Do you know anyone who is facing challenges in life and wants to volunteer?
The Aspire Project has been relaunched for 2025 thanks to funding from the National Lottery Awards for All programme. They provide extra guidance and help with volunteering.
They are accepting referrals from professionals and self-referrals.
Email volunteer@varb.org.uk or call 01737 763 156 to find out more.
Workshops for organisations and volunteers:
Supporting Volunteers with Disabilities
When: Wednesday 5 March 9:30am to 4pm
Where: Horley Baptist Church, 289 Court Lodge Road, Horley, RH6 8RG
Cost: £15 per person
Supported Loving Toolkit Update
Supported Loving's toolkit for staff and carers has been updated. It contains all you need to support people around sex, relationships and sexuality including new pages and resources.
Autistic Burnout Network Conference 17 May 2025
Autistic burnout is a very serious issue, and it is vital that parents, autistic people and professionals working with autistic people understand it so that they know what support is appropriate. Autistic burnout can lead to serious mental health problems and a higher risk of suicide.
The Autistic Burnout Network Conference is a 1-day virtual conference and includes lived experience neurodivergent speakers including Educational Psychologist Dr Joanne Riordan, Nurse Practitioner Laura Hellfeld and Clinical Psychologist Dr Alice Nicholls.
Relaxed Cinema in Godalming
The Film Society has established Relaxed Cinema in Godalming to show films in the Wilfrid Noyce Centre in Godalming.
This is for film lovers that can't access cinema in the local multiplex to see films on a large screen in an environment that suits them. The screenings are run entirely by volunteers and free to enter. Voluntary donations to help cover the costs are
Surrey Choices Community Meals and Community Fridge
Surrey Choices are supporting anyone struggling with food insecurity in Redhill. They are launching a monthly Community Meal on the last Wednesday of the month. Everyone from the local community is welcome to attend. Booking is essential to make sure there is enough hot food!
Time: 1:30pm to 3:00pm
Where: 49 Holland Close, Redhill, RH1 1HT
To book your place:
Phone: 07709 100 324
The Community Fridge is open on Wednesday and Thursday each week from 10:00am to 12:00pm.
Tech Angels in Woking
Tech Angels is a free service run by Surrey Coalition for Disabled People. Their aim is to support people who are at risk of becoming isolated due to digital exclusion. They can accept referrals for anyone over the age 18 who lives in Surrey.
As they now have funding for the area, they can start to support people who live in Woking again.
To get support complete the online referral form or if you need help contact their office:
Telephone: 01483 456 558
Text: 07908 671 402
Email: getconnected@surreycoalition.org.uk
Importance of managing diabetes - new resource
This short film from NHS England shows Jodie who has type 1 diabetes. She says you can live a normal life by attending your diabetic checks and managing your diet and exercising.
There are guides available about managing type 1 diabetes in different languages as well as easy read.
Household fund to help unpaid carers
Action for Carers Surrey received funds to assist local carers facing challenges with basic household bills. This funding is for unpaid family and friend carers. It helps those who can't afford food, fuel, water or other essential bills.
They are 1 of several organisations distributing these funds in Surrey.
You don't need to receive benefits to get help. If you do get benefits, a payment from a Household Support Fund scheme won't affect them. It's not an emergency fund, it can take a couple of weeks to process applications.
If successful in your application, you will receive a small grant to help with your bills.
If you are already registered with Action for Carers:
Phone: 0303 040 1234, choose option 1
Text (SMS): 07723 486 730
Email CSAdmin@actionforcarers.org.uk
If you are an unpaid carer living in Surrey but aren't yet registered with Action for Carers complete the form to show your interest and they will be in touch.
Surrey Professionals: Autism Suicide Prevention Training
Autism Oxford are offering free online training sessions for professionals in Surrey, supporting either children and young people or adults.
This training aims to give professionals tools to better support autistic individuals.
Professionals supporting children and young people:
- 5 March 10:30am and 30 April 10:30am
- 22 May 1:30pm and 10 July 1:30pm
Professionals supporting adults:
- 25 April 10:30am and 4 July 10:30am
- 3 June 1:30pm and 15 July 1:30pm
Each course is 2 sessions of 2.5 hours. It includes pre-learning, live sessions, and post-reflection to deepen your knowledge and skills. Certificates are provided when both parts are completed.
Register on Autism Oxford's website.
Email with any questions: ssp@autismoxford.org.uk
Countryside Visitor Survey
Surrey County Council wants to learn from visitors and residents. They want to know how people enjoy Surrey's countryside. They value feedback on what to improve.
Take part in their Countryside Visitor Survey. Help shape how they manage Surrey's countryside.
The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete.
Emotional support for people with learning disabilities
Healthwatch Surrey are exploring access to and experiences of emotional and mental health support for people who have a learning disability. They want to learn about the experiences of people who provide care or support through their survey.
This will help inform future service development and identify training requirements.
Closing date for survey: 16 March 2025
For more information about this project, please contact the Healthwatch Surrey Helpdesk:
Phone: 0303 303 0023
SMS (text only): 07592 787 533
WhatsApp: 07592 787 533
Email: enquiries@healthwatchsurrey.co.uk
Include Choir Choral Connections Concert
The Include Choir will be joining with Vocal Dimension Chorus for a concert of connection in March, which will feature their brand-new song about inclusion.
Where: St Mary's Church, Chart Lane, Reigate RH2 7RN
When: Saturday 15 March
Time: 7:30pm
Cost: £12 including one drink.
For tickets:
Email: info@redhillredstonerotary.org or buy at the door.
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.
