How Can Life Skills Training Empower Independence?

At Surrey Choices, we believe everyone deserves the chance to live a life of their choosing. For many of the people we support, gaining independence isn’t just about learning practical tasks — it’s about building confidence, making decisions and becoming more involved in their community. One of the most effective ways to support this journey…

Sue Coleman smiles at the camera while seated in a cosy, well-lit setting. She wears glasses and a grey jumper. The image is framed with colourful stars and the text "Colleague Spotlight" and "Sue Coleman". The Surrey Choices logo appears at the top left corner.

Colleague Spotlight: Sue Coleman 

This month’s spotlight shines on Sue Coleman, an Employment Support Specialist with the EmployAbility East team. Since joining Surrey Choices in August 2023, Sue has drawn on her extensive mental health experience to create safe, supportive spaces for her colleagues — launching regular wellbeing sessions that are already making a difference.   A Passion for…

A large group of people, appearing to be diverse in age, gender, and ethnicity, are gathered outdoors on a sunny day, posing for a celebratory group photo. They are standing and sitting on steps, raising their hands, cheering, and smiling. Many are wearing lanyards, suggesting a work-related or organisational event. The group includes individuals racialised as white, Black, and other people of colour, with a mix of physical features such as different hairstyles, glasses, and various body types. Some people are wearing dresses, skirts, or suits, while others are in more casual attire. A woman in the front row is seated in a wheelchair with a prosthetic leg, participating enthusiastically with raised hands. Several large white balloons with "Surrey Choices" branding are floating in the background, tied with colourful ribbons. The setting appears to be an outdoor courtyard or terrace with brick and stone architecture, balustrades, and a blue awning. The bright sunlight casts strong shadows on the ground.

Surrey Choices renews Disability Confident Leader status

  We’re thrilled to announce that Surrey Choices has successfully renewed its Disability Confident Leader status! This achievement extends our commitment to disability inclusion until January 2027. This isn’t just a badge to us; it signifies our dedication to championing inclusivity and demonstrating best practices for other employers.   The Disability Confident scheme is a…

A person with short, dark hair, who could be gendered as female based on appearance, is shown selecting clothes from a rack. They are wearing a black apron with text and images on it, over a white jacket. Behind them is a display of colourful children's books and toys, including a red frog-shaped toy. The setting is a charity shop. The image is part of a case study titled 'Seema,' as indicated by text on the right, along with the 'Surrey Choices' logo and the tagline 'Every Life, Every Chance.

Case Study: Empowering Individuals Through Supported Volunteering

Surrey Choices is committed to empowering disabled and autistic people to reach their full potential. By providing tailored support and guidance, it helps people overcome barriers and achieve meaningful employment opportunities. Supported Volunteering is a key component of this mission, offering a structured pathway to develop essential skills and gain valuable work experience.   The…

This is an image of a man, smiling and looking off to the side, in an indoor setting with modern decor. He has light skin, short light brown hair, and appears to be standing near a planter with greenery. He is wearing a black t-shirt and dark jeans, with a watch on his left wrist. He could be racialised as white based on his physical features. The setting has a contemporary and clean design, and a person can be seen working in the background at a table with a laptop. The right half of the image features a white background with bold black text that says "Case Study" followed by "Meet Lee" in smaller font. Above the text is a logo for "Surrey Choices," which includes colourful dots and the tagline "Every Life, Every Chance." Below the text is a purple icon of a stylised person with a heart symbol on their chest.

Case Study: Lee’s Journey Towards Independence and Fulfillment

Surrey Choices’ Vocational Projects service helps people with disabilities transition to meaningful volunteer and work placements. By building confidence, independence and employability, this service enables individuals to contribute their unique skills to the workforce, benefiting both them and the organisations they work with.   Lee, a 38-year-old gentleman with Autism and Epilepsy, has thrived since…

an "Employee Spotlight" recognition featuring a woman named Cheryl Knight. She is standing in front of a colorful stage backdrop, wearing a metallic dress, holding an award, and smiling. The logo of "Surrey Choices" with the tagline "Every Life, Every Chance" appears in the upper left corner. The design is decorated with colourful star-like shapes.

Colleague Spotlight: Cheryl Knight 

The Travel Trainer Making a Difference This month, we’re shining a spotlight on Travel Choices Manager, Cheryl Knight, who recently won the prestigious Care Worker of the Year award at the Surrey Care Awards. Cheryl’s innovative work with Travel Choices is transforming the lives of individuals with disabilities, empowering them to gain independence and explore…

A photo of Emma dressed as a witch from Harry Potter, there are red balloons behind her. Text wraps around the image that says Surrey Choices Spotlight of the Month

Colleague Spotlight: Emma Phelan

Emma Phelan is a dedicated Employment Support Specialist at Surrey Choices, where she has been making a significant impact on the lives of individuals with neurodivergence, learning difficulties and mental health conditions. As part of the Work Wise IPS Programme, Emma can help even more people find suitable paid employment that aligns with their skills…