Support in Surrey to keep you safe and well
This guide provides information about help and support available in Surrey to help you stay independent, safe and well, including:
- Staying Safe
- Abuse and safeguarding
- Scams and fraud
- Money, benefits and advice
- Health
- Disability
- Equipment and technology
- Transport and travel
- Loneliness and social contact
- Looking after someone who needs help
- Social Prescribing
- Veterans
- Further information
- Request this in another format or language
Please note this is not a comprehensive list and details of more groups, activities and services are available online.
Staying Safe
Priority Services Register
If someone has a serious or chronic illness, a disability, has or cares for someone living with dementia, is of pensionable age, has children under five in their household, has refrigerated medicines or relies of medical equipment then the Priority Services Register will ensure that people receive extra support if there is a power cut:
Website: www.thepsr.co.uk
Safe and well checks – Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS)
If you, a family member, or someone you care for, is considered more at risk of fire, because they are less able to notice or escape to safety when a smoke alarm goes off, then there's extra protection and support available across Surrey. SFRS offers a free online home safety check and if you then require additional care and attention SFRS will be in touch to arrange a free safe and well visit:
- Telephone: 0800 085 0767
- Text (SMS): 07971 691 898
- British Sign Language: www.surreycc.gov.uk/bsl
- Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/safeandwell
Surrey Police Pegasus Card
This is for anyone who has a disability or illness that may make it hard to communicate with the police in an emergency or difficult situation:
- Email: contactmgtadministration@surrey.pnn.police.uk
- Website: www.surrey.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us/us/contact-us/sspegasus-scheme/pegasus-card-scheme/
Emergency Alerts
A free service which has been set up by the UK Government to warn people about any serious threats to life nearby for example severe flooding, fires or extreme weather and which works through mobile phones and devices:
Website: www.gov.uk/alerts
Pest Control
Local district and borough councils provide pest control services to remove pests like wasps, rats, mice and bedbugs. GOV.UK offers more information and can help you find which local council covers your area:
Website: www.gov.uk/report-pest-problem
Abuse and safeguarding
If you have care and support needs and are at risk of abuse or neglect, or you suspect someone else is, please report it now:
Emergencies
Telephone: 999 for the police.
Concerns for an adult
- Telephone: 0300 470 910
- Textphone (via Relay UK): 18001 0300 200 1005
- Text (SMS): 07527 182 861 (for the deaf or hard of hearing)
- British Sign Language: www.surreycc.gov.uk/bsl
- Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/reportingadultabuse
Domestic abuse
Help and support for anyone experiencing domestic abuse in Surrey:
- Telephone: 01483 776822
- Textphone (via Relay UK): 18001 01483 776822
- Website: www.surreyagainstda.info
Scams and fraud
Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards
Scammers, fraudsters, rogue traders - there are many names for individuals or companies that attempt to obtain money or personal information by being misleading, coercive or by simply lying.
Scams can take place in a number of ways, for example on your doorstep, post, phone (including SMS text or other messaging service) or online (including email, social media or fake websites).
Remember these three pointers:
- Say no to doorstep callers
- If it seems too good to be true, it probably is
- Unsolicited phone calls - it's not impolite, it's your right to hang up
More help and information from Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards is available online:
Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/scams
Action Fraud
The UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime and includes help and reporting on scams, cybercrime or fraud:
- Telephone: 0300 123 2040
- Textphone: 0300 123 2050
- Website: www.actionfraud.police.uk/reporting-fraud-and-cyber-crime
Money, benefits and advice
Cost of living help and support
The Community Helpline can signpost you to relevant local support and help. The Surrey County Council website also offers information for people who are struggling financially, need welfare help and support or need support with health and mental wellbeing, such as foodbanks, energy saving schemes and warm
hubs:
- Telephone: 0300 200 1008 (Community Helpline)
- Text (SMS): 0786 0053 465 (for the deaf and hard of hearing)
- British Sign Language: www.surreycc.gov.uk/bsl
- Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/essential
Money Helper
Offers free, impartial guidance which is backed by the government and can also offer further, trusted support if you need it. Offers advice on consumer rights, benefits, banking, debt, pensions and retirement and employment and unemployment:
Website: www.moneyhelper.org.uk
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice offer free help and advice on topics including benefits, debt and money, consumer rights, housing, law, immigration and health:
- Telephone Adviceline: 0800 144 8848
- Textphone (via Relay UK): 18001 0800 144 8848
- Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Planning for your future
Planning ahead and knowing what your care options are, can help you to make informed decisions and help you, or your loved ones, be more prepared for when you may need care and support.
Visit the Planning for your future online information hub and have a look at the information available including the Planning for your future Checklist. Alternatively, please contact Age UK Surrey directly:
- Telephone: 01483 446627
- Text (SMS): 0759 313 9560
- Email: planningforyourfuture@ageuksurrey.org.uk
- Website: www.ageuk.org.uk/surrey/planningforyourfuture
Health
NHS app
Using the NHS app gives quicker access to NHS services including your GP surgery:
Website: www.nhs.uk/nhs-app
NHS 111
For urgent health advice:
- Telephone: 111
- Textphone (via Relay UK): 18001 111
- British Sign Language: www.signvideo.co.uk/nhs111
- Website: www.111.nhs.uk
Mental Health Crisis Helpline
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for mental health advice and support in Surrey:
- Telephone: 0800 915 4644
- Text (SMS): 07717 989 024 (for the deaf or hard of hearing)
- Textphone (via Relay UK): 18001 0800 915 4644
- Website: www.sabp.nhs.uk/crisis-helpline
Free support to quit smoking
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, but many smokers who want to quit aren’t sure about the best way to go about it.
One You Surrey offers up to 12 weeks of free one-to-one support and quit aids such as patches, gums and e-cigarettes to help you quit and stay smoke-free for good. You are three times more likely to successfully quit with expert help:
- Telephone: 01737 652168
- Textphone (via Relay UK): 18001 01737 652168
- Email: hello@oneyousurrey.org.uk
- Website: www.oneyousurrey.org.uk
Disability
Access practical help and information to support people with disabilities and/or long term conditions:
- Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/supportingpeoplewithdisabilities
- Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/yourvoicematters
Equipment and technology
Staying independent
If you, or someone you look after is struggling with everyday tasks, then simple equipment, adapting your home, or new technology can make the difference between living independently and needing someone to help you:
Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/stayingindependent
Home Equipment Finder
The Home Equipment Finder online equipment catalogue for ideas to help you stay well and independent at home:
Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/homeequipmentfinder
Personal care alarms, smoke alarms
Personal care alarms, smoke alarms and sensors can help you live independently, by knowing you can get help at the touch of a button.
In Surrey, your local district or borough council offers a range of services for personal alarms and sensors. These are also known as community alarms, telecare and Careline:
Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/alarmsandsensors
Transport and travel
Blue Badge
A Blue Badge helps people with disabilities, hidden disabilities, or health conditions park closer to their destination. People can apply for a badge for themselves or on behalf of somebody else.
Apply via GOV.UK. Surrey County Council’s website has useful information on applying, renewing, replacing and how to use the badge:
- Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/bluebadges
- Website: www.gov.uk/apply-blue-badge
Bus passes
Free bus passes are available for eligible residents in Surrey. You can apply online or by booking an appointment at a participating Surrey library:
Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/freebuspass
Community transport
Run by local councils, they usually offer free or low cost transport to one or more of the following: day centres, hospital/GP appointments and shopping trips:
Website: www.connecttosupportsurrey.org.uk/travel
Loneliness and social contact
Check in and chat calls
Age UK Surrey can help find a volunteer who would enjoy having a regular telephone chat with you:
- Telephone: 01483 503414
- Text (SMS): 0759 313 9560
- Email: enquiries@ageuksurrey.org.uk
The Silver Line
A free confidential 24/7 helpline run by Age UK for anyone aged 55 and over to have the opportunity to access support or enjoy a conversation:
- Telephone: 0800 470 8090
- Textphone (via Relay UK): 18001 0800 470 8090
- Website: www.thesilverline.org.uk
Looking after someone who needs help
If you look after someone who is ill, frail, has a disability or mental health issues, you are likely to be considered a carer.
Adult Social Care Carers’ information
Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/carers
Action for Carers Surrey
- Telephone: 0303 040 1234
- Text (SMS): 0771 407 5993
- Website: www.actionforcarers.org.uk
Crossroads Care - Emergency Care Planning Service
In a crisis such as being taken into hospital, Crossroads Care Surrey can be contacted 24/7 in an emergency and will activate your carers emergency plan.
They will contact your nominated person to provide emergency support, or, as a last resort, Crossroads Care Surrey can arrange for professional support workers to provide up to 48 hours care:
- Telephone: 01372 869970
- Textphone (via Text Relay): 18001 01372 869970
- Email: enquiries@crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk
- Website: https://crossroadscaresurrey.org.uk/emergencycareplanservice
Social Prescribing
This service helps people find out about opportunities in their local community that could help them to improve their health and wellbeing.
For further information, please contact your local GP practice, nurse, social care worker, benefit advisor or local pharmacist. Alternatively, please visit:
Website: www.healthysurrey.org.uk/aboutsocialprescribing
Veterans
Surrey Armed Forces
Online information which contains details of veteran’s hubs as well as where to find help and support:
Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/armedforces
Further information
Connect to Support Surrey
An online directory of local support and services to help you, or your loved ones, stay independent:
Website: www.connecttosupportsurrey.org.uk
Family Information Service
Information for all families with children aged 0-25 on a range of subjects:
Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/fis
Digital Support
Digital Buddies in libraries
Offers personalised, one to one support with any digital products or websites you might be struggling with, as well as helping to access the library's wide range of online services:
- Telephone: 03456 009 009 and press option 6
- Textphone (via Relay UK): 18001 03456 009 009 and press option 6
- Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/digitalbuddy
Tech Angels Service
Provides devices, training and support to get people in Surrey online:
- Telephone: 01483 456558
- Text (SMS): 07780 933 053
- Email: getconnected@surreycoalition.org.uk
- Website: https://surreycoalition.org.uk/areas-of-work/technology/tech-to-community-connect
Adult Social Care Information and Advice Service
For information about care and support for adults in Surrey, as well as any of the Surrey County Council services mentioned in this booklet, please contact the Adult Social Care Information and Advice Service:
- Availability: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
- Telephone: 0300 200 1005
- Textphone (via Relay UK): 18001 0300 200 1005
- Text (SMS): 07527 182 861 (for the deaf or hard of hearing)
- British Sign Language: www.surreycc.gov.uk/bsl
- Email: asc.infoandadvice@surreycc.gov.uk
- Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/contactadultcare - live chat is available.
There is also lots of helpful information on Adult Social Care pages on the Surrey County Council website:
Website: www.surreycc.gov.uk/adultsocialcare
To request this information in another format or language
If you would like this information in another format or language, please contact:
- Telephone: 03456 009 009
- Text (SMS): 07860 053 465
- Textphone (via Relay UK): 18001 03456 009 009
- British Sign Language: www.surreycc.gov.uk/bsl
- Email: contact.centre@surreycc.gov.uk
Updated August 2024