A message from Surrey County Council

At Surrey County Council, we aim to help you live well, safely and independently in your home and community. Our approach is to focus on what’s important to you and recognise your personal strengths and the support around you, which will help you stay connected to your community. We want to make sure you’re central to decisionmaking about your care and support.

Support where you live

Surrey has a huge network of voluntary, community and faith organisations that support residents in their local communities. The Surrey Information Point website (www.surreyinformationpoint.org.uk ) hosts information about a range of support and services, which can help you stay independent, safe and well.

Whether you or someone you know is looking for equipment for your home, meal deliveries, groups to join to reduce loneliness, or help with cooking, shopping, cleaning or family finances, the website is a one-stop shop for the information. You can also find support if you’re a carer looking after a loved one.

Alongside this Directory, Surrey Information Point can help you search online for local care providers, including registered home care agencies.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, some groups, services and activities may have had to change how they operate. It’s recommended that you check with the activity, group or service to determine availability and get the most up-to-date information.

Self-help

We’re focused as a council on working in preventative ways so that residents are supported at an early stage for their independence and wellbeing. This helps to prevent people’s needs from escalating, wherever possible. We raise awareness of the ways that residents can manage their social care needs before they’re unable to do so. This includes promoting selfhelp and self-care where appropriate.

Our website (www.surreycc.gov.uk/adultsocialcare ) has further information and features a web chat function to help resolve your queries quickly.

The ‘Staying independent’ pages on our website contain a wealth of information about the new technology and equipment available that can support you according to your needs. Practical aids, smart devices, small changes to your home or simple equipment can make the difference between living independently and needing someone to help you and can also make caring for someone easier.

We also promote services to improve people’s health. If you’re experiencing loneliness or low mood, or if you’re looking to make lifestyle changes, such as getting more active, social prescribing services can help. Surrey Information Point has further details.

Joined-up approach

Our approach is to help build resilience and independence. We help people access information, advice and support in their community and family to help themselves and each other. We may provide some direct support for a short period until a person’s independence grows, such as regaining skills and confidence after an illness or injury so they can do things for themselves and stay independent. Some people may require longer term support due to the complexity of their needs, but we will aim to reduce services over time with growing independence.

As part of this, we want people to experience health, social and community partners working together to meet their needs.

Paying for your own care

If you’re arranging and paying for your care yourself, you can access essential information at www.surreycc.gov.uk/arrangingyourowncare to help you make informed choices. We are closely following developments with adult social care reforms and will be updating our information accordingly, so our residents know what the changes mean for them.