Active Surrey Revive and Ride community scheme
Active Travel Choices is a pilot scheme that has been developed collaboratively by Surrey County Council's Adult Social Care Disabilities Commissioning Team, Surrey Choices, Active Surrey, the East Valuing People Group and the Surrey Cycle Training Team.
Active Surrey work with the Revive and Ride Scheme to rescue abandoned bikes from the dump. These bikes are refurbished by inmates at Ford Open Prison and then given to community projects, including Active Travel Choices.
The Surrey County Council Cycle Team is offering training sessions during the summer for people with learning disabilities or autism, as well as local community groups on the following dates:
- Monday 5 August 2024 – 1pm to 3p, Check this out on our public training details
- Friday 9 August 2024 – 10am to 12pm, Check this out on our public training details
- Friday 16 August 2024 – 10am to 12pm. Check this out on our public training details
The training will take place in the car park in front of the Surrey Choices building. To borrow a bike or if you have any questions, please contact:
- Email: bikes@surreychoices.com
Work Wise: Supporting people to get work
Work Wise is a free employment service available to any person with a mental or physical health condition, disability, or neurodivergence, who wants to work.
Work Wise supports people to find, maintain and sustain meaningful, long-term paid employment or to support people already in-work to continue their employment.
You can find out more about Work Wise on the Surrey County Council website.
Help us improve access to leisure spaces in Surrey!
Surrey Coalition of Disabled People and Royal Holloway, University of London are looking for 10 co-researchers to co-produce access reviews for leisure spaces in Surrey. Leisure spaces are places where individuals spend their free time away from home, such as leisure centres, cinemas, and high streets. Disabled co-researchers will carry out 5 access reviews of leisure spaces in Surrey, record their experiences in diaries (which can be handwritten, typed, drawn, photographed, or voice or video recorded), and participate in 2 online interviews.
Co-researchers will receive a £100 voucher to use at a store of their choice as compensation. Transport to and from home will be arranged, and entry fees to leisure sites will be covered for both the co-researcher and their carer or personal assistant.
If you're a disabled adult (aged 18+) living in Surrey and facing difficulties accessing leisure spaces in the area, and you're keen on participating as a co-researcher, please email at involvement@surreycoalition.org.uk, call 01483 456 558 or text 07908 671402
Access to Food Support
The Access to Food scheme provides funding to people struggling with the cost of living who may also have difficulty, due to disability or long-term health condition, getting to their local food bank.
The scheme covers the cost of a taxi ride to a local food bank. Access to Food is awarded once per household (not person) every 3 months and are on a first-come first-serve basis. To apply, please go to Access to Food
Relaxed leisure sessions designed to help people with sensory sensitivity in Redhill
The Light in Redhill are offering relaxed climbing sessions on Thursday afternoons designed for autistic guests or guests with sensory sensitivity and their friends to enjoy during the school holidays. Fees apply.
Supported accommodation site in Horley progresses
Early onsite progress in the building of new Supported Independent Living accommodation in Horley town centre was recently marked by Surrey County Council and forms an important part of the council's plan for specialist accommodation in the county.
In Horley, homes for 16 residents are being constructed on the edge of the town centre. The site will include six self-contained one-bedroom flats, plus two townhouses. Each of the houses will feature five ensuite bedrooms alongside shared lounges and kitchens.
A similar development will shortly commence at another site in Byfleet as work on the County Council's 'Right Homes, Right Support' strategy for adults who need specialist housing picks up speed.
The intention is that people will stay in their homes for the medium to long term and be helped build their independence. Surrey residents with eligible care needs who are supported by the county council for a learning disability or autism will be considered for tenancies.
For further information, please visit Surrey News.
All terrain push mountain trikes at Box Hill
The National Trust at Box Hill now has two all-terrain push mountain trikes for visitors to borrow. If you'd like to reserve one or just have a chat to see if it's suitable for your needs, please contact them at boxhill@nationaltrust.org.uk or call us on 01306 878 552
Wellbeing Coaching Programme
Active Wellbeing is a free programme that includes workshops, access to 1:1 coaching sessions, events, activities, and to support people to achieve their goals and create a wellbeing plan, delivered by Active Prospects for adults with neurodivergent and mental health needs. For information, please email wellbeingcoaches@activeprospects.org.uk.
Watch Kieran story of his transformation.
Linkable Paralympic Community Fund Day 27 August
Linkable are hosting a Paralympic Community Fun Day on 27 August at Sport Box, Hoe Valley School from 10:30am- 4pm. Chance to try accessible cycling, walking football and Boccia (paralympic sport) and then compete for a medal. All welcome including people with a learning disability or autistic people, community groups, corporate teams, families. All celebrating the heightened awareness of disability during the Paris Paralympic Games.
Tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for Children. Check out their website to find out more and to buy tickets.
County Care Saturday Summer Socials and Festival Theme Open Mic Night 18 July
County Care are running a range of activities through the summer until the end of August at the Horley, Fetcham and Knaphill Branches. Socials include National Refreshment Day, National S'mores Day, Summer Berry Picking and Open Air Cinema (Costing £10) and many more.
Contact: 0148 322 4183
Support Finder launched by Surrey Independent Living Charity
Support Finder is an online service from Surrey Independent Living Charity (SILC) that helps disabled people to find the support and services they need in their local community and enables Personal Assistants (PAs) to find work.
The website allows people to list their support requirements, availability for work and the support they can offer and then users can either be matched with others who meet their needs, or they can search the site independently for them.
If people receive Direct Payments or Personal Health Budgets in Surrey, they will automatically have Gold Level Employer membership for free as part of your support package. They will require a voucher code from SILC.
For further information about Support Finder is available online. For individuals to request their voucher code, please contact SILC:
- Telephone: 01483 458 111
- Text: 07771 108 624
- Email: admin@surreyilc.org.uk
Surrey Autism Champions Training
Autism by Experience are ready to start promoting Rounds 6, 7 and 8 of the Surrey Autism Champions Training.
You can book your slot online on the Form office site. You will need to fill in your personal details.
These rounds all start in September 2024 and finish by March 2025.
If you are considering applying and need more information or have questions, please email Mike Leat via info@autismbyexperience.co.uk to arrange a chat.
NEW independent skills in Surrey Libraries
The Independent Skills Course is an 8-week course run in local libraries, helping you stay independent with as much choice and control over your life as possible.
The Independent Skills project is about building a toolkit that to empower individuals to live independently. These skills could vary from person to person. Common examples include budgeting money, light exercise routines, and basic computer skills.
