ßÙßÇÂþ» People's Group in the West 14 November
Join us in Guildford for our last meeting in 2025.
We will be thinking about what we want for our meetings in 2026:
- what makes is hard to live the life you want?
- what do you want to find out more about?
We will be finding out about cyber fraud and how to keep our money safe.
so, we know who is coming.
Coffee and Culture - meet up for autistic adults aged 18 and over
Join the Autism by Experience team for a friendly, relaxed afternoon at coffee shop and gallery.
Sunday 16th November from 3pm to 5pm
Art and Grind, 165 High Street, Guildford, ßÙßÇÂþ» GU1 3AJ
Jo and Gill from the Autism by Experience team will be there from 3pm to welcome everyone and help people settle in.
Details of the meet up:
- meet in the room upstairs where it’s quieter
- stay for as long as you feel comfortable
- feel free to bring a friend or supporter
- there will be some adult colouring pages, and you can bring your own art/craft project to work on if you like
- no pressure to interact more than you want to
Email Jo to let her know you are coming at: afc@autismbyexperience.co.uk
Autism Friendly Communities - a focus on very isolated people
The Autism Friendly Communities project want to focus on the needs of autistic children, young people and adults who are very isolated.
There are autistic people who enjoy a more solitary life, and whilst others may feel they are isolated, they are fairly happy. There are also children, young people and adults for whom the outside world does not feel safe and they spend most, if not all, their time at home. They would like to connect with others but issues like anxiety, fatigue and burnout have a huge impact on them.
Online meeting Tuesday 25th November from 7pm to 9pm
If you are very isolated yourself, or support someone who is, come and join the meeting. It is hosted by members of the Autism by Experience team who have experience of feeling very isolated.
We will explore things like:
- creating safe community spaces for people
- online networks for very isolated people and their families/supporters
- helping people to connect with others through shared interests
No need to book in advance, just on the evening.
More information email: afc@autismbyexperience.co.uk
Warm Welcome Winter support for residents
The Warm Welcome scheme provides a local place for residents to visit and get support and respite. This is through free hot drinks, activities, and sometimes food and fuel vouchers. They also provide winter essential items to venues to distribute, such as electric blankets, flasks and warm packs containing blankets and clothing.
Face to face energy and debt advice is available in partnership with Citizens Advice and ßÙßÇÂþ» Community Action, alongside the . This tool is available to all residents to use to get personalised recommendations on grants and support they may be eligible for.
The Warm Welcome venues launch on 1 November.
Stand up against street harassment online training
Free 30-minute anti-harassment training sessions are running in November. They are run by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust to help equip the public and professionals with practical, safe techniques to recognise and respond to harassment when they witness it.
This training is for anyone who lives, works or socialises in ßÙßÇÂþ» and wants to promote safer, more inclusive spaces for everyone.
The will be running online on 12 November and 18 November.
Safeguarding adults week is all about prevention
National Safeguarding Adults Week 2025 is from Monday 17 November to Friday 21 November 2025.
The Ann Craft Trust is a national charity that exists to minimise the risk of abuse of adults. Their theme 'Prevention' focuses on stopping abuse before it happens. It will include encouraging conversations, prevention in practice, creating empowering environments, trusting instincts, and celebrating safer cultures.
2025 Daily Themes
- Monday: Change the Conversation
- Tuesday: Prevention in Practice
- Wednesday: Creating Empowering Environment
- Thursday: Trust Your Instincts
- Friday: Celebrate the Safer Cultures
They are running throughout the week.
Seat belt covers could help crisis communication
Devon and Cornwall Police are offering drivers and passengers with additional needs free seat belt covers to make communication easier after incidents such as road accidents.
Each cover contains a card to record personal details and how they would like people to communicate with them, as well as images of parts of the body which people could use to indicate where they were hurt.
You can find out more in the .
It is possible to buy similar seat belt covers various outlets including the that can be used to indicate to traffic officers, emergency services and road users that the person in the seat has a non-visible disability.
Flu vaccination Autumn / Winter 2025
People with a learning disability often face more health challenges than others. They are at greater risk of catching the flu and are more likely to develop complications leading to serious illness. People who are on the Learning Disability Register and their carers are eligible for the free NHS flu vaccine.
Information for people with a learning disability and their carers is available at the following links:
Can my companion travel for free on the bus too?
If you hold an older persons or disabled persons bus pass and have difficulty travelling, you could be entitled to travel with a companion. You can still travel on your own if you can, but the companion cannot use the pass to travel without you.
This bus pass means you and your companion can travel free within ßÙßÇÂþ».
If you travel outside of ßÙßÇÂþ» your companion may be asked to pay. If you start your journey in ßÙßÇÂþ», even if you go into London, you and your companion should get free travel.
Transport for London do not accept Companion Passes inside London so they may be charged on the return journey or any bus journeys they make inside London.
If you have problems using your free bus pass, email with as much detail as possible. Make sure you include the day, time and bus route.
Email: freebuspass@surreycc.gov.uk
Bloomin' Arts at Daisy Fest in Guildford
On Saturday 22 November, Bloomin’ Arts will be taking part in , a winter arts festival celebrating connections between people, places, and creativity.
This year, the festival will be held at G Live in Guildford and will bring together arts and charitable organisations to explore how communities thrive through creativity and collaboration.
Some of their participants will be showcasing their talents throughout the day:
- Theatre Company: running a communication workshop from 11am to 12pm
- Create It Group: performing an excerpt from their new puppetry show, Book of Fey, from 1pm to 2pm.
- Stall: we will be selling our lovely artwork from 10am to 4pm
Free and open to everyone!
Healthwatch ßÙßÇÂþ» want to know about your experience at your GP with reasonable adjustments
Do you have a disability?
Does your GP practice meet your needs?
Tell Healthwatch ßÙßÇÂþ» about your experience with reasonable adjustments by .
To get a paper copy or talk to someone on the phone contact the helpdesk:
- phone: 0303 303 0023
- mobile: 07592 787 533
- email: enquiries@healthwatchsurrey.co.uk
University technology project looking for people with a learning disability
The University of Sheffield is running a – like Alexa, Facebook or Chat gpt.
They would love people with a learning disability to join.
You do not need research experience.
You will get:
- £25 per hour
- a chance to meet new people
- a chance to help make useful resources about technology
If you are interested, please email Alice: a.dunning@sheffield.ac.uk
Men’s connection research in ßÙßÇÂþ»
Mentell, in partnership with ßÙßÇÂþ», is running a peer-led study on men’s connection and belonging. They want to find out what helps, what gets in the way and what would make things better in ßÙßÇÂþ».
They would like to hear from men (18+), who live and work in ßÙßÇÂþ» from all backgrounds including LGBTQ+, disabled/neurodivergent, different ethnicities, income levels and work patterns.
Each participant will take part in a 60-minute confidential 121 online conversation and a 25-minute survey about them and their experiences, receiving a shopping voucher as a thank you and entry to a prize draw.
For further information or to sign up, .