on holiday with their families, so these days out are important to change the scene, and enable valuable fun time with their community. Activities included sports days in the local parks, visiting lavender fields, playing mini-golf, cycling, outdoor yoga, and much more!
98%
Guideposts Spring Highlights 202
New groups abound!
82%
felt more connected and less isolated
Member view: Health in Nature
Guideposts Autumn Highlights 2025
86%
With the support of local collaborations, we are reaching further into the community and enabling more opportunities. Two of our CONNECT groups have recently partnered with their local libraries, to move into central and accessible spaces for the groups, while helping to make our dementia support more visible in the community. The business community in East Herts have been supporting our community wholeheartedly, by providing raffle prizes, decorations, costumes and more, for our parties and discos for adults with learning disabilities. The summer disco was on a seaside theme, and they certainly created a wave! Thank you to our wonderful local communities.
Community Connections
To celebrate National Children's Gardening Week, Burford Garden Centre invited us to run some fabulous crafty nature activities for children. We had lots of visitors who created miniature jam jar terrariums, tiny worlds of nature and green that they could take home. The terrariums were extra special as all the plants were grown in Dig 'n' Grow by our service users. We also had a pressed flower station where participants made their own flower bookmarks and gift tags. The day was a great success and it was lovely to see the children get inspired by nature, discovering how it helped them to find calm in a busy half term week. Thank you to our corporate supporters Burford Garden Company, for welcoming us for this crafty day!
I have been through depression loads of times throughout my life. Unfortunately I can’t take medication for it, because I can't take tablets in any form. Even the soft tablets in liquid, my body and mouth reject them. So I have to take liquid medicine. But when it comes to depression, there isn't a liquid medicine for it. So the way I deal with it is I keep it inside myself. I just take it as it comes. I can't change the way it is. I have had more bad experiences than most people. I don't mind saying I have been through a lot in my past, that people shouldn’t have to witness. Back when we had the London bombings, I was on the back of the coach on the way home from a school trip, and I looked out the back window and I saw the bus explode. On other occasions, I have seen someone fatally stab themselves in front of me, I had a friend die in my arms with a heart attack, and about 10 years ago I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and I was involved in a gang incident. So I’ve been through a lot. At the time I just tried to deal with it the best I could, because I don't like showing my emotion, I'm not good at that. When I'm out and about and around people, I show a happy face as a front because I don't want my sadness bringing someone else's mood down. So I keep everything in. At Guideposts there's people I can talk to, which helps. It is nice just being around other people who, although they haven’t been in the same situations as me, they have some understanding of how I feel. I come to groups here every weekday, including active groups like playing pool, as well as discussion groups and the rock choir. When the football group started, I just put my name down as another thing to do. I played at school and a little after that, but not for over 10 years so I thought I'd give it a try again. The football has got me out. I don't do much other activity, so it's nice to get running. I’m one of the goalkeepers for the Guideposts team. People say I’ve got a real talent for it, but I don't notice it myself. I just play for the fun. It's nice to get out with the team and be on a pitch, normally. We all have a laugh. I’m not looking for great achievement in football terms. Each week everyone's improvement is an achievement in itself. In terms of helping with my mental health, it gives me another thing to focus on.
My life experiences
From Sean's Support Worker, Dan
About Guideposts
Our incredible staff and dedicated supporters took part in an inflatable 5K fun run in spring to raise funds for Guideposts. The event was a fantastic way to raise funds while getting active and having fun too. For some people it was their first time taking on an active challenge, which was daunting. When it came to the run itself, although it was challenging, it was indeed fun, and the team spirit was tangible. Everyone took on the oversized obstacles and bouncy challenges with determination and laughter, each leap and bounce bringing us closer to our goal. Thank you to all who joined in the fun, and raised £2016.44 to make life better for the people we support.
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Fun run brings supporters and staff together to raise £2016.44
When Sean first joined Guideposts he was unsure of his place in social situations, he just tried to fit in. He lacked self-esteem and thought he didn't matter. He had a front of happiness, to an exaggerated level. He has quietened down now and his genuineness comes forward instead. Since the football team started I’ve seen even more changes in Sean. He’s a group player, and always has positive energy, which really comes to the fore on the football pitch. There is an amazing peer-bond between people in the team, and Sean is a big part of that. He is gaining social confidence, and there are signs of him realising that he has a place in the world.
"What a lovely opportunity to engage with more local families, introduce them to Guideposts while enjoying a fun and nature-based activity"
Guideposts Autumn Highlights 2023
Member Spotlight Meet Sean
How I deal with my Mental Health
The Football Team
Crafty Nature Day with Burford Garden Company
Inflatables no Obstacle for Fundraising
Support our community and give meaningful gifts for Christmas at guideposts.org.uk/shop
"If I didn’t have the support from Guideposts I'd be permanently depressed, but I wouldn’t show it on the outside. I would always keep it sealed in, to myself."
Supporter news
Gift Shop
Sean attends our Community Mental Health Hub, and has recently been a key member of the new Guideposts Football team. He spoke to us about his life and how the team helps him.
Spotlight on: Specialist Day Services
Jenny
£98 provides a 3-hour respite break for a couple like Luke and Jenny.
Answers: Two main types of dementia are Alzheimers and Vascular. Risks: 1.Social Isolation 2.Unhealthy Diet 3.Diabetes 4.Traumatic Head Injury 5.High blood Pressure 6.Obesity 7.Excessive alcohol intake 8.Hearing Loss 9.Depression 10.Low level activity 11.Stroke/TIA
Day services form a vital part of support for people with learning disabilities. They offer a range of activities to take part in through the day and can provide important one-to-one support with things like benefits, housing, and setting life goals. Guideposts was one of the pioneers of day services in the UK, and more than 50 years later our hubs are still going strong.
Supporting both family carers and their loved ones in tandem
Looking to the Future
Luke lives with vascular dementia, which was diagnosed in 2015. His wife Jenny is his sole carer. They have been using Guideposts’ Connect at Home service since 2022. Luke can only be left alone for a short time, so Jenny can easily get stuck in the house and feel isolated. She would be on duty 24/7 without the 3 hours each week when their befriender, David, takes Luke out. With Connect at Home, David visits weekly and mostly he and Luke visit somewhere in the locality while Jenny has time to herself. Luke also has other conditions including glaucoma – so he has to be very careful with steps when out and about! While Luke is with David, Jenny often goes shopping or meets up with a friend for a coffee, and sometimes she catches up with things around the house, with the space to herself and space to think. Luke is very comfortable with David, and shares things with him that he wouldn’t share with his family. He is a man he can relate to. Luke loves old buildings – he was a builder, and loves looking at architecture and how buildings are made, so they have a great time looking around towns and villages. One day they went back to Luke's childhood home, and had a lovely time reminiscing. Luke and David also go to the library, where Luke uses the IT facilities to make internet searches for canals and looks at them on their really big screen, which he loves. Every other week, they go to the Guideposts CONNECT group in Whitminster, where they take part in dementia friendly activities and are part of the community. Luke loves that he’s mostly the only man there in a group of women! Jenny says “It works really well, because we both get a break. More of the same is needed for thousands of people across the country. It makes a life more bearable, to have just a little time to yourself."
Luke and Jenny's Story
What do people get from day services?
Most of Guideposts' work impacts family carers: the people who look after their loved ones at home, with little recognition or recompense.
Team Training in Action
While we often focus on the cared-for, Guideposts services make a big difference to the carers too, whether or not they attend. Very often it walks hand-in-hand. Whether at our Carers groups in Hertfordshire which support carers of those living with mental health conditions, or at CONNECT groups welcoming cared-for and carers together in dementia friendly activities, the opportunity to give tailored support is a big part of our work.
Increased risks for people living with a dementia: 1. So – i– l Is – l – t – on 2. U – he – lt – y D – – t 3. D – a – e – es 4. Tr – u – a – ic H – a – In – u – y 5. H – g – B – oo – Pr – s – u – e 6. O – es – t – 7. Ex – e – s – v – Al – oh – – In – a – e 8. He – – i – g L – – s 9. De – re – – io – 10. Lo – Le – e – A – t – v – t – 11. S – r – k – / T – A
"
While many people with learning disabilities live relatively independently and have jobs, many do not, and their needs range enormously from constant one-to-one care, to light care but a need to find more fulfillment than sitting alone watching TV daily. While other forms of care, such as personal assistants, are an option, not mixing with others in a social group can leave people isolated. People with a learning disability are seven times more likely than their non-disabled peers to be lonely and it is a significant driver of poor wellbeing and mental health. Lacking a sense of occupation and purpose can also cause serious problems for people, and day services combat this. They work on building ability and confidence in each individual. This includes developing practical skills, as well as literacy, numeracy, and memory with quizzes and fun activities. One of the most significant benefits of attending a day centre is the ability to make friends in a safe environment. Making new friends can be a daunting prospect, but in day services people with disabilities meet others through shared activities, and can be supported by staff to develop their confidence and social skills. Guideposts currently provides four day services for people with Learning Disabilities, providing a wide range of activities that support life skills as well as social life and daily enjoyment. Art and crafts, gardening, woodwork, and cookery all feature regularly. Outings and day trips are also a big part of our activities. While a paid carer or assistant can take a person on trips, many people with disabilities say they would rather go with friends. Team leader at Guideposts’ Community Hub in Stroud, Rob, says: “Residential homes are focused on making sure people are safe and healthy. They can feed people, manage medication and appointments and keep that person safe, but they don’t always have the capacity to provide activities that help brighten up life. We have the whole day to speak with each person, work out what they want, and then come up with a plan to make that happen. We don’t need to take people to appointments, or do chores. All our time is focused on enriching that individual’s life.”
A donation of £85 could pay to take a group of 5 people with learning disabilities swimming.
What values do I want to pass on?
Advanced Care Planning with ReSPECT
Why make a will?
Caring for Carers
Building on the vital importance of community inclusion, participation and connections to improve the lives of those we support.
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What about Guideposts?
Quiz Time!
People often come to Guideposts when they don’t know where else to turn. They may have experienced a crisis, or recently stepped down from health or social services support. We do our best to help them look ahead with hope - and avoid needing crisis support again. For those living with dementia, we recognise that care needs are likely to increase over time. That’s why we gently, but clearly, introduce questions that are helpful to consider before the need becomes urgent. Recently, many of our staff completed training in a new process being rolled out across the UK: ReSPECT (Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment). This approach helps shape emergency care recommendations based on what truly matters to the individual, and what is realistic within available services. Our teams are now introducing ReSPECT in CONNECT groups, where it naturally follows conversations about personal values, fears, and long-term goals. Alongside regular sessions on Advance Care Planning, Legal Power of Attorney, and Wills, we aim to make these often difficult subjects as approachable and empowering as possible. The response we receive is that it genuinely offers peace of mind. One group member recently commented that just starting the conversation already feels like a relief.
"My future went sky-high when I found this place. I have made the best friends I ever had. I am happy, and I'm strong.
Two main types of dementia: are Al – h – i – e – r – and – a – c – l – r.
Test your knowledge about dementia. Can you fill in the missing blanks?
"A few hours respite gives me some freedom."
Helping people with learning disabilities feel purpose in their daily life
You may think that making a will is all about deciding who will receive your belongings when the time comes. but there is much more to it. In setting out your wishes you are showing what you care about, your values, and hopes for the future. You are also helping your loved ones avoid the added distress, delays and costs that come without a will, Planning for the future isn’t just about what we leave behind—it’s about the love, values, and impact we carry forward. If you would like more information about how to make a will, or about ReSPECT processes, please visit our website or call 01993 899 983.
For information on how to get involved - whether you want to donate, volunteer, fundraise, or support us at work, get in touch!
Supporting 1077 people over the last year
Without Guideposts my mental health would be in a completely worse state. I believe Guideposts has kept me alive when my times were at their darkest.
With an increase in confidence from talking to Guideposts I am now able to catch the bus.
Why does your support count?
Our mission is to make sure no-one with mental health challenges, learning disabilities or dementia is left behind.
We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you.
guideposts.org.uk/get-involved fundraising@guideposts.org.uk 01993 893560
Guideposts Autumn Highlights 2022
Guideposts Trust Limited Registered in England No 12823661 Registered Charity No 272619 Guideposts Trust was established in 1972 and relies upon voluntary and financial support for its work. General Enquiries: 01993 893560 | Email: info@guideposts.org.uk | www.guideposts.org.uk
Before I was more isolated and stuck in my room, I was entombed in my flat. Now I have come out of my shell, talking and socialising with people and doing activities. I feel I can say my inner thoughts and everything.