June is Communities Month

Seven ways communities are Making It Happen

The Month of Community is a time when we come together to celebrate everything that makes our communities great. It's an opportunity to bring our neighbourhoods closer, give back, and shine a light on the amazing communities we live in. Empowering Communities is one of Surrey County Council's key corporate strategies and detailed below are some of the ways we are working closely with communities in Surrey to Make It Happen.

1. Empowering Communities to Make It Happen

Make It Happen is about giving people a say in the future of their local area, in a meaningful way, through fresh engagement activity. We want to help put people in charge of their own lives – equip residents to help themselves and each other, to feel invested in their 'place' and make communities more sustainable. It's about joining up and joining in. Check out the Make It Happen web pages to see what opportunities there are for you in your local area to get involved and help shape the future of your local area.

2. Platinum Jubilee community events

The biggest community event this happening this month in Surrey will undoubtedly be the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. If you haven't been able to organise a street party or Big Lunch in your area then check out what Surrey Libraries have organised to ensure that no one doesn't get an opportunity to get together with others in their local area. Visit the Surrey County Council Queen's Platinum Jubilee web pages.

3. Volunteers Week 1 to 7 June

It's Volunteers Week 1 June to 7 June which is our chance to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers in Surrey for all they do to help our communities daily. Find out more about Volunteering in Surrey in our Surrey Matters article about Volunteers Week 1 to 7 June.

4. Saying thanks to Surrey's COVID heroes

We are celebrating all those Community Heroes that helped during COVID with the COVID Heroes E-Book of thanks – to express your thanks go to the E-Book of Thanks web page.

5. £100m Your Fund Surrey capital funding for communities

To come up with a community project idea residents are encouraged to speak to their local county councillor, community groups, neighbours and friends about what could be achieved in their area and see what ideas might already be being developed. Find out more about in this Surrey Matters article all about Your Fund Surrey to date.

6. Social Value MarketPlace connecting communities and organisations

Social Value Marketplace is a tool that can help make connections between organisations, who are waiting to offer all sorts of help, and individuals. Whether that's meeting spaces, skills and knowledge sharing, equipment or volunteers to help with gardening, painting or decorating. Read the Surrey Matters Social Value MarketPlace article to find out more.

7. Refugee Week 20 to 26 June

Commenting on the support being offered for those fleeing the war in Ukraine, Surrey County Council leader Tim Oliver said "At this incredibly difficult time for Ukraine, I am heartened to see the country pull together as it has done and step up to support those who have been displaced by this despicable invasion. We will continue to work with the Government to ensure everyone has all they need to provide whatever help we can, while making it as straightforward as possible to do so. Finally, let me add my thanks to the residents of Surrey and the whole country for everything that they have done so far."

Information on how communities are helping support Ukrainians settle in Surrey are detailed in this Surrey Matters Article What Support is Available for Ukrainians?

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