Surrey Choices

23/10/2025

🎃🌾 Join the Goldsworth Park Scarecrow Hunt! 🌾🎃

We are taking part in the first ever Scarecrow Hunt around Goldsworth Park and we’re so excited to introduce our very own special scarecrow, proudly standing at the entrance of Emily Lodge!

📅 25th–29th October 2025
💰 Raising funds for The Generation Centre, Goldsworth Park Guides & Scout HQ
Grab your friends and family and enjoy a weekend of spooky fun exploring the park, spotting creative scarecrows, and supporting a fantastic community cause!
🗺️ To join in, simply buy a map online via the JustGiving page
👉 https://www.justgiving.com/page/scarecrow-hunt-2

Make sure to tick the “receive a thank you” box so your email is shared and you get your map!

We can’t wait to see you scarecrow spotting around Goldsworth Park, come say hi to ours at Emily Lodge! 👩‍🌾

Help Scarecrow Hunt raise money to support Goldsworth Park district guides

22/10/2025

Terri, one of our incredible Shared Lives Carers, has been shortlisted for the Inclusive Star Award as part of Surrey County Council's Stars in Surrey Awards🌟

She was nominated by Beth, who Terri supports in her home to live independently and thrive. Beth wanted to recognise the amazing difference Terri has made in her life, from providing a secure and loving home, to helping manage medical conditions, boosting confidence, and supporting Beth to enjoy more social activities in the community. Terri truly goes above and beyond every day, and we’re delighted to see her kindness and dedication celebrated.

We look forward to celebrating all the finalists at the Stars in Surrey Awards Ceremony this December. 💫

Shared Lives Plus Community

20/10/2025

We’re proud to be featured in the Horsell Common Autumn Newsletter!

Our Growth Team has been working hard building swift and owl nest boxes, as well as a fantastic dead hedge at Heather Farm, helping to protect local wildlife and the River Bourne’s banks from erosion.

A huge thank you to the Horsell Common Preservation Society team for including us and for all the work you do to support nature in our community. 🌳

17/10/2025

The Cranstock team had a wonderful sensory day at 🌿 From taking in the colours, scents, and sounds of the gardens to enjoying freshly squeezed orange juice and lunch in the café, it’s the simple joys and shared moments that create lasting memories. Living life fully, together. ✨

14/10/2025

A huge congratulations to our latest Award winners! 💛
Your dedication, kindness, and commitment continue to shine. Whether it’s supporting others, finding creative solutions, or spreading positivity every day. We’re so proud of all that you do. 🌟

12/10/2025

🌟 Excellence, retained! 🌟
We’re delighted to share that Surrey Choices has once again achieved “Excellent” status under the Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF), retaining this national recognition for both our LSEi and Adult Services.

This confirms the continued excellence of our Supported Employment approach and the dedication of our teams who empower disabled and neurodivergent people to find, secure, and thrive in work.

Since first achieving this accolade last year, we’ve supported even more people into meaningful paid roles, from opportunities at , McDonald's, Waitrose & Partners, Waterstones, Guildford Spectrum Leisure Complex, to placements with local councils, community cafés, and schools. Each job represents a life changed and a more inclusive Surrey.

“This recognition isn’t just about an award, it’s about people. It shows the real impact that inclusive employment has on lives, workplaces, and communities across Surrey.”

A huge thank you to all our colleagues, employers, and partners who make this possible. Together, we’re creating a Surrey where everyone has the chance to work, grow, and belong.

10/10/2025

Here’s some of the ways how we’ve been helping our staff and customers look after their mental health 🌿💚

08/10/2025

Exciting news! We’ve been featured in Hub News' Care Sector Hub 🎉

The article highlights our recent survey showing that more than half of people in the UK haven’t yet heard of Shared Lives. This incredible programme offers a family-like environment and a more personal alternative to traditional residential care, helping to foster independence and community integration. 🏠

👉 Read the full article and learn more here:
hubpublishing.co.uk/over-50-of-uk-unfamiliar-with-cost-saving-social-care-method-despite-benefits/

Shared Lives Plus Community

New research from social care provider, Surrey Choices, revealed that over half of the UK public has never heard of Shared Lives, a community-based care model proven to deliver personal, cost-effec…

06/10/2025

Did you know 1 in 20 people have ADHD? And that ADHD was referenced in medical textbooks as far back as 1775?

This month is about raising awareness and understanding - acknowledging both the difficulties and the strengths. We want to support people with ADHD in developing strategies that help them thrive while celebrating what makes them unique.

Living with ADHD can bring real challenges:
🌀 Difficulties with concentration and sustaining attention
🌀 Forgetfulness in daily life
🌀 Struggles with organisation and managing time
🌀 Feeling overwhelmed by competing demands

We see your remarkable strengths:
💡 Boundless Curiosity
🎨 Amazing Creativity
⚡ Enthusiasm and Energy
🔍 Innovative problem-solving and fresh perspectives

While these are generalisations, everyone’s experience with ADHD is different. We would love to know how ADHD makes you unique - share your thoughts in the comments below. 💬

01/10/2025

Congratulations to our colleague Lydia Simpson on her nomination for The Make it Happen Star Award! 🎉

Through her leadership at Surrey Choices, Lydia has built partnerships with over 100 community organisations, creating supported volunteering opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autism. From the welcoming The Lucan Tea Room in Laleham to her team’s work with Tice’s Meadow nature reserve, Lydia’s projects bring people together, champion inclusion, and protect our environment. 💚👏✨

Our Stars in Surrey 2025 nominees have officially been announced!

You can find the full list of nominees for each category by visiting our website, you can follow the link in the comments.

A big well done to everyone who’s been nominated, and heartfelt thanks to those who took the time to nominate their local heroes.

Keep an eye out for the finalist announcement, we’ll soon be revealing the shortlist.

01/10/2025

The Community Choices Team in Woking hosted a Macmillan Cancer Support Coffee Morning and raised an amazing £310! 🎉

The team came together to decorate, bake, and plan – and had lots of fun along the way. 🍰

The Group would like to thank Area Operations Manager Janine, along with our other Hubs – Cranstock, Camberley Community, The Harbour, and Farnham Community, for their support and for joining them on the day.

We’re also grateful to all the staff, customers, parents, and Carers who donated raffle items and helped make the morning such a fantastic success. 💚☕

30/09/2025

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can make a difference? At Surrey Choices, we know that working in care isn’t just a job, it’s a fulfilling career path where every day is about empowering people to live their best lives.

👩‍💼 A role in care is varied, rewarding, and full of opportunities to grow. It’s about supporting people, building meaningful relationships, and developing skills that will stay with you for life.

💡We are committed to equipping our teams with the right training, encouragement, and support to help them thrive.

✨ Our Work Experience Programme is a great way to see what a career in care is really like. Recently, we had the joy of welcoming Julia, who brought warmth, enthusiasm, and positivity from her very first day. She quickly became a valued member of the team, and on her last day, she surprised us with chocolates and a handwritten card that left us all touched.

Julia – thank you for your hard work and kindness 🌟

If you’d like to explore a career in care, find out more about our Work Experience Programme:
👉www.surreychoices.com/work-for-us/work-experience-programme/