PRESS RELEASE – Leatherhead, July 2024
We are very pleased to say that Mary Frances Trust, Richmond Fellowship and Catalyst Support are continuing to provide the Community Connections Service in their respective areas for the next 5 years.
As the three lead providers of Community Connections, we’re committed to working more closely with each other and with the people who use our services, to enhance our offering and make our services easier to access.
In response to feedback on ways to improve the service, here’s what to expect over the next five years:
- Evening and weekend support
More support outside of working hours to meet the needs of a wider variety of people. - More specialised mental health peer support sessions
We have recognised there is an appetite for our peer support groups to be more focused on specific needs. - Continuing the virtual offer
During the pandemic we changed the way we provided support, by offering workshops and groups over Zoom. This enables us to support people that would not be able to attend in person. - Ongoing support
We will continue to provide long-term support via groups and workshops to those that wish to continue engaging with us, in line with your feedback that Community Connections is a lifeline. - Priority Groups & Accessibility
We are committed to being inclusive of all and ensuring that our support is accessible for everyone.
Did you know that we have already begun to act on this feedback, offering more evening support and specialist support sessions?
Here are some examples of what we are already offering:
- Mary Frances Trust and Richmond Fellowship offer domestic abuse drop-in clinics every two weeks, in partnership with East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service. These clinics are available for anybody who would like support or advice around sexual abuse and domestic abuse.
- Mary Frances Trust has groups for Bereavement, Autism, Hoarding, LGBT+ and Bipolar
- Women’s Support Centre Surrey, part of Catalyst Support, helps women dealing with abuse, discrimination, trauma, homelessness, financial difficulties and those navigating the criminal justice system.
- Catalyst Support delivers an Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder online group, and Schizophrenia peer-support group in Guildford.
- Catalyst Support delivers evening support groups that include Depression and Anxiety group, LGBTQ+ group, Autism group, Young People’s group and an Audio Book club.
- All three providers are offering evening support sessions.
We are committed to developing our services and enhancing our offers in response to feedback and will continue to update you on our progress over the coming months.
We’re feeling very enthusiastic about the future of Community Connections and grateful for the opportunity to provide continued support to the Surrey Community.
What is Community Connections?
Community Connections delivers free wellbeing support to people aged 16+ in Surrey, including peer support groups, workshops, and courses, both online and in person. Activities range from physical activities, wellbeing courses and peer support groups, to arts and crafts, nature groups and interest groups.
It is commissioned and funded by Surrey County Council.
How do you refer to Community Connections?
Community Connections is a self-referral service, which means anyone aged 16+, living or working in Surrey can register to receive the support. But we also accept referrals from mental health professionals, GPs and other organisations.
The service is free, with no waiting lists and no time limits – people can use the service for as long as they need, without a need for a diagnosis. It can be used in complement to other forms of mental health treatment, therapy or support. To register, please contact one of the following providers (preferably the provider that covers the area where the referred client lives).
Mary Frances Trust
Mary Frances Trust (MFT) delivers Community Connections in Surrey Downs (Banstead, Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell and Mole Valley). MFT is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year!
For further information about what we deliver as part of Community Connections, please visit our Activities, Courses and Groups page or to see what’s on, view our Calendar of Activities.
Catalyst Support
Catalyst Support covers the boroughs of Guildford, Waverley, Farnham, Surrey Heath, Spelthorne, Runnymede, Woking & Elmbridge (West).
For more information, please contact:
TEL: 01276 409415
SMS: 07919 541424
EMAIL: info@catalystsupport.org.uk
WEBSITE: www.catalystsupport.org.uk
Richmond Fellowship
Richmond Fellowship covers the boroughs of Redhill, Reigate, Tandridge, Horley, Smallfield, Salfords.
For more information, please contact:
TEL: 01737 771282
SMS: 07393 797846
EMAIL: redhillcc@richmondfellowship.org.uk
WEBSITE: www.rfcommunityconnections.org.uk
The Community Connections Service is commissioned and funded by Surrey County Council.
We are currently developing a new website for Community Connections Surrey which we hope to be able to launch soon.
