Happy New Year!
We hope you had a restful Christmas break and wish you all a happy new year!
We have been updating the learning disability and autism hub with dates for meetings in 2025:
- Learning Disability Partnership Board
- Surrey People's Group
- Autism Partnership Board
- Autism Reference Group
You can read about these meetings on the hub and contact us if you would like to find out more.
Surrey People's Group NHS 10-year plan workshops
We will be running 2 workshops for Surrey People's Group about the NHS 10-year plan.
Friday 24 January 2025 10.30am to 12.30pm
Woodhatch Place in Reigate
Friday 7 February 10.30am to 12.30pm
Emmanuel Church Hall in Guildford.
This is an opportunity for people to share their experiences to help change the NHS and make it better. Please sign up to one of the workshops so that everyone can have their say.
Upcoming training for carers: Food and Wellbeing
Free online training session for carers of people with learning disabilities and / or autism. This session will encourage positive health and wellbeing choices.
Training highlights:
- understanding the impact of food on health
- overcoming challenges in providing a nutritious diet
Who should attend:
- paid and unpaid carers
- support staff in community settings
Next session: Tuesday 28 January 2025
Time: 1.30pm to 4.30pm
You can find out more information about our courses at Healthy Surrey.
Surrey Connect Bus Service
Surrey Connect is a safe and reliable bus sharing service connecting you to your local community. It has recently expanded to include more parts of Surrey and is open to everyone in those areas to book.
You can find out more about Surrey Connect and download easy read booklets for each area on their webpages.
Dancivity - a dance and wellbeing class for adults with learning disabilities
The sessions include activities and dances designed to help people get to know each other, increase creativity and confidence in dance, and help people leave feeling confident.
These start from Monday 13 January every Monday, 7:30pm to 8:30pm.
Sessions are £12 each.
Where: St Nicolas Youth Centre, Bay Path, High St, Godstone, Redhill RH9 8LW. There is ramp access and an accessible toilet at the venue.
To join contact Emily Watson
Phone: 07736 314 276
Email: emily@whoopfitness.co.uk
Living Well - Growing Old with Learning Disabilities
An exciting and innovative free event for people who work with or care for people with learning disabilities. Improve your knowledge, skills and understanding of supporting people with their physical and wellbeing needs as they age.
Organised by Surrey and Borders Partnership Community Teams for People with Learning Disabilities (CTPLD) to equip you with all you need.
Date: Monday 24 February 2025
Time: 9.15am to 4.15pm
Place: 18 Mole Business Park, Leatherhead, KT22 7AD
Book your free ticket now at the Living Well event.
For any questions email: freya.morris@sabp.nhs.uk
Launch of the LinkAble Boccia Club!
Linkable Boccia Club for people with a learning disability and autistic people in Woking launches in January.
Boccia (pronounced "Bot-cha") is an official Paralympic sport that can be played by people of all abilities. It's a ball game that involves aiming, throwing or rolling soft balls toward a target. Boccia can also be played with the help of specialist ramps, making it suitable for people with different levels of mobility. It's not about physical strength – it's about skill, strategy and having fun!
No experience is needed and all abilities are welcome.
The first session is a taster session that anyone can join:
When: Tuesday, 28th January 6pm to 7pm
Where: Woking Leisure Centre
Cost: £10 per person
After the taster session you will need to register with Linkable to attend.
Autistica Tips Hub
The Autistica Tips Hub launched in December.
This is a free app to help you find reliable autism tips and evidence-based resources. You can find tips on daily routines, mental health or professional guidance. It's a place to ask questions, share what has helped you and connect with the autistic community.
Parents2Parents Support Group
Parents2Parents is a new group for parents, carers and grandparents of disabled adults. The group is a safe, friendly space to build friendships, share and listen and find support. Three trained befrienders run the sessions.
Meetings are at White Lodge in Chertsey (KT16 0FA).
Spring 2025 dates: 13 January, 10 February, 10 March.
If you would like to go along, please email face2face@whitelodgecentre.co.uk or phone 01932 567131.
People with a learning disability are entitled to a pneumococcal vaccination
The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against serious illnesses like pneumonia, sepsis and meningitis.
Recommended for people with a learning disability and adults aged 65 and over.
The vaccine is free from your doctor.
You can speak to a nurse or doctor at your surgery or clinic about this.
Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum Autism and Communication
This event is about autism and communication. Alix Lewer from Include.org will be at the workshop.
Date: Monday 20 January 2025
Time: 10.30am to 1pm
Location: Dianthus Building, Wishbone Way, Woking GU21 3RT
The event includes:
- a talk on the communication needs of autistic people
- a question-and-answer session
- tea and traditional snacks
- an introductory Makaton session (signs, symbols and speech to support communication)
This is a great way to connect, learn and empower parent carers within ethnic minority communities.
To find out more email Sadia. Sultan@smef.org.uk.
You Said We Did Report for All-Age Autism Strategy
Autistic people and family carers in Surrey told us about some serious, system-wide problems for autistic people in 2020. The Surrey All Age Autism Strategy 2021 to 2026 was co-produced by a wide range of partners. They set out an autism friendly vision for Surrey where autistic people can lead healthy, safe and fulfilling lives.
We want an autism friendly approach across the county. This includes education, health, social care, work and communities. People with lived experience and from across the service system are working on this. To keep you up to date on the work we are doing, we have created a You Said, We Did report.
Your opinion matters! Once you have read our 'You Said, We Did' report, we would like to hear from you. Please complete the All-Age Autism Feedback survey to share your views on the All-Age Autism Strategy 2021 to 2026. Your views will shape the future priorities of the All-Age Autism Strategy.
Consultation closes 23:59pm on Friday 31 January 2025.
United Pride Friends survey
United Pride Friends are organising a workshop. This is to highlight challenges and matters LGBTQ+ autistic people face. They want to inform services and organisations who provide support to autistic people.
They have a survey about awareness. Autistic people who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community can complete this.
The January Challenge
The January Challenge asks you to be creative, have fun and try new things every day in January! The organisation 64 Million Artists will share a new idea to try each day in January.
They have partnered with Campaign 4 Change to co-produce an Easy Read pack for the January Challenge. They will also deliver free training to help you use these resources with groups.
Free Easy Read winter guide
Many people will experience difficulties this winter. Easy Read Online has created a free winter guide to help. The guide provides advice on staying warm and healthy, help with money and looking out for others.
Please share and pass it on to anyone who would find it helpful.
Surrey Wheelchair Service user engagement forum invites attendees
Surrey Wheelchair Service is holding an online forum for all wheelchair users in Surrey. The forum starts at 1pm on Wednesday 15 January 2025.
To attend this session, please contact the Surrey Wheelchair Service:
- Email: SurreyCHEO@rosscare.co.uk
- Text (SMS): 07949 400 347
Calling all voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations in Surrey
We are building an asset network to bring together local voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations. This is all about connecting, collaborating and making a bigger impact for Surrey residents.
Why sign up?
- meet like-minded groups working on similar goals
- stay in the loop with council-led updates on grants, funding and training
- discover opportunities to partner up, learn and grow
Recently, we have shared information about employment and adult social care grants and sustainable business training—and more is on the way! It only takes 10 minutes to sign up to the asset network.
If you are not sure if you've already joined, you can email communitiesandpreventionprojects@surreycc.gov.uk to check.
Help in Surrey if you're struggling this winter
We know times are tough so we want to do everything we can to support you during this time.
We have rounded up all the tips and contact details to support you if you're struggling this winter. Whether you're over 60, a family, a person with a disability or health condition, out of work, a carer or simply just looking to cut back on your everyday energy bills. There is information for you. There is a financial support section, welfare section and health and wellbeing section.
Find more support at the Welfare hub.
You can also use our financial and welfare support chat bot which will guide you through support relevant to you and your needs.
Winter vaccinations
October was the start of the winter vaccine campaign. People with a learning disability are more likely to get ill from the flu. If your GP hasn't contacted you yet, please contact them to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations. You may be able to have your flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at the same time.
If you are a main carer or get carers allowance, you can also get a free flu vaccine. This will help protect you and the person you care for.
Do talk to your GP if you are worried about the vaccinations.
Find Easy Read leaflets on how to protect yourself from flu by having the flu vaccine at Flu vaccination: Easy-Read flu vaccination resources.
In this video, Rachel and her mum get their flu and COVID-19 autumn booster vaccines at their GP practice.