Welcome to the March Community Partnerships e-newsletter. With daffodils brightening our pathways and birds filling the air with song, spring is definitely on its way. 

We would love to hear your thoughts on our newsletter, ensuring it is useful and relevant for you. We have added a short survey at the end to share your thoughts.

If you know someone who may be interested in receiving this newsletter, please do let us know by e-mailing community.partnerships@reigate-banstead.gov.uk.

Isabel Wootton, Head of Community Partnerships

On Thursday 7 May 2026, you will be able to vote for who represents you on your new East Surrey Council.

Make sure you’re ready to have your say. 

What you need to know:

Surrey’s current county, district and borough councils are set to be replaced by two new unitary councils - East Surrey and West Surrey.

Councillors elected in May will initially operate as part of 'Shadow Authorities', working with existing councils on moving to Surrey's new local government structure. 

The new unitary councils will take over delivering all local government services in your area from 1 April 2027. There will be no changes to the way you receive your existing council services until then.

We were delighted to be named runner up in the Local Authority of the Year category at this year’s Resolve Anti-Social Behaviour Awards. This recognition reflects the hard work of more than 30 organisations working together as the Safer Redhill partnership, including Surrey Police, YMCA East Surrey, Redhill Business Guild, and local schools and colleges.

Over the past year, the partnership has achieved significant impact - from seizing £800k worth of drugs to expanding youth outreach through the Y Bus and installing improved lighting in key locations.

This award is a welcome moment to celebrate what’s been achieved and to reaffirm our commitment to tackling ASB and helping Redhill remain a place we can all be proud of

Other highlights already confirmed include a special performance of original song, Redhill Rising, and a return of the hotly contested Battle of the Bands. 

Our Reigate & Banstead community centres play an important role in local life, and we’re pleased to support their work by inviting you to help shape their future.

A short survey has been launched to gather meaningful feedback from the wider community about the services, activities, and facilities currently available. Whether you’re a regular visitor, drop in from time to time, or haven’t had the chance to visit yet, your perspective is genuinely valued.

You can also pop into our community centres for a paper copy.

Reigate & Banstead Community Development Workers host quarterly Partnership Network Meetings within their respective areas, each supported by a dedicated Partnership Network Group.

Membership and participation in these meetings offer a valuable opportunity to support local service providers, share updates, network with partners, and guide the efforts of the Community Development Workers by identifying impactful projects.

Next meetings:

• Woodhatch and Whitebushes Partnership Meeting: 14 July, 9.30am to 11.30am at Raven Housing.
• Redhill West Partnership Meeting: 7 July, 10am to 12pm at Redhill Library
• Horley Partnership Meeting: 17 June, 9.30am to11.30am at Horley Health Hub
• Merstham Partnership Meeting: 28 April, 10am to 12.30pm at All Saints Church Merstham
• Preston Partnerships Meeting: 13 April and 6 July, 9.45am to 12pm at St Marks Tattenham’s Church.

To learn more about becoming a member of a Partnership Network Group or for details about the Partnership Network Meetings email communitypartnerships@reigate-banstead.gov.uk

Voluntary Action Surrey East (VASE) is bringing the East Surrey Volunteer Fair to The Belfry, Redhill on Saturday 26 September 11am-3pm and is inviting all organisations operating across Reigate & Banstead and Tandridge to get involved.

Whether you’d like to showcase your work, recruit volunteers, run an activity on the day, or join a small working group to help shape the event, VASE would love to hear from you.                                                            

Share your interest by completing the short  Expression of Interest by 3 April.

Surrey Family Information Service is a free resource available to all, helping families with children aged 0–19 find support, advice, and useful local services.

If your organisation supports children and families, you can sign up and register your services to be included in their directory.

If you’re already listed, this is a great time to check your details are up to date.

Clearer Care is a new Surrey-wide health literacy pilot programme designed to help organisations make health information and services clearer, more accessible and more inclusive for local communities. Through expert support and small grants of up to £2,500, the programme will fund community‑based pilot projects that strengthen people’s ability to understand and use health and care information.

Key Dates

• Expressions of Interest Closes: 3 April 2026, 5pm
• Full Applications Open (for invited applicants): 18 May 2026, 9am
• Decisions Communicated: Week of 29 June 2026

What’s on Offer

• Expert health literacy advice and guidance
• Practical support to design and deliver pilot projects
• Grants (up to £2,500) available for VCSE organisations delivering community‑focused health literacy initiatives

Supporting someone experiencing domestic abuse?  You’re not alone.

ESDAS run a monthly online support group for family members, friends or colleagues.

Supporting someone through domestic abuse can be confusing, emotionally draining, and isolating. You may worry about saying the wrong thing, keeping them safe, or knowing where your boundaries are, supporters often need support too.

This monthly, confidential Zoom support group facilitated by a trained counsellor, offers a safe and understanding space to:

• Share concerns and experiences
• Learn how to support someone safely and effectively
• Ask questions and feel less alone

Held on the first Monday of every month 7pm to 8pm.  Follow East Surrey Domestic Abuse Service (ESDAS) For further information email connection@esdas.org.uk

Promoted by Voluntary Action Southeast, delivered by the University of Leeds

A new free online course, Essential Skills for Volunteers, is now available to anyone interested in volunteering — whether you're already involved or thinking about getting started.

Developed by the University of Leeds in partnership with voluntary sector organisations, the course offers an accessible introduction to the core skills that help volunteers feel confident and prepared.

It covers key topics such as communication, teamwork, confidence‑building, safeguarding, and equity, diversity and inclusion.

The programme takes around 2.5 hours to complete and can be done at your own pace. Learners receive digital badges recognising their progress, helping them take the next steps into volunteering or further training.

Open to all - you don’t need to be connected to Leeds or a particular organisation to take part

Build your AI skills and unlock your charity's potential. Charity Excellence Learning have launched a FREE AI training course for charities to access. AI Is the most accessible technology and freely available for anyone.

This training will share key points of AI, learn simple and practical steps to keep yourself, and others safe from threats, such as deepfakes, scams.

Each module takes around 45 minutes to complete and , can be completed by anyone and it'll enable you to take simple, practical steps to keep yourself and others safe. 

All sessions are completely free, but booking is essential.

Join the modern day slavery learning hour online, which will equip you to understand what forms of modern slavery operate in Reigate & Banstead, learn some of the latest statistics produced by Surrey Police and National government, and look at how to report concerns and think of actions you can take to reduce incidents of modern slavery in this community.

Each one of us can make a difference.

Date Wednesday 6 May 

Time 12pm - 1pm 

Location Microsoft Teams 

If you wish to join, please email communitypartnerships@reigate-banstead.gov.uk

MHA Communities East Surrey supports older people in the local area to #Live Later Life Well, with 250 members.

They deliver community-based activities combating loneliness and enabling connection, including lunch clubs, befriending, dementia support, chair based exercise, music and outdoor sessions every day of the week across our four hubs areas in Tadworth, Redhill, Horley and Reigate.

Many of our activities are volunteer supported. We couldn’t make a difference to our members’ quality of lives, without our committed and kind volunteers. They really do #Make a Difference.

If you feel you have time to volunteer with us or if you, or someone you know is feeling isolated and in need of social contact please do get in touch, we would love to hear from you – call 07720 680550 or email eastsurrey@mha.org.uk Picture of YMCA

Thank you for being part of our growing community and for helping us improve the newsletter.