Disability support organisations

A range of organisations in Surrey provide support for people with disabilities. These help people stay connected and informed on local matters. Wider local support is also available by searching on Connect to Support Surrey.

Contact our information and advice service if you need to speak to someone.


Age UK Surrey

Age UK Surrey is an independent local charity, working for all people over the age of 50, and carers, to help them make the most of life. Age UK Surrey aims to see a county where older people live a fulfilled, enjoyable and dignified life, free from isolation, poverty, abuse and discrimination. They run a number of services including Help at Home, befriending, information and advice support. They are commissioned by us and the NHS to provide an information and advice service.


Disability Support Groups

We often seek to involve people who use our services in designing new services, or changing existing ones. There are a number of disability support groups that meet regularly to discuss services and issues of relevance.


First Steps

The First Steps booklet provides useful information about different types of emotional/mental health help and support available locally and nationally.


POhWER

POhWER delivers information, advice, support and advocacy services throughout England. They aim to support people who face difficult issues and want to make their voice heard. All POhWER's services are free, independent and confidential.

POhWER provides a range of different advocacy services in Surrey and can be contacted as follows:

  • Telephone: 0300 456 2370
  • Text: Send the word 'pohwer' with your name and number to 81025
  • Skype: pohwer.advocacy
  • Email: pohwer@pohwer.net

For further information, please visit: Surrey Adult Advocacy Services.


Sight for Surrey

Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey is the county's largest charity provider of specialist services to people who have a visual impairment, dual sensory loss (Deafblind), are Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing. They are commissioned by us and the NHS to provide a wide range of support, including information about sensory impairment, professional assessment of need, provision of specialist equipment and information technology support, communication, mobility and independent life skills rehabilitation training, welfare benefits information and support, social work support for Deaf sign language users, sign language interpreting and communication support and communicator guides/vision impairment specialist support workers.


Stroke Association

The Stroke Support Service provided by the Stroke Association offers one to one practical support and advice for stroke survivors, unpaid carers and their family.

The aim of the service is to enable people living with stroke to make the best possible recovery, so that they can live their life to the full after a stroke. A Stroke Coordinator works with each individual to develop a personalised plan identifying the actions needed to reach their agreed desired outcomes. Support begins following a stroke and continues on a needs led basis.

The service is for all adult residents (those aged 18 and above) of Surrey who have experienced or been affected by stroke at any point following stroke. This includes stroke survivors and their unpaid carers aged 18 and above.

All support is available face-to-face or virtually depending on the person's needs and preferences. Support Coordinators can also meet with individuals within hospital settings where appropriate.


Surrey Choices

Surrey Choices provides a range of support services to improve the independence, confidence and life skills of people with a range of disabilities and support needs, whatever their age, in their local community.
They are commissioned by us to provide a range of activities, learning and employment support, shared lives and short breaks.


Surrey Coalition of Disabled People

Surrey Coalition of Disabled People campaigns and promotes the rights of disabled people to equality of opportunity and to live independently. They run a selection of networks to enable you to have a voice to consult and co-design services.

We commission Surrey Coalition of Disabled People to engage people with disabilities on local social care and health matters.


Surrey Independent Living Charity (SILC)

Surrey Independent Living Charity is a voluntary organisation led and run by disabled people. They offer a range of services to help you live independently, whether you receive support from the us, the NHS or fund your own care.

Their Independent Living Advisers (ILAs) are available to provide information, advice and help with using direct payments to promote independent living, such as understanding how direct payments work; deciding whether a direct payment is suitable for you; and recruiting and employing a personal assistant to provide your care at home. ILAs can assist in recruiting and employing personal assistants.

SILC is commissioned by us to provide support to local residents with direct payments and recruiting and employing personal assistants.

Surrey Independent Living Charity can also support you to make a complaint to the NHS if you require an advocate, to make sure you are in control of decisions made about you and your views are heard.


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