THE MEETING ROOM
Our Charity
Graham Peddie MBE (1938-2021)
It is with heavy hearts that we let all our friends and supporters know of the death of Graham Peddie MBE, our founder, leader, friend, guide and inspiration.
Graham, 82, passed away peacefully in hospital on Thursday May 6th with his beloved wife Maureen at his side, after a brave battle with declining health. A totally selfless and endlessly generous man, he remained actively involved in supporting his beloved clients right up until the end.
Graham will be hugely missed by all of us and will leave a gaping hole in the hearts of those who knew him, and whose lives were changed by him The trustees and staff of The Meeting Room will ensure that his legacy – to include and support anyone from our community who is lonely, lost or suffering, without judgement and with kindness and consistency – will live on.
In recognition of Graham's life of service to our community, Maureen Peddie has asked us to include this link to Just Giving and any donations received will be spit between a number of different charities and organisations with which Graham was involved. Your generosity is most appreciated.
The Meeting Room
We run daytime drop-in centres for homeless, socially isolated and vulnerable people living within our community.
We offer them a warm, safe and friendly environment where they are made to feel welcome and have a chance to eat, relax and socialise. A hot nourishing mid-day meal sustains the body, while talking, playing games and other activities help to break through isolation. By listening to clients and gaining their trust, we try to help them by signposting them to agencies or professional bodies for help.
We intervene to prevent homelessness or support people in other ways relevant to their needs. Results don't always happen overnight, or sometimes at all, but out goal is to continue being there to offer support and friendship.
Drop In Centres
Everyone is welcome to come along to our drop-in centres. You don't need a formal referral. A hot and nutritious meal is provided free of charge to everyone who attends. Our experienced volunteers are there to chat and may be able to help you with any problems you may have.
Social Activities
We regularly arrange outings and social events for the people who attend the drop-in centres. Day trips will be to local places of interest such as Brighton, Chichester and Windsor. Outings will be hosted by our regular volunteers.
Fetcham Christmas
Each year we organise a traditional Christmas Day at Fetcham Village Hall. Graham Peddie has been organising this for over 15 years and, supported by our wonderful volunteers we are able to welcome over 80 isolated people. If you are interested in attending or volunteering please contact us.
Our drop-in centres operate each week at the following venues:
Monday:
Leatherhead Football Club, Guildford Road, Leatherhead, KT22 9AS
11:00 - 14:00
Tuesday:
Ashtead Baptist Church, 192 Barnett Wood Lane, Ashtead, KT21 2LW
12:30- 15:30
Wednesday:
St Barnabas Church, Temple Road, Epsom, KT19 8HA
11:30 - 14:00
Thursday:
Ashtead Baptist Church, 192 Barnett Wood Lane, Ashtead, KT21 2LW
11:30 - 14:30
Thursday:
The Kings Church, Gibraltar Cres, off Longmead Road, Epsom, KT19 9BU
11:00 - 14:00
Friday:
Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Lower Road, Effingham, Leatherhead, KT24 5JP
11:00 - 14:00
How You Can Help...
Volunteer Opportunities
No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted
The Meeting Room relies heavily on the support of our volunteers. Volunteers help us run the drop-in centres, provide support through cooking and also share their skills and crafts with those who attend. Please contact us if you would like to find out more, by clicking the link below.
Financial Support
Helping Others
Although we keep costs to a minimum we do need financial support to cover rent, food costs, mini bus hire for outings and ad hoc costs to support our clients. If you are able to offer financial support to The Meeting Room, either as a regular direct debit or one off donation, then please click the button below to be taken to our donation site.
Christmas
Christmas Day and Preparations
To run the Fetcham Christmas, we need support with food, gifts for clients and Christmas entertainment. We also need a team of volunteers to prepare and serve food, as well as serving refreshments and chatting to those who attend. If you would like to help out, don't hesitate to contact us.
"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." Oscar Wilde
The aim of the Meeting Room is to try and help its clients see the stars - Volunteer Comment.
