Surrey Choices

17/07/2025

: Back at RHS Hampton Court! 🌿

At the start of the month, Surrey Choices returned to the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival — and what an event it was! 💚

Our garden, designed and handmade by disabled and autistic people at the Fernleigh Community Hub, told powerful stories through beautiful, meaningful details. From a vintage suitcase bursting with flowers to a handcrafted boat symbolising future adventures, every element reflected creativity, independence, and community spirit.

A bicycle stood proudly to represent independence, while a cosy reading nook with teacups invited visitors to pause for tea and a chat, and everything was nestled among cascading greenery and vintage details that brought the stories to life.

🎥 Want to see what made this display truly special? Watch the video below to discover the creativity, heart, and teamwork behind our garden at RHS Hampton Court.

Thank you to everyone who visited, shared their stories, and celebrated with us. This garden wasn’t just about flowers — it was about connection, wellbeing, and what we can grow together. 🌱

15/07/2025

More of our woodland adventures! 🌳

Thank yous to Beyond Words and Belinda Evans 💚

11/07/2025

📚✨ What an amazing day out in the sunshine at Newlands Corner! People supported by Surrey Choices and Active Prospects joined a walking workshop with Books Beyond Words to explore, connect, and share stories of outdoor adventures 🌳☀

Together, we're co-creating a beautiful new picture-based book all about the joy and accessibility of the Surrey Hills, shaped by lived experience. Huge thanks to Gordon and Kate from the Surrey Hills Society for guiding us on an accessible and inspiring route through ancient yew trees. 🌿🍂

This inclusive project is all about creativity, connection, and co-production – and we can’t wait for the book to launch in summer 2026!

10/07/2025

This Disability Pride Month, we’re celebrating three remarkable people who are not just speaking up. They’re changing the system from within.

Meet Tom, Matt and Niamh - co-trainers of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism.

They’re not delivering a script.
They’re sharing lived experience.
And they’re doing it with honesty, strength and pride.

💙 Tom:
"It’s made me feel even prouder to be autistic and to be carrying on Oliver’s legacy."
From being diagnosed at 2.5 years old to leading nine training sessions, Tom brings insight and warmth to every room he walks into.

💙 Matt:
"Doctors didn’t listen to me. It made me feel anxious, depressed and frustrated. Now, I help make sure that what happened to Oliver doesn’t happen again."
Matt turns past pain into power - standing in front of groups of 40+ to teach professionals how to really listen and support.

💙 Niamh:
"I feel like I’m making a real difference — and I’m proud of that."
Autistic and driven, Niamh’s message is clear: small adjustments can have a life-changing impact.

This is what “Nothing About Us, Without Us” looks like.
It looks like leadership.
It looks like lived experience.
It looks like pride.

These three aren’t just part of the conversation - they’re leading it. And in doing so, they’re helping ensure that what happened to Oliver never happens again.

💙 This month - and every month - we honour their voices, their stories, and their courage.

10/07/2025

What a beautiful day! 💚🌲 A huge thank you to Surrey Hills Society for its support getting us out and about among nature.

07/07/2025

🎉 It’s Disability Pride Month, and at Surrey Choices, we’re celebrating the strength, resilience and talents of disabled people in our community! 💪

Pride Month is about more than awareness - it’s about celebrating identity, challenging stereotypes and recognising that every person deserves to live with dignity and purpose.

At Surrey Choices, we work alongside amazing individuals every day who inspire us with their courage, creativity and drive. Whether it's through supported employment, independent living, or community involvement, we’re proud to be part of their journey.

This month (and every month), we’re standing proud with our disability community. 💚✨

👉 Let us know how you're celebrating Disability Pride Month in the comments below!

07/07/2025

Our next pledge is to establish partnerships for nature.

Protecting nature is crucial for our planet's future, and "partnerships for nature" are key. It involves people from a variety of groups and organisations working together to make more sustainable choices that protect our planet. Here's how you can help:

Find groups in your local area that protect nature and see how you can help them. The smallest of things can make a difference!
Join community projects, including clean-ups and tree planting - anything that helps your local environment.
Speak to influential people, local government officials and representatives about the importance of sustainability to get them on board.

We believe that any changes, however big and small, helps to make a real difference.

Our entire team and all of our wonderful customers are excited to embark on this journey towards a greener future!

Stay tuned for more updates on our sustainability initiatives!

05/07/2025

What a lovely Shared Lives Week we had last week! 💙

It was jam-packed with:
🍔 A beautiful BBQ on a sunny day
🧺 A picturesque picnic for Shared Lives customers and their carers, held at Hampton Court Palace 🪻
🎯 A fun-filled day at Surrey Outdoor Learning & Development (SOLD), building on teamwork and confidence with activities such as seesaw balancing, bridge building, assault courses and archery!
🍰 A super social at Epsom and an afternoon tea at the Lucan Tea Room - which raised awareness of the scheme and inspired others to consider becoming Shared Lives Carers

If all that sounds like fun and you think you have the heart and the home to support someone with additional needs from your home environment, check out: https://www.surreychoices.com/what-surrey-choices-does/short-breaks-and-shared-lives/shared-lives/

03/07/2025

Our Growth Team recently took part in a rewarding and hands-on experience at Rosamund Gardens, just outside Guildford. 🌿

The team supported the construction of a roundhouse using traditional cobbing techniques – a sustainable method where clay, sand, straw and water are mixed by hand and applied to wattle walls.

This unique project encouraged teamwork, skill-building and sensory learning in a truly inspiring outdoor setting.

We’re proud to support meaningful experiences that connect people with nature, community and practical skills.

👉 To see more of the garden and its wonderful community projects, visit the Rosamund Community Garden Facebook group:
🔗 facebook.com/guildfordcommunitygarden

02/07/2025

🚀 Big news at Surrey Choices!

We're excited to share that one of our incredible leaders, HR and Organisational Development Director, Jen Fielder, will be a key speaker at a national UPFRONT Masterclass – talking all about confidence, leadership, and supporting women in the public sector. 💬✨

Even better? We’ve signed up every woman at Surrey Choices to take part in the UPFRONT Bond – a powerful 6-week online programme all about building confidence at work and beyond.

💜 What’s a Bond? It’s a group of women learning together, lifting each other up, and gaining tools to lead, influence, and inspire.

The course is running for:
⏱️ 2-3 hours a week, including short, flexible sessions
👩💼 ALL women at Surrey Choices

We're so proud to be part of a movement that puts people first – even when times are tough. 💬💼

🔗 Join the masterclass and learn more here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/laurencurrie_the-public-sector-is-watching-surrey-activity-7343895897551818752-XhCR?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAgdS0AB8-DgSx51xrxuom8VrsvrSSkBMLU

👏 Let’s hear it for Jen, for the women at Surrey Choices, and for the power of saying YES to leadership and confidence!

The public sector is watching 👀 … Surrey Choices is public service provider, owned by Surrey County Council. National Trust is one of the UK’s most well-known charities. What do they have in common? Both said yes to the UPFRONT Bond — not because they had extra budget lying around. Not beca...

02/07/2025

Come along to The Lucan Tea Room-turned-studio for end of year photos on the 4th and 9th of July!

01/07/2025

Emily Lodge Short Breaks: A Home from Home

At Emily Lodge, short breaks are more than just time away — they’re about feeling safe, supported, and happy.

With a welcoming, homely atmosphere, every guest is treated with care and respect, enjoying the experience they truly deserve.

“It feels like a home, and our children are happy.” – A sentiment shared by so many families who trust us with their loved ones.

Guests can enjoy our peaceful sensory garden, explore the sensory room, and take part in fun, meaningful activities that help build independence, encourage friendship, and create lasting memories.

Whether it’s making new friends, relaxing in calm spaces, or just having fun, Emily Lodge is a place where everyone can shine.

Find out why services such as Emily Lodge are so important from two parent (and carers) of Emily Lodge guests below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLtfeZUTlKk&t=116s