Surrey People’s Group in the West
Date: Friday 15 August 2025 10:30am to 12:30pm
Where: Emmanuel Church Hall, Shepherds Lane, Guildford GU2 9SJ
Share your experiences and ideas!
- Surrey Police want to know what you think about Hate Crime
- what is it like on public transport? Tell the council what you think
- vote for a chair and deputy chair for this group
Your voice is important!
Book now or to find out more:
Phone: 07929 863 582
Email: disabilitycomms@surreycc.gov.uk
Opportunities with Surrey People’s Group
Following votes at the East and West Surrey People’s Group meetings it has been agreed to elect a chair and deputy chair for each group.
If you or anyone you support may be interested in becoming a chair or deputy chair, please email disabilitycomms@surreycc.gov.uk. We have easy read job descriptions to share.
Deadlines:
West 8/8/2025
East 12/9/2025
Charging policy consultation
Surrey County Council is asking for views on proposed changes to how much adults pay for care at home or in the community. This aims to bring their approach in line with national guidance.
National social care laws allow councils to ask people to contribute towards the cost of their care and set out how much can be charged. In Surrey, people have been charged less than the national guidance recommends for home and community-based care. However, when less money is collected through charging, there’s less funding available to run and improve the care services that many people rely on.
Full details about the proposed changes to the Adult Social Care Charging Policy for community care services is available to download in a range of formats from the related documents section at the bottom of this page.
Share your views by completing our consultation questionnaire, either online or by using one of the alternative formats.
If you would like a copy of this proposal in hard copy, you can contact us:
Telephone: 01372 832 370
(Textphone (via Relay UK): 18001 01372 832 370)
Email: chargingpolicyconsultation@surreycc.gov.uk
This consultation closes on 7 September 2025.
NHS 10 year plan easy read
The government's 10 year health plan for England has been published.
It is called Fit for the Future.
An important aim is to reduce health inequalities and improve health outcomes, which will help people with a learning disability, autistic people and their families.
The NHS have created a video to show what the 10 year health plan would look like. There is also an easy read version of the plan.
You can read the plan on the Government's website.
Survey on disabled person’s bus pass eligibility
Helen Maguire MP wants to find out what you think about bus passes. She is campaigning to extend the eligibility of disabled bus passes so they can be used before 9:30am. At present, the restriction prevents many disabled people who wish to start work earlier from travelling.
Doorstep Duets dance performances in Surrey
Doorstep Duets is returning to Surrey Libraries UK for a fourth year. These dance performances for all ages will bring the joy and wonder of dance to communities in July.
The performances are free, 20 minutes long and there is no need to book. Just turn up!
Find out more about this and other events and activities in libraries.
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 professional referral.
Residents can make a resident self-referral 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.
Saturday 19 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.
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 and 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
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