Guildford Comes Together for the People’s Emergency Briefing

On Friday evening, more than 150 people gathered at Holy Trinity Church in Guildford for a screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing, creating an inspiring evening of learning, discussion and community action.

Hosted by Clare Marren, Curate at Holy Trinity Church, the event brought together residents, charities, community groups and organisations from across Guildford and Surrey, united by a shared desire to create positive change in their communities.

The screening was organised by Zero Carbon Guildford and Surrey Wildlife Trust, with opening remarks from Olivia of Zero Carbon Guildford and James Herd of Surrey Wildlife Trust. The evening provided an opportunity for attendees to engage with the briefing's key messages while discovering the many ways local action is already making a difference.

Following the screening, attendees took part in small-group discussions, reflecting on the film, sharing their reactions and exploring how the issues raised connected to their own lives and communities. The conversations were thoughtful and honest, prompting discussion about both the challenges highlighted in the briefing and the opportunities for positive action.

The evening concluded with a Q&A session, where attendees were able to explore some of the thoughts and feelings that had emerged during the film and continue the conversation together.

While there were many different perspectives in the room, one message came through particularly strongly: people wanted more people to see the briefing. Many attendees felt the film offered a clear and compelling overview of the challenges we face, while highlighting the importance of collective action and community engagement. There was a strong sense that the conversation should not end with those in the room, but continue across Guildford and beyond.

One of the highlights of the evening was seeing so many local organisations represented, demonstrating the breadth of community-led action already taking place across our area. Representatives attended from Repair Café Guildford, Surrey Community Energy, Zero Carbon Guildford, Guildford Library of Things, River Wey Trust, Surrey Wildlife Trust, B Local Surrey, the Diocese Net Zero Team, Friends of Pewley Meadows, Greenpeace Surrey and Guildford Seed Bank.

Their presence showcased the wide range of projects helping to create a healthier, more resilient community - from repairing and reusing items, generating community-owned renewable energy and restoring nature, to improving river health, reducing waste and supporting residents to live more sustainably.

We were also delighted that Guildford's MP, Zöe Franklin, has signed the Parliamentary Call for a Televised Emergency Briefing. This growing movement is calling for clear, evidence-based public information to help people better understand the challenges we face and the opportunities available to create a healthier, fairer and more resilient future.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success. The atmosphere throughout was one of hope, collaboration and determination, demonstrating what is possible when communities come together around a shared purpose.

Upcoming People’s Emergency Briefing Screenings in Surrey

If you missed the Guildford screening, there are still plenty of opportunities to watch the People’s Emergency Briefing locally and join the conversation.

12 June, 7:30pm - Godalming Borough Hall, Godalming (hosted by Godalming Emergency Briefing)

18 June, 7:00pm - Elmslie Hall, George Abbot School, Guildford (hosted by George Abbot PTA)

19 June, 7:00pm - Heatherside Community Centre, Camberley (hosted by Surrey Heath Climate and Nature Group)

26 June, 7:30pm - Wilfred Noyce Centre, Godalming (hosted by Godalming Emergency Briefing)

7 July, 7:30pm - Church Gate House, Cobham (hosted by St Andrew's Cobham)

8 July, 5:30pm - Dukes Court, Woking (hosted by Surrey Chambers of Commerce)

15th July 7.00pm - St Mary's Church, West Horsley

The Guildford event demonstrated the value of coming together to watch the briefing, discuss its messages and explore what positive action looks like in our local communities. If you haven't yet seen the film, we encourage you to attend one of the upcoming screenings, visit the People's Emergency Briefing website to find an event near you, or learn how to host your own screening.

Find a Screening Near You