Alice Sheppard recently joined us as our new Asylum Seeker Community Development Worker. Alice will be helping people seeking asylum and refugees to integrate into their local community by linking them with services and activities.
Alice is also here to network with other organisations to support asylum seekers. If you would like to connect with Alice to get involved with the project call 07874 857283 or email [email protected].
Our Warmth Matters project aims to tackle fuel poverty across Surrey by providing energy advice and assistance, from helping families struggling with energy bills payments to empowering individuals to take action, such as switching supplier, signing up for new grants and schemes, and providing homeowners with the knowledge and advice they need to make their homes more energy-efficient.
Our team now operate a new helpline for people who need help with their energy bills, open every Monday between 10:00am-2:00pm and who are unable to attend our pop-up advice sessions at Warm Welcome venues across Surrey. Call 07442 482284 for free, impartial advice.
Click here for dates and locations of Warm Welcome energy advice sessions.
We were delighted to join Staines Helping Hands to celebrate their official launch last month. Staines Helping Hands is a local charitable organisation set up by volunteers for the help and benefit of those living in the TW18 Staines-upon-Thames area. They provide help with:
Our Good neighbours Scheme Adviser, Vicki Turton has helped the group to get off the ground with plenty of expert advice and support. If you would like to set up a scheme in Surrey, get in touch!
As well as working for a charity, some of our team volunteer for other charities and not-for-profit organisations too. During Volunteers Week (1-7 June), we thought that we would share some of our volunteer roles.
Jason Gaskell, our CEO
I’m a trustee with Surrey Wildlife Trust. Having previously worked and volunteered for Northumberland Wildlife Trust, I was keen to stay involved in the WT movement when we moved to Surrey, and a Trusteeship allows me to combine personal interest with professional skills from working in the voluntary sector.
I’m also a rugby coach with Guildfordians Rugby Club. I have coached mixed teams from under 6 to under 11, and then move up to coach an amazing team of U14 Girls. Seeing them develop their skills and confidence over the season is fantastic, sharing their joy of the game, the pain of their losses and the euphoria of their (many!) wins. Next season is a whole new challenge as lead coach of the U16 Girls team. As well as seeing the players develop and grow, there is a fantastic network of coaches to work with, bounce ideas off and socialise with, from teams across Surrey and beyond.
Vicky Turton, our Good Neighbour Schemes Co-Ordinator
As well as helping community groups to set up and run good neighbour schemes, I’m a volunteer for my local scheme too.
I have been a volunteer with WEBCare – a good neighbour scheme in Bisley since it launched in 1995. I am on the committee, I answer the phones, and I am a driver with the scheme.
Dianne Roberts, our Community Champions Co-ordinator
I’m a trustee for HomeStart Spelthorne, where I serve as a safeguarding trustee, ensuring the Committee staff and volunteers are up to date with training and are aware of their responsibilities, plus I check our policies and practice re recruitment, supervision etc.
Justine Aldous, our Marketing Manager
I help to promote the activities and events organised by the PTA at my children’s secondary school and I’m also a volunteer moderator for my local community’s Facebook group. Having spent a lot of time promoting the flexibility of volunteering for good neighbour schemes, I have joined Guildford Care as a volunteer driver too.
