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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: 

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:

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:

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

Domestic abuse

Help and support for anyone experiencing domestic abuse in Surrey:

 

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:

 

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:

 

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:

 

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:

 

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:

 

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:

 

Disability

Access practical help and information to support people with disabilities and/or long term conditions:

 

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:

 

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:

 

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:

 

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

 

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:

 

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:

 

Tech Angels Service

Provides devices, training and support to get people in Surrey online:

 

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:

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:

 

Updated August 2024