Hidden Surrey - The power of local people

The local initiatives and groups supporting communities across Surrey

Across Surrey, many community groups, activities and local projects bring people together every day. The people behind them often go unnoticed, but the work they do sits at the heart of our communities.

Communities Month takes place every June to celebrate the contributions of residents, volunteers and others who make Surrey a great place to live. This Community Month we want to tell you about what is happening in your local area. From transport to exploring shared history or maintaining green spaces and volunteering. There are lots of ways you can connect with the people around you.

Your local library, at the heart of your community

We know how loved our libraries are. They’re not just places to borrow books, but spaces to work, study, meet others and relax. Every day, across all 52 Surrey libraries, there are activities and events taking place.

From knit and natter groups, book and coding clubs and to family rhymetime and story times, all helping people connect, learn new skills and feel part of their local community.

Take a look at our top 10 events for June to see what’s on near you.

Community transport

Across Surrey, volunteer drivers are doing more than just giving lifts. They help neighbours get to appointments, pick up essentials and get out and about with others in their local area.

Run by local people, voluntary car schemes offer flexible, practical support for those who may find it difficult to use public transport. Volunteers can help with journeys to medical appointments, shopping, or collecting prescriptions, often providing a friendly chat along the way. You can also volunteer as a driver and make a real difference to people in your local area.

For those who need additional support, Dial-a-Ride provides a convenient door-to-door service. It helps people travel to appointments, shops and social activities, making it easier to stay independent and connected. You can find out more about the services available in your area, including how to join or volunteer, and whether you’re eligible to use them.

Did you know young people aged 20 and under can already apply for a LINK card, which gives 50% off adult bus fares in Surrey.

Connect To Support

Being connected to your community and the people around you can make a big difference to your mental health and wellbeing. The Connect to Support website can help you find local activities, groups and organisations, making it easier to get involved and feel connected.

Volunteering is another great way to be part of your local community. It offers the chance to give back, while also providing personal satisfaction, opportunities to meet others, and even experience to add to your CV.

Surrey has a thriving Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector, with a wide range of roles available. You can search for volunteering opportunities online.

Supporting nature on your doorstep

Community spirit in Surrey does not stop with people. It extends into the landscapes we share. Across the county, local groups and volunteers are helping to look after parks and green spaces for everyone to enjoy. Find out more about these opportunities and how you can get involved.

Community Nature Recovery Grant: £100,000 available to help your projects grow

The Community Nature Recovery Grant has returned for its second year, alongside Surrey’s first Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), helping to turn local ideas into action.

Last year, 29 projects helped bring people closer to nature while supporting local plants and wildlife. Communities came together to build ponds, put up bat and bird boxes, create bug hotels, and even add toad tunnels to keep wildlife safe. It’s a great example of what can happen when people work together to care for their local environment. Watch the video below to see the impact of the grant.

Community nature recovery grant - year 1 summary

This year, there is £100,000 available to support even more community-led projects, with grants between £1,500 and £5,000.

Whether it is creating a wildflower meadow, improving a community garden or helping local wildlife, these projects are helping to build a greener Surrey for everyone.

From Monday 1 June 2026, residents, groups and organisations can explore how to get involved and apply for funding on the Together for Surrey website.

Connecting Surrey’s communities through shared history

Surrey’s communities have been shaped over hundreds of years by people arriving, leaving and returning, bringing with them skills, traditions and stories that continue to shape the county today.

At the heart of preserving and sharing these shared histories, the Surrey History Centre helps connect communities with the records, voices and experiences that have defined Surrey’s rich and diverse past.

Discover local events and activities at the Surrey History Centre and explore the shared stories that have shaped Surrey’s communities.

Supporting Surrey’s Armed Forces community

Across Surrey, there is a strong but often unseen network of support for the Armed Forces community, including healthcare, housing, employment, financial support and mental health services.

Did you know there are 32,500 Ex-Service and Veterans living in Surrey? Veteran Hubs across the county provide a welcoming place where any of the Armed Forces community (serving and ex-service) and their family can go to chat with like-minded people or ask for some for help and advice.

The Forces Connect app links users to local and national organisations offering support across a wide range of services. It is free to download or use online on the Forces Connect website.