Surrey Choices

26/03/2026

Spring has sprung 🌱 It’s great to be back out in the sunshine and getting stuck into a new growing season at the allotments. After all the hard work last year building their new shed, the team are ready to make the most of the space and start another year of planting, learning and growing together. We can’t wait to see what fantastic things the team will grow and accomplish this year! 🌻

21/03/2026

When Sara arrived at her work placement earlier this week, she was presented with a certificate and badge celebrating 1 year of volunteering! She continues to step out of her comfort zone and shines bright everyday. Go Sara! 🌟

19/03/2026

Have your say on PIP.

The Timms Review wants to hear how Personal Independence Payments work for people with a learning disability. They are looking at how PIP can be better.

You can share your thoughts by 28 May 2026 here: https://ow.ly/cwSE50YvB9o 💭

The Timms Review steering group wants to hear from you on the future of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

The group is co-producing the first ever full review of PIP, with disabled people at its heart.

Today, the group is launching the first step in their inclusive and accessible engagement - a Call for Evidence on a range of issues related to PIP. They will be sharing information on more ways to get involved soon.

Submit your views at by 28 May 2026 at: https://ow.ly/cwSE50YvB9o

18/03/2026

Stories that Inspire: Meet George 👋
From building confidence to thriving in a fast-paced London hospital pharmacy, George has grown in independence, self-belief and found what helps him succeed at work. 🌟

16/03/2026

This Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we’re celebrating the strengths that neurodivergent people bring to the workplace and our communities. 💪

Matt, who works at one of the top primary schools in Surrey shared:
“My ADHD gives me the energy and creativity to keep children engaged. It also helps me relate to neurodivergent pupils who sometimes feel misunderstood.”

Neurodiversity brings different perspectives, creativity, and empathy. Qualities that make workplaces and classrooms stronger.

12/03/2026

Kim, who works at The Lucan Tea Room, has been busy in the kitchen creating something special… beetroot and chocolate cake 🍫 Who says chocolate cake can’t be good for you?

Kim, like many of the team, is developing valuable hospitality and catering skills while whipping up amazing treats for everyone who visits the café. From baking techniques to customer service, the team are building confidence and experience every day. 👩‍🍳

Make sure you visit the Tea Room in Laleham for a delicious breakfast, lunch or cake treat. 🍰

09/03/2026

Our lives get better when they're shared. 💛

Shared Lives in Surrey is thriving. The scheme has grown by 35%, and our incredible Carers continue to change lives every day.

We’re so proud of this community and the amazing people who make it what it is.

We’re always looking for more compassionate people to join our growing network of Shared Lives Carers, and help even more people feel at home. Get in touch with us to join our incredible team.

Shared Lives Plus Community 🌟

05/03/2026

This , we’re celebrating a story created with and for the people we support 📚🌿

We’re excited to be part of a Beyond Words book about exploring the Surrey Hills, co-produced with Active Prospects,

Thanks to funding through our partnership with the Surrey Hills Society and our work with Surrey Hills National Landscape, this project became a reality. The aim is to inspire more people to get out into the countryside in a way that is accessible to them.

It’s been fantastic to see everyone sharing their ideas and helping to shape the story. We can’t wait to see the finished book this summer. 💚

04/03/2026

Today we remember Ashley, a much-loved member of our Camberley Community Group.

Ashley had a big smile and a truly kind heart. He brought warmth and joy to those around him and was a valued part of Surrey Choices for many years.

He will be deeply missed by friends, colleagues and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Our thoughts are with his family and those closest to him.
❤️

02/03/2026

From finding it hard to step outside the front door… to stepping confidently into paid employment. 🌟

Our Supported Internship programme is helping young people who are not in employment, education or training to grow in confidence, build independence and develop real, transferable workplace skills.

This short clip comes from a video featured in a presentation our colleagues recently delivered at the Internships Work Conference 2026, hosted by National Development Team for Inclusion - NDTi for Inclusion. It highlights when support, belief and opportunity come together, futures change. 🚀

27/02/2026

Such a heart-warming experience seeing the incredible volunteers in action at Stripey Stork this week.

Every week, Stripey Stork supports around 300 families by turning good-quality donated clothes, toys and toiletries into practical help. Giving items a new lease of life and keeping them out of landfill ♻️ It was amazing to see community action, social inclusion and environmental responsibility all working hand in hand.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to their community. Inclusive volunteering builds confidence, develops skills, strengthens wellbeing and creates real social value. 🌟

Sinead, Nick and Chris volunteer at Stripey Stork. Building their teamwork, coordination and communication skills along the way. They have been busy sorting baby and children’s clothes by size. These donated essentials will soon be supporting local families, something Nick is incredibly proud of. “I enjoy coming to Stripey Stork as I know that we are helping families in need.” 💬

We are proud to support such an inspiring cause and to see the people we support thriving through giving back 🤝

A big thank you to Councillor Ruth Ritter for showing us around and sharing more about the fantastic work taking place.

Stripey Stork are always looking for volunteers and donations for babies through to teenagers if you’re looking for a way to make a difference. 🙏

26/02/2026

Today at Surrey Choices, our managers are taking part in ongoing menopause awareness training, building on sessions first delivered last year.

Why? Because menopause is part of life, and part of working life too. At Surrey Choices:
• 73% of our workforce are women
• 60% of our female colleagues are aged 44 and over

We signed the Menopause Workplace Pledge to recognise that menopause can affect colleagues in different ways, and to make sure we create a workplace where people feel supported.

Nationally, 1 in 10 women leave employment due to menopause symptoms. Supportive management can make the difference between someone stepping back, or stepping forward with confidence.

Symptoms can sometimes affect sleep, concentration and self-belief. Having managers who understand this and who feel confident having supportive conversations really matters.

After today’s training, managers will return to their teams to share that they are open and confident to talk. We want Surrey Choices to be a workplace where women feel able to continue thriving, at every stage of life. Wellbeing of Women