The Countess of Wessex Visits Two Leading Surrey Charities

Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex visited two Surrey based adult disability charities on Tuesday 2^nd November in order to thank them for their hard work and outstanding services during the pandemic. Godalming High Street’s ‘Changing Perceptions’ (a social enterprise from the specialist epilepsy and disability care home The Meath Epilepsy Charity) and the Guildford based day service for young people with learning disabilities ‘the halow project’ were thrilled to welcome The Countess.

Changing Perceptions offers adults who are supported by The Meath Epilepsy Charity meaningful and enjoyable sessions in up-cycling furniture and creating homeware, in a sociable and commercial environment. The people supported by The Meath live with complex epilepsy and disabilities and they gain a great sense of pride, purpose and belonging through their work at Changing Perceptions and at The Meath’s dedicated Skills Centre.

All at Changing Perceptions and The Meath are thrilled that Her Royal Highness was able to meet some of the inspirational people they support and to experience their winning combination of social purpose, inclusivity, and environmental sustainability.

Changing Perceptions on Godalming’s High Street, offers an inclusive and friendly cafe, where customers can stop to chat to the group in the adjoining workshop while browsing the range of quirky up-cycled furniture and homeware. This very special visit enabled The Countess to meet with some of the people who are supported by The Meath at Changing Perceptions, support staff and volunteers. Having met with the team and rolled up her sleeves to join in with a furniture upcycling session with a group of Meath residents, The Countess helped to serve a delicious home-made lunch to residents, family members, staff and volunteers.

Lindsay Perryman, CEO commented “We are honoured that Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex was able to join us and are extremely grateful to her for her warmth and genuine interest in the work of the charity. We would be honoured to welcome The Countess to our main site at The Meath in the future so that she can see our residential services and other fantastic day services in action”.