Learning disability and autism hub

Latest updates from the learning disability and autism information hub

Surrey County Council consultation launched on draft short breaks policy for adults

A public consultation is now open on a draft short breaks policy for adults with care and support needs and their families.

Short breaks give people with eligible care needs the chance to enjoy meaningful activities and experiences while their family carers get time to rest and recharge. Short breaks, also known as respite care, can include day, evening or weekend activities provided at home, in residential services or community settings.

The draft policy sets out the county council’s approach to providing short breaks for adults with care needs and their families, in line with its Care Act duties. It is the first time the approach has been set out in a single policy, helping to ensure transparency and consistency.

The draft policy aims to ensure that short breaks are accessible, fair, and meet the needs of individuals and their carers.

Consultation questionnaire

The draft Adults, Wellbeing and Health Partnership (AWHP) policy and a questionnaire for people to share their views can be found on the Surrey Says website.

The consultation period will be open for 8 weeks from Monday 12 January 2026 and will close at 23:59 on Sunday 8 March 2026.

Alternative formats

Alternative formats of the questionnaire and draft short breaks policy for adults are available to download from the Surrey Says online platform. Additionally, they can be requested in hard copy (including a stamped addressed envelope to return the questionnaire), using the following contact details:

Opportunity for people with a learning disability to become an Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training co-trainer

On 21 January, the Good Consulting Company are holding an online information session for people with a learning disability who are interested in becoming a Learning Disability Co-Trainer for the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training.

They are recruiting people from all areas of England, but you would not be expected to travel everywhere. They aim to match people to training delivery in their local area where possible.

Choose from the following session times:

  • 12.30pm to 1.30pm
  • 7pm to 8pm

Easy Read information and other formats will be available, and information will be shared in advance.

How to book

You can book a space online or email jobs@valentinagroup.co.uk.

Managing autistic employees - An Autistic Voices blog

The latest blog written by autistic people living and working in Surrey is about managing autistic employees.

In these blogs people have shared their perspectives, insights and experiences of autistic life. Views shared represent the views of our residents.

If you are an autistic person and want to write or share a blog, please email: allageautismstrategy@surreycc.gov.uk

East Surrey Autism Friendly Communities

The next meeting will be held:

  • Date: Tuesday 13 January 2026
  • Time: 10am to 11.30am

It will focus on several topics including:

  • developing a peer network for autistic adults
  • launching our cinema survey
  • work with libraries and leisure centres
  • free training workshops for businesses and community services
  • taster sessions planned for East Surrey
  • very isolated autistic people

You can find out more and join the mailing list on the Autism Friendly Surrey website.

Mental Health support

As January begins, NHS Surrey Heartlands is reminding people that mental health support is available for anyone struggling during the winter months. Returning to everyday routines after the festive period, alongside shorter days, cold weather and new year pressures, can leave people feeling low, anxious or overwhelmed. For some, loneliness, loss or stress may become more noticeable, and existing mental health challenges can feel harder to manage.

The message from NHS Surrey Heartlands and partners is clear: no one is alone and support is available. Reaching out for help can feel daunting, but it is a positive first step, whether someone is struggling themselves, supporting another person, or looking for local support.

24/7 crisis support

Surrey Mental Health Crisis Line offers confidential help is available day and night for anyone in immediate mental distress:

  • Telephone: 0800 915 4644
  • Text (SMS): 07717 989 024
  • Text Relay: 18001 0800 915 4644

Safe Havens across Surrey are open every evening and at weekends, offering immediate, non-clinical support. No appointment is needed, and support is available in person and virtually.

Everyday support

For people feeling anxious, low or stressed but not in crisis:

  • NHS Talking Therapies Surrey – free, evidence-based support for anxiety and depression, with self-referral and no GP referral needed
  • GP and community wellbeing support – GPs can connect people to a wide range of wellbeing and community programmes through Healthy Surrey and Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

To explore the support available near you:

Young people in Surrey pilot innovative accessible travel app

Young people in Surrey are helping shape the future of accessible travel. Accept, Teach, Listen, Access, Support (ATLAS), Surrey Youth Voice's group for young people with additional needs and disabilities, recently took part in a pilot to test Aubin.

Aubin is a free journey-planning app created for neurodivergent travellers.

Unlike traditional travel apps that focus on speed and efficiency, Aubin prioritises personalisation and accessibility. Its unique features aim to reduce stress, boost confidence, and make public transport more inclusive. From tailored routes to supportive tools, Aubin helps travellers feel prepared and empowered.

Find out more about the app and how the testing went, including a video following ATLAS on their travels.

YMCA East Surrey New Year FitStart open day

YMCA East Surrey are running a day of health, fun and community on Thursday 15 January 2026.

  • free use of gym facilities
  • 15% off gym membership
  • gym / fitness facilities tours
  • health & wellbeing activities
  • free blood pressure checks
  • Free healthy refreshments will be available all day.

The session is being held at:

YMCA Sports and Community Centre
Redhill
RH1 6JJ

Introduction to walking cricket (free sessions)

Join these friendly walking cricket sessions, open to beginners and experienced players aged 50+, as well as people with mobility issues. A great way to stay active, social, and have fun at your own pace.

When:

  • Wednesdays, 2pm to 3pm
  • 7 January to 11 March 2026
  • No session on 25 February

The sessions are being held at:

Eclipse Leisure Centre
Knowle Green
Staines-upon-Thames
Staines
TW18 1AJ

For more information, email: spelthornesportscc@outlook.com

Free training on autism and neurodivergence for businesses and community services

Autism by Experience is delivering free online workshops in February and March 2026 for local businesses and community services in Surrey. An organisation can reserve up to 5 places on any workshop for their staff, volunteers and supporters.

The aim of these workshops is to increase the understanding of the needs of autistic and neurodivergent customers, leading to good experiences for autistic people and potentially increased custom for businesses and services.

The workshops will be co-presented by autistic lived experience trainers who will be sharing their experiences, as well as some of the great work businesses and services are already doing.

You can find out more about the workshops and sign up on the Autism Friendly Surrey webpage about training.

Men’s mental health survey: loneliness, connection and belonging

The Public Health team want to understand what helps men in Surrey feel a sense of belonging, what gets in the way, and how services can better support this.

They have launched a 25-minute survey as part of a project exploring connection, belonging and loneliness. It is open to those aged 18+ living, working or studying in Surrey.

Take part in Men's Mental Health: Loneliness, Connectedness, and Belonging.

Leatherhead carers event

  • Date: Wednesday 4 February 2026
  • Time: 1pm to 3pm
  • Where: Bookham Scouting Centre, Eastwick Park Avenue, Great Bookham, Leatherhead KT23 3NA

There will be a carers drop-in event for patients in the Leatherhead and Bookham area. The event is open to anyone supporting a family member, friend or neighbour who are unable to manage without help.

The event will provide information about the support available to carers in the community including financial support, practical help, wellbeing resources and how to get connected with local services.

Moving and positioning training sessions available

Surrey Independent Living Charity (SILC) has a limited number of face-to-face moving and positioning training sessions available to book. They are for people with a direct payment or personal health budget to train their Personal Assistants (PAs) and is funded by Skills for Care. Practitioners and social care teams can also make referrals on their clients’ behalf.

The training is an opportunity for people to have a trainer visit their home and train their PAs on the correct procedures for safe moving and positioning, bespoke to the individual, and using the equipment in their home.

All enquiries must be made before the end of March 2026 to receive this fully funded training.

For further information, or to book please contact:

Get More Active in 2026

The new year can be a time when people seek a re-set and look towards fresh goals for the coming year. If one of your goals is to get more active in 2026 then why not get in touch with Katy at Surrey Coalition to find out more about the support they can offer:

  • one to one appointment – an informal chat with Katy to discuss what you’d like to achieve and work with you to help you reach your goals
  • regular Get More Active get togethers - enjoy a social catch up, try out different physical activities
  • Active Buddy - volunteers will attend activities with you and support with transport if required

Contact to find out more:

Changes to Surrey County Council charging policy for adult social care in the community

After a recent public consultation, the county council’s cabinet approved updates to our charging policy to help keep adult social care sustainable in the future.

Thank you to everyone who shared their views during the 12-week consultation on the changes.

The changes only affect care provided at home or in the community. There is no change in the policy for people living in residential or nursing care.

Read about the changes to charges policy that will be implemented from 2 February on our website. There are also dates in January for drop-in sessions in libraries to help explain what the changes could mean for you.

County Care Trips and Activities 2026

County Care have some new trips and activities for 2026 including Bowling Bash, Paddington Musical, Pixar Experience, Wicked and latest Saturday Social programmes for January and February.

Find out about trips and the latest Saturday Social programmes.

New easy read page published on the learning disability and autism hub

All the pages in the health section of the learning disability and autism hub have now been converted to easy read. The latest page to be completed is about the Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR). Other pages include:

  • annual health checks
  • top to toe health checklists
  • nurses and community teams
  • vaccinations
  • my care passport
  • hospital visits, stays and discharge
  • dementia
  • physical health and wellbeing
  • cancer
  • wheelchair service
  • learning disability register
  • sexual health
  • end of life care

Free training for carers of autistic people and people with a learning disability about food and wellbeing

This 3-hour workshop is for carers of people with learning disabilities or autistic people, or those working with them. It explores practical and effective strategies for helping people eat more healthy diets. The course is funded by Surrey County Council and is online.

  • Date: Wednesday 21 January 2026
  • Time: 9.30am to 12.30pm

If you have any questions, please contact:

Down Syndrome Act 2022 draft statutory guidance consultation

The consultation sets out what the Department of Health and Social Care is proposing for the statutory guidance issued under the Downs Syndrome Act 2022.

Responses are welcome from:

  • people with Down Syndrome and their families and/or carers
  • people with other chromosomal conditions, genetic conditions and/or a learning disability who have similar needs and their families and/or carers
  • organisations
  • people who work in healthcare, social care, education or housing services

You can respond:

  • as an individual
  • on behalf of someone else
  • on behalf of an organisation

Easy read versions of the survey are available.

Take part in the consultation.

The consultation closes 30 March 2026.

Join Elmbridge Council’s gentle Walk and Wheel

Join the inclusive weekly Walk and Wheel along the Thames towpath near the Xcel Leisure Complex in Walton. This short, accessible route is designed for beginners and those who prefer a gentle pace. There is friendly support from trained Wellbeing Walk leaders.

New participants in December and January will receive a £5 Costa Coffee voucher (terms and conditions on their website).

Help this winter

It is a good idea to be prepared for the challenges winter can bring so we can stay healthy and well during the season ahead. Surrey County Council’s winter advice hub has a lot of useful information including:

  • keeping safe, up to date, well and busy
  • help and advice for older and vulnerable people
  • Warm Welcome Venues

Seeability have created a new easy read guide Saving money in winter. It shares simple, practical tips to help people save money and energy, especially as the colder months set in.

Flu vaccination autumn and winter 2025

The NHS has put out an urgent message to tell people that flu cases are rising quickly. This is earlier than usual. It can take 2 weeks for the flu vaccine to work so people are protected. This is most important for people at most risk including children, older adults, pregnant women, carers and people with long-term conditions. You can find out more about flu vaccinations and how to book them on Surrey Heartlands' website.

People with a learning disability often face more health challenges than others. They are at greater risk of catching the flu and are more likely to develop complications leading to serious illness. People who are on the Learning Disability Register and their carers are eligible for the free NHS flu vaccine.

You can find out more about vaccinations on our new webpage on the learning disability and autism hub.

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