Beat the heat: staying safe in hot weather
Anyone can become unwell if they get too hot. Some people are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell.
The UK Health and Security Agency has shared guidance on staying safe in hot weather.
It is important to follow this guidance so that you are prepared for hot weather and can take action to cool yourself and your home.
There is a range of resources available including easy read and British Sign Language (BSL) video.
New healthy living toolkits to help tackle health inequalities for people with learning disabilities
Leicester Partnership NHS Trust have set up a new healthy living toolkits to help support people with learning disabilities to lead healthier and happier lives.
The full set of toolkits are available for free download. There are specific versions for:
people with lived experience: easy read and a standard version
family / friend carers
adult social care
providers
GP practice staff
other healthcare professionals
Beyond Words Book Clubs and New App
Books Beyond Works are starting a new online session called ‘The First Thursday Club'.
Whether you're a self-advocate, a facilitator or just interested in learning more, they would love you to join them.
Next session is on Thursday 3 July.
To sign up email: bookclubs@booksbeyondwords.co.uk
The Book Beyond Words App is now Live on Android and the Web. The Apple App is coming soon. You can now share Beyond Words resources on a phone, tablet or big screen. The app is free and comes with a selection of their short stories.
With a subscription, you get access to all their word-free resources, including over 400 short stories,1800 pictures and their digital library of books.
Woking and Epsom libraries are now taking referrals for Independent Skills courses
Independent Skills is an 8-week course in libraries. Sessions are designed to help people stay independent for as long as possible.
Topics covered:
- financial wellbeing
- emotional wellbeing
- digital skills
- physical wellbeing
- using your skills
- help to stay independent
Professionals can make a direct referral.
Residents can self-refer through their website or phone the community helpline: 0300 200 1008
If you have any questions email the Independent Skills team: libraryindependentskills@surreycc.gov.uk
Surrey Autistic Adults Network Meeting
As part of Autism Friendly Surrey the Autism by Experience team are hosting online consultation and information sharing meetings for autistic adults in Surrey.
The meetings are for autistic adults in Surrey (whether officially diagnosed or not). They have arranged two online meetings to ensure that as many people as possible can join them.
Thursday 10th July 7pm to 8.30pm
Saturday 19th July - 11am to 12.30pm
These meetings will be run by members of the Autism by Experience team, most of whom are autistic.
They will use a visual slideshow to help make the meeting accessible. It’s okay to join with your camera turned off, and it’s okay if you prefer not to speak at the meetings.
Email afc@autismbyexperience.co.uk if you have any questions.
Autistic Parents Network
As part of Autism Friendly Surrey we want to develop a support network for autistic parents as they navigate parenthood.
Ideas to discuss include:
- regular online support group meetings
- meet-ups at community events
- setting up a Facebook group for autistic parents
Email: afc@autismbyexperience.co.uk if you have any questions or want to get involved.
Oliver McGowan Guidance
The Government have put out a final draft of the code of practice for the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training. It’s available in a full version and easy read. Final approval is expected in September this year.
All registered social care providers should read it to check their responsibilities.
The Sunnybank Fun-tastic Circus
The Sunnybank drama group has been working hard for months to put together a brilliant and interactive show.
Date: Saturday 5 July 2025
Times: 11am for care homes (no charge for carers)
2pm for the public
Where: St Barnabas, Epsom KT19 8HA
Ticket: £10 per ticket - includes popcorn & a drink!
To book your tickets email: info@sunnybanktrust.org
Surrey Heartlands Love Your Cervix Campaign
Surrey Heartlands Love Your Cervix Campaign is aimed at women aged 25-29. In the South East, uptake for cervical screening among younger women is under 60%.
1 in 3 young women who are invited to their first cervical screening do not take up their invitation. It can be quite scary going for your first screening appointment, but it is very important to do it when you are contacted by your GP.
There is plenty of information and an easy read guide on cervical cancer screening on the NHS England website. There is also some useful easy read information and videos about cervical screening on the learning disability and autism hub.
Inclusive Family Adventures
Join Surrey Outdoor Learning & Development (SOLD) for specially designed sessions for families with children and adults who have learning needs or disabilities.
Locations:
Thames Young Mariners - Richmond
Henley Fort - Guildford
High Ashurst - Dorking
Angel Blue Canal Boat - Guildford
To talk about what you need:
Email outdoor.learning@surreycc.gov.uk
Phone: 01372 378 901
Our easy read webpages, what do you think?
We know that our webpages would be more accessible for people with learning disabilities if they were in easy read.
We have worked with the web team to develop an easy read template and started on the Housing and where you live pages.
Email to us know what you think: disabilitycomms@surreycc.gov.uk
Making Every Contact Count (MECC) free training courses
MECC (Making Every Contact Count) is an initiative to encourage public facing staff and volunteers to make the most of the contact they have with residents. Surrey County Council offers fully funded MECC training for NHS, local authority, and community sector staff and volunteers in Surrey.
The following courses are available:
- alcohol
- smoking
- mental wellbeing
- food & wellbeing
- food & wellbeing for carers of people with people with learning disabilities and/or autistic people
- fuel poverty
- food, fuel and finances
To find out more and register for the courses, please visit Making Every Contact Count - Healthy Surrey.
Supermarket quiet hours in Surrey
Autism by Experience has put together a list of supermarkets that offer quiet hours. These supermarkets reduce lighting and announcements and most reduce till sounds. Some also avoid moving trolleys during quiet hours.
Social Care Institute for Excellence’s annual co-production week
Co-production week takes place 30 June to 4 July 2025 and is a celebration of the contribution people with lived experience make to creating better social care. This year, the theme is ‘Innovation Through Co-Production’.
Co-production means people who draw on care and support including unpaid carers working in equal partnership with professionals to shape and deliver services. They want to better understand how this approach helps innovation.
If you are a social care professional, a person with lived experience, or a family carer, they want your input. You will help inform case studies, online events and discussions that aim to influence policy and improve practice.
Please take a few minutes to complete this short 15-minute survey.
Tickets are now live for The LinkAble Inclusive Games 2025!
The LinkAble Inclusive Games is taking place on 26 August 2025.
- Time: 10.30am to 4pm
- Where: Woking Sportsbox, Egley Rd, Woking, GU22 0AF
- Cost: £8 early bird (carers free). £10 if purchased after July 23
Four exciting sports designed for all abilities! This is your chance to try:
- Boccia – a precision ball game where players aim to get their balls closest to a target ball
- Table Cricket – an adapted version of cricket played on a table tennis table with teams taking turns to bowl or bat, run by Surrey Indoor Cricket
- Accessible Cycling – enjoy adapted bikes provided by Wheels For All meaning everyone can experience the joy of cycling
- Walking Football – a slower-paced version of football, promoting inclusivity and fun, facilitated by Woking Walking football club