A Surrey-based, social care provider is celebrating a huge milestone as it marks 10 years of delivering compassionate and impactful services to its community.
Since its inception in 2014 by Surrey County Council, Surrey Choices has spent the past decade offering a wide range of services designed to support individuals with disabilities, autism and other additional needs across Surrey.
The organisation was founded on the principle of ‘Every Life, Every Chance’. A guiding slogan that remains central to its mission of providing impactful and person-centred care.
To commemorate this milestone, Surrey Choices hosted a company-wide celebration at The Lucan Tea Room which is a Surrey Choices community reach service. Bringing together staff, customers, and stakeholders, the event highlighted the organisation’s journey and the many lives touched by its services over the past 10 years.
Attendees had the opportunity to participate in various activities, from arts and crafts to team-building games, ensuring everyone felt included and celebrated.
Martin Farrow, Managing Director at Surrey Choices, said: “It’s incredible to think how far we’ve come in the past 10 years. To celebrate such a milestone is an amazing achievement.
“We've grown, adapted and continuously strived to make a positive impact on the lives of the individuals we support.
“This milestone is not just a celebration of our achievements, but a testament to the dedication of our staff, the resilience of those we serve and the strength of our community. Here's to many more years of empowering people to live the life they deserve."
When Surrey Choices first opened its doors, its services were centred around traditional day centres and supported employment programmes. While these services were valuable, it became clear during the Covid pandemic that its services needed to adapt to integrate people into the community.
In 2021, Surrey Choices diversified its services, moving away from large, institutional settings to a more community-based model. This shift has allowed them to provide tailored support that respects individual choices and preferences.
Its EmployAbility programme has expanded to include initiatives like Supported Internships and Future Choices. Each year they support over 750 disabled and neurodivergent adults and young people to find and sustain work and volunteering.
It also expanded its respite care services, providing vital breaks for families and carers. Its double award-winning Shared Lives scheme continues to thrive, offering individuals the opportunity to live in a loving, family-like environment.
Looking ahead, Surrey Choices remains committed to evolving its services to meet the changing needs of its community and creating a brighter future for everyone it supports.