What is the vision of your Organisation?
To support and shape best practice in volunteering and social action in Elmbridge, Epsom & Ewell and Mole Valley.
Why has your Organisation signed the ‘End Poverty Pledge’?
It was important for us to sign the End Poverty Pledge. We want our services to be inclusive, and it’s vital that no one is prevented from accessing the support they need.
What examples can you give of your organisation/business putting the ‘End Poverty Pledge’ into practice?
Many of our activities are accessed by those on low incomes. Activities are designed to be inclusive and affordable, to minimise any barriers people may have to participate in them.
We consult people with lived experience when designing new services, ensuring that they reflect the needs of those groups involved. Examples of activities include Fishing and Friendship Group (informal support and signposting), Winter Coffee Mornings (subsidised lunches/refreshments), Employment support for Ukrainians.
We use the experiences of running these activities to influence regional policy, such as health leaders’ decisions on overseas qualifications for Ukrainians.
We are a Living Wage Employer, ensuring staff are fairly paid. We reimburse expenses fortnightly to avoid financial strain for staff and volunteers and we have created an open culture where people feel comfortable discussing financial challenges, recognising that those working in support roles may themselves face hardship.
We work closely with Citizens Advice, Good Company, and other voluntary action groups to tackle poverty across Surrey. We see partnership as vital for joined-up responses to community need. All staff are trained on signposting and are aware of local services such as foodbanks and community fridges.
What would you hope to be able to do more of in the longer term?
Acting as an ambassador for the End Poverty Pledge at local events.
Continuing to upskill staff with signposting knowledge.
Taking part in projects to improve coordinated support across Surrey.
Embedding pledge commitments into everyday operations, including outcome monitoring for disadvantaged groups.
Using pledge resources such as poverty awareness training with staff, volunteers, and trustees.
Influencing statutory and voluntary agencies through system-level work to ensure the voices of local people are heard in decision-making.