Surrey Coalition of Disabled People

10/09/2026

We're keen to hear from our members about their experiences with Access to Work.

Whether you have used the scheme, are currently using it, or have not accessed it at all, your feedback is invaluable. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey and tell us about your experience, what has worked well, what challenges you've faced, and, if you haven't used Access to Work, the reasons why.

Your insights will help us build a campaign focused on driving positive change, ensuring the system better meets the needs of Disabled people and those with health conditions. By sharing your views on how Access to Work works in practice, where it falls short, and what improvements you'd like to see, you'll help shape our recommendations and strengthen our voice when advocating for a more effective and accessible service.

Survey link : https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=04NEH2vc8EK8yuEL94UVu1UW2_SN-MVEiBVM3LMiPstUQzBSV0NCU0xBMzZQRDBNUzFFQkxISEwyVy4u&route=shorturl

[Image description: person at a desk smiling on a phone call and with a computer in front of them.]

10/09/2026

**It's Lipreading Awareness Week! 👄**

Here's a fact that might surprise you: less than half of English speech can actually be seen on the lips. Even skilled lipreaders only catch around 10-30% of words — the rest is smart guesswork, using context and memory to fill in the gaps.

So next time someone who lipreads asks "what are you talking about?" — skip the one-word answer. "Work" tells them nothing. Try:

*"Jo's boss just called a surprise meeting — that's what's got us all groaning."*

That small extra detail is the difference between being left out and being let in.

**Quick tips:**
✅ Face them, keep your mouth visible
✅ Give context, not just topics
✅ Speak clearly, don't shout
✅ Rephrase, don't just repeat

More at lipreadingawareness.org.uk 🔗

08/09/2026

Nominations for the Benefact Group £1000 draw are now open

The Benefact group will be drawing the next 100 charities to be awarded £1,000 in this year's Benefact Group Movement for Good Awards. It would be great if The Coalition received nominations for the draw.

There is a total of £100,000 to donate and they’ll draw 20 charities a day between 7th - 11th September.

It’s one nomination per charity per person, so you can nominate as many charities as you like.

Nomination link: https://movementforgood.com/draws/1000?utm_source=Email-giving&utm_campaign=12days24-launch&cmp=1&utm_medium=HTMLEmail

Nominate a charity for a Movement for Good award now.

07/09/2026

Buckingham Palace are inviting Surrey Coalition of Disabled People for a Community Tour of the Palace on Tuesday 15th September 2026 at 14:00.

The visit is a guided tour of approximately 90 minutes and is taking place when Buckingham Palace is closed to the general public, so we will have exclusive access.

We will need to make our way there by public transport. If you are a member of The Coalition and interested in joining the tour please contact the Involvement Team: Email: [email protected] Phone: 01483 456558 SMS: 07908671402

[Image description: graphic of a formal letter with Buckingham Palace logo at the top, the following text 'Buckingham Palace are inviting Surrey Coalition of Disabled People for a Community Tour of the Palace on Tuesday 15th September 2026 at 14:00' and a graphic of the palace.]

07/09/2026

Tell us your experiences of teeth and mouth care in care homes - If you or your friend or relative live in a care home, or you work in one - then we would like to hear from you.

As well as visiting some care homes, we also have an online survey where you can share your experiences -

Live in a care home, or are a friend or family member: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/OralHealthCareHomesResidentFamilyHwsy2026-27/
Work in a care home: https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/OralHealthCareHomesStaffHwsy2026-27/

Please note: Responses to these surveys are anonymous. The closing date for the survey is 15 November 2026.

Need a paper copy or prefer to share your experience in your own words? You can get in touch with our Helpdesk, who also provide information and signposting about health and social care services:
Phone: 0303 303 0023
SMS (text only): 07592 787 533
WhatsApp: 07592 787 533
Email: [email protected].

[Image description: At the top is a graphic of the roof of a house, under the roof are the words - Do you, a relative or a friend live in a care home? Or do you work in one? Underneath is a graphic of a toothbrush and toothpaste with the words:We would like to hear about experiences of teeth and mouth care in the care home. At the bottom are 3 icons of ways people can communicate: As well as visiting homes to hear from people we also have an online survey - We'd love to hear from you - survey closes 15 November. At the top of the image are the Luminus and Healthwatch Surrey logos.]

04/09/2026

It's been great working with the East Surrey Museum, Rural Life Living Museum and Guildford Museum on improving accessibility for visitors.

Megan, our Involvement Officer at The Coalition spoke to BBC Radio Surrey this morning about the project, you can listen via the following link and the interview starts at 2:09:30: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030lsc

Thank you to the Surrey Cultural Partnership, Community Foundation for Surrey and The National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting this project through the Surrey Heritage For All fund.

Three museums in Surrey have celebrated the completion of a project to improve accessibility for disabled visitors.

More here: https://bbc.in/4iLSs2T

04/09/2026

Need support getting online? We’re here to help!

Tech Angels has partnered with Dorking Healthcare to offer free, friendly support sessions to help you get online and build your confidence using digital technology.

We can help you:
• Get started using the internet
• Send emails and make video calls
• Shop online safely
• Access online services and virtual social activities
• And much more!

When and where?
🕑Wednesday 30th of September 2pm-5pm
📍At The Pavilion, Pixham Lane, Dorking
Come along for:
A cup of tea
A friendly chat
One-to-one support from our welcoming volunteers

Complimentary tea, coffee and cakes courtesy of the Pixham Residents Association. No experience is needed, and there's no pressure, just friendly help at your own
pace.

To find out more or to book an appointment, contact the Dorking Healthcare
Live Well Service on: 01306 733 536 or [email protected].

[Image description: poster with the information in the caption, the Tech Angels logo, Dorking Healthcare GP Federation logo and Pixham logo are at the top.]

DHC GP Federation

03/09/2026

Share your experience: adult social care

How satisfied are you with the care and support services you use in Surrey? What works well, and where are the gaps or challenges?

The Coalition is working with Surrey County Council to develop a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). The JSNA will explore the current and future health and social care needs of people with physical disabilities and sensory impairments in Surrey.

Your experiences and feedback are important and will help shape the findings and recommendations of the report. Please share your thoughts by emailing [email protected]

[Image description: social worker and a man sat on a sofa smiling.]

31/08/2026

We're super proud of our lovely Rowley!! Fantastic news and very much deserved! Congratulations to Megan and Rowley!

Assistance dog Rowley who has alerted his owner Megan to more than 6,000 medical episodes over eight years has received a PDSA award.

More here: https://bbc.in/4yesVnG

31/08/2026

What a lovely morning of learning, creating and connecting!

We enjoyed a session of natural balm making and tea tasting, while learning more about herbs and how they can support our health and wellbeing. It was a wonderful opportunity to try something new, share experiences and enjoy a relaxing morning together.

A big thank you to Windlesham Wellbeing for running the activity and to Bupa Foundation for funding the project.

To join our next wellbeing activity in Staines-upon-Thames please contact Kirsty: Email: [email protected] Tel/SMS: 07871 319 439

[Image description: three photos from the balm making and tea testing. The first is of a group of attendees looking at herbs outside, the second two are of people making the balms and tea.]