Work and volunteering

Man working on a laptop at a desk while a woman stands beside him smiling and pointing to herself.

Having a job gives you control over your life and helps your community.

Man and woman standing side by side with their arms around each other, both giving a thumbs up.

It is a great way to feel good about yourself and connect with other people.

Woman using a laptop with clocks behind her showing 9:00 and 5:00 to represent working hours.

People with learning disabilities can use their skills and experiences to do work they enjoy.

Food bank volunteer standing behind crates filled with tinned food and groceries, with a leaflet and food bank sign.

Volunteering is a good way to learn new skills and use your time to help other people.

Group of adults posing playfully together, smiling and raising their arms.

It is a great way to feel good about yourself and connect with other people.

Person kneeling on the ground wearing gloves and planting a young tree in soil.

Some people volunteer to get experience which they can use to find a job.

Clock showing three o’clock next to a weekly planner listing Monday to Sunday, representing set hours each week.

Volunteering can be for just a few hours every month, or it can be more such as volunteering for a few days every week.

Laptop screen showing a man raising his hand next to a large hand cursor symbol.

We have a list of volunteering websites in Surrey.

Two men reaching out to shake hands in a shop, with money shown crossed out above them to suggest no payment or bribery.

Connect to Work is a free personalised employment support programme from Surrey County Council for people:

Woman holding her face with both hands and looking tired or overwhelmed.

with health difficulties

Diverse group of adults including a wheelchair user and a blind man with a white cane standing together and smiling.

a disability

Man holding his head with both hands and grimacing to show stress or frustration.

personal situations that are making finding or keeping work difficult

Two people in business suits shaking hands while standing face to face.

The programme matches you to an Employment Specialist. They will support you to find the right job and succeed in it.

If you’re already in work but at risk of losing your job, a Connect to Work Employment Specialist can work with you and your employer to help you stay in work.

EmployAbility offers support to find a job and stay in employment.

Support worker sitting at a table with a man, helping him fill in a form and pointing to the paper.

This would include placements, volunteer opportunities and paid work.

Older man in a suit holding a briefcase and standing facing forward.

They also work with employers to make sure everyone has what they need to do the job.

Student with a backpack and folder standing in front of a large college building.

EmployAbility also works with some schools and colleges. It supports young autistic people to find work experience opportunities and supported internships.

Support worker helping a man complete an easy read form at a table, pointing to the page while he writes.

It can help people not eligible for adult social care to access employment schemes. It can also support people who can get access to work funding, or who self-fund.