27 Feb guildford.games Festival Supports Mental Health with Almost £10,000 Raised for Oakleaf
Guildford, UK – 25th February 2026 – Oakleaf Enterprise and guildford.games are delighted to announce an incredible £9893.60 was raised at this year’s festival through ticket sales, a raffle, and generous donations at the Awards Ceremony.
The funds will directly support Oakleaf’s mental health and wellbeing services across Surrey, from work-related training and wellbeing activities to employment support and counselling. Specifically, a sum of £10,000 could fund around four months of counselling delivered by fully qualified, BACP-registered counsellors for clients facing more complex mental health challenges – providing safe, specialist support when it matters most.
The 2026 festival was the largest yet, selling out and welcoming more speakers, exhibitors, and students than ever before. The programme featured talks, panels, and hands-on sessions at G Live and the Harbour Hotel, bringing together both long-standing community members and newcomers, all united by creativity, collaboration, and a shared commitment to wellbeing.
Chris Crooker, Partnership & Fundraising Manager at Oakleaf, said:
“The festival was an incredible day full of energy, connection, and generosity. Seeing so many people come together to support Oakleaf was truly inspiring. Every contribution makes a real difference, helping us provide vital mental health services across Surrey. It’s amazing to witness a community not only celebrating creativity in games but also caring for each other in such a meaningful way.”
Lauran Carter, Comms Director at Liquid Crimson and co-organiser of guildford.games, added:
“We’re beyond proud to have raised £9,893.60 for Oakleaf through ticket sales at the guildford.games festival and the raffle at our awards – with prizes not donated just by Guildford studios, but by friends and partners from across the wider games industry who wanted to support the cause.
Guildford has always had a rebel spirit when it comes to games – we make bold, creative work – but what really sets this community apart is how fiercely it looks after its own. We hope this contribution helps Oakleaf continue their vital work and makes a meaningful difference to people who need that support most. This is exactly what guildford.games is about.”
Oakleaf also presented the Outstanding Studio Culture Award to Two Point Studios, recognising their commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive working environment.
Both Oakleaf and guildford.games extend their thanks to all sponsors, volunteers, speakers, exhibitors, and attendees who helped make the festival such a success. Special recognition goes to Supermassive Games, Rare, Glowmade, Larian Studios, Fireproof Studios, Stellar Entertainment, Harbour Hotels, and G Live.
The success of this year’s festival is a testament to the strength of Guildford’s games community and what can be achieved when people come together to support mental health.
About Oakleaf
Oakleaf is a mental health charity based in Guildford, supporting adults aged 16+ who are managing their mental health. For over 28 years, the charity has offered counselling, work-related training, wellbeing activities and employment support, helping hundreds of people each year to build confidence, reduce isolation, and move toward brighter, more independent futures. Oakleaf is committed to creating a community where mental health is understood and never faced alone.
www.oakleaf-enterprise.org
About guildford.games
guildford.games is a community-led initiative celebrating Guildford’s position as one of the UK’s most significant hubs for game development. Representing a plethora of studios across the region, g.g exists to connect developers, inspire emerging talent and champion the town’s long-standing and ongoing impact on the global games industry.
Media Contacts
Chris Crooker,
chriscrooker@oakleaf-enterprise.org
01483 303 649
Lauran Carter,
lauran@liquidcrimson.co.uk
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.