What is HDRC Surrey? 

• HDRC Surrey aims to make Surrey a healthier place by strengthening how local government uses research to inform decisions that reflect community needs. 

• We work on issues that impact health – like poverty, employment, housing and education.  

• The collaboration brings together the University of Surrey, Surrey County Council, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and voluntary organisations (including Good Company Surrey and Surrey Minority Ethnic Forum) as well as our residents.  

What is our Public Involvement Panel? 

• We have two Public Involvement Panels, one in West Surrey and one in East Surrey. 

• In East Surrey, we have a group of residents from different backgrounds who’ve been working together as part of our Panel since 2024.  

• In East Surrey our panel have been working together on issues that they think are important to the local community, including being able to access emergency financial support.  

Hearing from one of our Public Involvement Panel members: 

What made you want to be part of the Public Involvement Panel? 

I wanted to be able to tell my story and for others to not go through what I’ve gone through. So being part of the group, I’m hoping that change may happen so that my past experiences and the things that I’ve been through won’t happen to other people in the future.  

What have you enjoyed about being part of the Public Involvement Panel? 

I enjoy being part of a group. I spend a lot of time alone. So I like the connection. I find all topics relevant and that I personally have an opinion on or can relate to in some way. I also like the fact that at our meetings we do things in a variety of ways. For example: creative ways suit me. So I’ve drawn my answers before and then used that image to explain. The researchers always come up with innovative ways for us to have our discussions at each meeting, it’s always different. But ultimately I come away from the meeting thinking I’ve helped make a difference I’ve spoken up for people like me.  

What are you hoping will change for people locally through this work? 

That people won’t be struggling to get their voice heard, be stuck filling in multiple stressful forms etc, that people’s physical and mental health may improve if access to the right support financially when needed is there. That there will be support locally, and that struggling people are no longer treated like a number. That the system will be more humanised and caring and non-judgmental. And that in the future there will be more of this kind of work around speaking to the people that big decisions are made about and asking them what would help. More decisions made from the bottom up, so basically more “co production”. Which I think ultimately saves money as then there’s not failed new ventures that cost wasted money but successful ones that came from the people that they directly affect.  

What has being part of the project meant for you?  

It’s nice being part of a group with a common purpose and has made me feel that actually my voice does matter. Although personally my life is very different to how it used to be and is difficult physically and mentally, it’s given me an outlet to explain.  

And it makes me feel that I do matter and others like me matter too!! I feel like my voice is heard.  

The biggest thing to me is that I’m hoping that my past experiences and the things that I’ve been through and still go through, won’t happen to other people in the future. 

How can you get involved? 

If you want to know more about participation and research activities at Good Company, you can contact us via email: voice@goodcompany.org.uk  

If you would like to know more about HDRC Surrey you can visit the website: https://surrey.hdrc.uk/public-involvement  

And if you would like to get involved you can register at: https://surrey.hdrc.uk/public-involvement/get-involved  

Good Company are delighted to share that Surrey County Council have published the Surrey Health and Well-being Board/Surrey Integrated Care Partnership approved Foundation Framework for a Whole System Approach to Poverty | Healthy Surrey, which we were asked to help develop as part of our ongoing partnership with them.

14.3% of children live in relative low-income families in Surrey after housing costs; in Canalside, that figure rises to 35.5% (Health and Wellbeing Strategy Index | Surrey-i)

Mark Nuti, SCC Cabinet Member for Health and Communities and Co-chair of the Board said ‘Surrey is generally thought of as an affluent county but there are many in our communities that are finding it tough in this current financial climate. This framework is both a guide for organisations now and a basic blueprint for our future anti-poverty activities, to ensure no-one is left behind’.

This framework builds on Good Company’s work with the councils, the University of Surrey and the voluntary sector to improve health outcomes to reduce health inequalities for amongst Surrey residents including through our research collaboration with Surrey HDRC.

Good Company is committed to working with local councils to help shape decisions on tackling poverty. This is especially important during the coming year of local government re-organisation, which brings both challenges and opportunities.

Jonathan Lees, Managing Director of Good Company said, “We hope that this framework will provide an invaluable resource for the East Surrey and West Surrey Councils coming into place by early 2027 currently being established.  It will help to keep poverty high on the agenda.”

At Good Company, our mission is to see a community free from poverty, where everyone can afford life’s essentials. Over the past 12 months we’ve provided food, essentials and support to over 6,500 people. This is a 37% lower than 2023 and we believe we this can be attributed to the work we’re doing with partners to address the root causes of hardship.

Over the past year it’s also the case that more than 500 people have turned to our foodbank for the very first time. This highlights the ongoing challenges many people in our community continue to face and reminds us that there is still much work to do.

By taking a whole-system approach, we can work together to reduce the need for foodbanks in the long term. By connecting our services, strengthening partnerships, and providing earlier support, we are building a stronger social safety net that helps prevent people from reaching crisis point and ensures they can access the right help when they need it most.

When I was asked if I would like to the join the Banstead Pantry Steering Committee, there was no hesitation. I found Banstead Pantry at a time in my life that was extremely difficult. To say that Banstead Pantry offered me a life line is an understatement.

Yes, Banstead Pantry is a place where members can choose the food they need at an affordable price. But, Banstead Pantry offers so much more. From help with debt counselling and council tax, advice for benefit claims, through to new born starter packs and even cooking lessons! But most importantly, Banstead Pantry is a community that works within the local community, it is a real life line, it is a place where you can be yourself regardless of background and situation.

Members may come and go, but one thing remains a constant. Banstead Pantry is a safe, warm and non-judgemental environment that offers so much for so little. A place of understanding, a place that knows how to help. A place that allows you to sit and chat over a cuppa, a place that really helps to make lives better. And of course, the basics to live.

That is why I was very happy to become a member of the Banstead Pantry Steering Committee. It is a privilege to be able to give back in some small way for the support that the Banstead Pantry has given and continues to give me.

Being a member of the Banstead Pantry Steering Committee has helped me tremendously.  Having lost so much, it has given me some purpose whilst navigating a really difficult time in my life. It makes me feel less isolated and it makes me feel like I do have something to offer and that, more importantly, I can say thank you. It has allowed me to meet some lovely people, to learn from them and share ideas that will help shape the future and direction of the Pantry. Knowing that our ideas may help others is humbling.

It reminds me that huge gestures are not required and throwing money at something is not the only way (although it helps!). Being able to offer time, experiences, thoughts and ideas, and being present all help. A little can really go a long way. Sharing is caring! It reminds me that so many have their own challenges to confront and manage, through no fault of their own and I am not alone. A few kind words work wonders.

It has reminded me that although life can seem scary and impossible there is help and there is no shame in needing a helping hand. Remember, we are all individuals and we all have something to offer. If you are asked to join the Banstead Steering Committee, or other Committee or group, go for it. Being able to help is so rewarding and it gives you so much in return that you would never have expected.

‘How to’ involve people in a Steering Group at your organisation:

• Decide how many members you need.
• Agree the sort of commitment you are looking for, e.g. how frequently do they need to attend meetings and/or events.
• Are you looking for a variety of skills, experience and background from your members?
• Would your members be rewarded for taking part, e.g. ‘thank you’ vouchers?
• Plan how you will run the meetings, where and when they would be held, e.g. will you have an agenda or will you keep it loose so that members can come to the meetings with their ideas and suggestions.
• Decide how you will recruit members of the Steering Group. You might want to produce an ‘Opportunity Description’ with the details above contained within it so people can decide if it might be something they want to get involved with.
• Begin your meetings to benefit from gaining insights from people with lived experience and help shape your services.

Further Resources

If you want to know more about participation activities at Good Company, you can contact us via email: voice@goodcompany.org.uk or find further resources on our website here – End Poverty Pledge Resources – Good Company.

There are several reasons why Caballo Lounge is a great example of a local business making a meaningful difference by creating opportunities to serve the local community in Epsom through customer interactions and the creative use of their venue.

Kate, their Community Champion says, “Having the community be part of who we are and where we are feels really important.  We love that here.”

Caballo Lounge have provided a space for local university students to get to know new people and hosted a fundraising quiz for the students end of year show

They have supported many charities through their Lounge Aid funding, including the local hospital and Epsom Pantry, one of the many projects run by Good Company in Epsom and Ewell.

As an ongoing supporter of the Epsom Pantry, Caballo Lounge lay on several events a year for families experiencing financial hardship, including seasonal parties and free breakfast clubs for children in the school holidays.  These provide an opportunity for children to play, craft and eat together and have fun and the staff always enjoy seeing familiar as well as new faces at such events!

Volunteer ‘thank you’ events have also been held at Caballo Lounge, allowing Epsom Pantry to thank its hard-working volunteers from the local community for all they do to support people in financial hardship.

The local NHS have run quizzes there, with a turnout of over 50 people on one occasion.  Describing the event, Kate says, “It was so vibrant.  I think that’s what’s so nice.  These events bring the place to life.” 

The support extends not only to families and charities, but also to the local business community.  Caballo Lounge encourages people to use their space for working as well as networking.

Sip and Paint hold monthly events there and local business owners use the Lounge to meet regularly.

Local entrepreneur Jo Ferrone describes how the Lounge has become a supportive base for her events.

“I approached the Caballo Lounge in January 2025 when I was in search of a venue in central Epsom to host my networking events for business owning women. When I walked in, the energy was already warm, and when I approached the staff it only got better! Such a lovely venue, convenient location and a team who truly care about their customers, the local area and being a part of the community. I launched my events there in March 2025 and we are still returning every month over a year later and couldn’t be more happy to be there! Team Caballo stands out to me in so many ways and I am lucky to collaborate with them!”

When asked why working with the community is so important to Caballo Lounge, Kate refers back to their vision, “You’re making profits, you’re getting people in every day. Why not be part of community, be active and show you care about people.  It’s not ‘home from home’ without care and attention.” 

Whilst Caballo Lounge are already doing so much to support their local community, they are looking at ways to do more.  One of the ideas they are pursuing is to become an official donation point for Epsom Pantry to continue to help those in financial hardship.

They have also committed to continue to raise awareness of the work of Good Company and the End Poverty Pledge. By doing this and continuing to run their diverse range of events, Caballo Lounge will continue to be a hub of connection for people across Epsom.

If you’re a local business and you’d like to find out more about the End Poverty Pledge please contact laura@goodcompany.org.uk

Hi, my name’s Racheal. I’m a Mum to 3 children and I’ve been happily married to my husband for 14 years.

When I joined the pantry, I met the lovely Jane, who recommended the Steering Group, so I went along to see what it was about and how I could help.

We have lots of lovely people on the Steering Group that also use the pantry.  It’s where we can get together, put ideas across on how we can get extra fundraising ideas, what we can do in the local community and how we can bring the pantry community together.  We have done things like the Easter Egg Hunt and the Christmas party.  I love organising the Christmas party with everyone because it’s where we can all come together and put great ideas across and we’ve had some amazing ideas on what we could do.  So, I recommended having a sensory corner for children with special needs.  Someone said that it would be a great idea to have Father Christmas, maybe give out a small gift.  And lots of brilliant ideas about arts and crafts tables and what we can do.

I’ve also benefitted so much from being a part of the Steering Group being that I’m going to be opening up my own business soon.  It has given me the confidence to be able to put ideas across, to know how to plan an event, how to follow the event through.  So, I have gained so much experience that I could use myself.  It’s just amazing!

We absolutely love attending the Christmas party. Not last year, but the year before, my husband was Father Christmas and to see the smiles on the children’s faces was just wonderful!  And the things they ask for isn’t much at all. It’s something like a skipping rope, a hula hoop and to see everyone in our community come together and have a really fun day, it’s just lovely.

We also put together a tombola.  We do ‘guess how many sweets are in the jar’.  We do lots of arts and crafts for the children.  We had the sensory corner.  We also have a raffle for the adults and a separate one for the children.

And to watch everyone come together, to see the community making friends.  And I think that’s what the pantry stands out for, is that it is a warm, special place where people can come together and make new friends and I really do enjoy seeing the community all having fun together.

When I first joined the East Surrey Poverty Truth Commission (PTC), I didn’t really know what it was. I’d gone to the local pantry for an energy workshop, met Tom, and said yes when he asked if I wanted to join. At the time, life was tough – costs were rising, and like many families, we were just breaking even. I work at a coffee shop and run art classes on the side, but between paying off a loan and managing household expenses, there’s little room for extras. Holidays, takeaways, even new clothes for the kids – those things became luxuries we couldn’t afford.

I moved to the UK from Zimbabwe in 2017, and adjusting to life here was a challenge. Back home, poverty looks very different. Here, I was surprised to learn that I was considered “below the poverty line.” I had a job, a roof over my head, and food on the table – how could that be poverty? It took time to understand that poverty isn’t just about survival; it’s about the choices you don’t have, the opportunities you miss, and the constant stress of making ends meet.

Being part of the PTC opened my eyes to these differences and gave me a voice. I’ve always liked helping people, and this was a way to do that while learning from others. The best part? The get-togethers. They were fun and gave me a sense of belonging. I even made a close friend, Morine, through the Commission. Sharing my story wasn’t always easy – I’m not great at making friends and I tend to keep to myself – but I felt comfortable enough to open up.

There were challenges too. Standing on stage and speaking in front of people was nerve-wracking. I pictured everyone as primary school kids just to get through it! But those moments built my confidence, even if life has thrown setbacks my way since then.

The experience changed me. It reminded me that community matters. Loneliness is real – especially for the elderly who come into the cafe where I work just to chat because we might be the only people they see that day. Through art classes and conversations, I’ve seen how small acts can make a big difference. As I often say: “It makes me feel good that I can make other people feel good about themselves.”

Would I recommend being part of a Poverty Truth Commission? Absolutely. It’s about more than meetings – it’s about creating a better community where everyone lends a helping hand. If we all did that, imagine the impact.

For me, the PTC wasn’t just about poverty – it was about hope, resilience, and connection. And if sharing my story helps even one person see things differently, that’s a win.

Why did you agree to be involved? 

I agreed to be involved in the Poverty Network initiative for cultivating trust because firstly I’ve struggled with feeling like I’ve had a voice as an individual and importantly, I was given an opportunity to help make another ripple in our pond and help gather the wind to blow out the poverty candle!

Tell us about your experience – was it what you expected?

The experience was nothing like what I expected. It was way grander and nourishing. I thought the interactions I had with my fellow PTN members were priceless. I loved every second of it and I can’t wait for more experiences with them. I’d like to get to know them better and the same goes for the members of Parliament that came to speak with us and hear what we had to say. We had a tour around the House of Lords which was insane. It was interesting to learn about the different faces of history and things that go on, and are still going on from hundred and hundreds of years ago. Some things I thought could have been done better; more time with the MPs and have more MPs to talk to. But as this is our first outing together, I think it went very well.

What were the best bits?

My favourite bits were getting to know the people that I had met already more and also physically meeting the people I had met on our zoom calls in the months spent planning our trip. Another favourite part would definitely be the trip round the House of Lords and getting to see two debates in the time that we got to sit down and watch. Also the cakes look pretty good!

What are you hoping will happen next?

I’m hoping that this is the first of many of these meetings and this is just a seed being planted in both politicians and members of the PTN ‘s minds. I think we can turn our learning into another layer of our confidence and armour to move forward. It was only Sara from Stripey Stork and I who came from Southeast. Everybody else came from hundreds of miles away in the UK to come to London so for the majority in London is a novelty it’s a big bright shiny unknown beating living beast. It’s a thing that you talk about as ‘that London’ to then go there to do work for one day… the other people who came deserve huge respect for not only standing up to the mark but being really energetic and meaningful in their interactions.

I think we will possibly have more confidence now we’ve met each other, and we’ve gone to London. I think we’ll have our sleeves rolled up ready for the next meeting and get down to the nitty-gritty; asking demanding questions and answering challenging questions but not a bead of sweat to be seen.

I see a great future for this team and we will absolutely throw a stone into that pond and make some ripples. Watch this space!!

Banstead Pantry opened on Banstead High Street in October 2024. Run by charity Good Company in partnership with Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Raven Housing Association, we are a community hub and food shop providing a low-cost alternative to a traditional shop for local people struggling with the cost of living.  

The Pantry aims to reduce dependence on foodbanks whilst offering greater dignity and choice to individuals experiencing food insecurity. For £5 a shop, members can select 10+ grocery items, including fresh meat, dairy and store cupboard essentials and enjoy access to free fruit, vegetables and bread. 

What difference are we making? 

In May 2025 we conducted a 6-month survey to get feedback from our members on their experience of the Pantry. We have put these results together in our first Banstead Pantry Impact Report. Findings show that 68% of our members now feel more in control of their finances, over two-thirds are eating more fresh produce and 90% say they are less anxious about feeding themselves and their families. One member shared “It has made a huge difference. As a carer, my financial situation has changed considerably.  Without the help that the Pantry provides, I would not have been able to put my heating on at all over the winter. I am also not skipping as many meals.” 

For many of our members the value of the Pantry is in the connections made in our community.  Members attend workshops held at the Pantry and share advice on recipes, budgeting and energy conservation. We have also established a steering group comprised of Banstead Pantry members who are eager to get involved in the running of our Pantry.  

Our survey findings reflect the impact of the community environment at Banstead Pantry. 76% of our members say they have met new people and now feel less isolated. We see this impact in our sessions where many of our members stop for a cup of tea and a chat after their shop. “My two friends use the pantry as a catch up for a lovely chat (with tea). Very friendly and helpful staff that make us feel welcome.” 99% of our members say that the Pantry offers a warm and welcoming environment, and 100% agree that the staff and volunteers are helpful and supportive. 

These findings from our first 6 months in Banstead show that the Pantry is having a very positive impact on our member’s lives, increasing their financial resilience and lowering levels of food insecurity. In the 6-months since opening we have seen Foodbank usage among our members decrease by over 50%.  

What next? 

In the coming months, we will continue to build on this initial success. We are running our first Pantry Savings Scheme and continuing to grow our Pantry Steering Group. We will also be conducting focus groups with our members to get feedback some of our initiatives including our Christmas offer and the first round of our Pantry Savings Scheme.

This week is Volunteers Week and we’re celebrating the incredible contribution over 300 volunteers make to Good Company’s mission and vision. We asked 3 of our volunteers to write about what they do and why they do it, we hope you find their words inspiring. We are so incredibly grateful for the many hours that our volunteers so generously give and for the reminder that, together, we can be a beacon of compassion, hope and justice in our communities.

Foodbank Session Leader, Fifi:

I have been working at the Foodbank for the past 3 years and recently became a Session Leader, this means that I am responsible for running the foodbank session from start to finish, ensuring the smooth operation and adherence to safeguarding and health & safety, supporting and coordinating volunteers, and providing a welcoming and supportive environment for clients to receive the help they need, which extends so much further than just food.

We see in the news a lot about children hungry with no school lunches, teenage girls dealing with the struggles of period poverty, and elders having to choose between heating and eating. Volunteering at the foodbank brings you face to face with the real people who are trying to overcome these challenges, giving you the opportunity to provide support, and help get people back on their feet. I started volunteering because I had time to spare and wanted to put it to good use to help my local community, now I find myself prioritising time for the foodbank because I’ve seen the impact we can really make.

The highlight of my time at the foodbank is really seeing how as a team of volunteers we can come together and make a difference. We deal with some super busy sessions and clients with complex situations and each week we have a blended team of newer and older volunteers all with different skill sets, backgrounds, ages, personalities- seeing how we are able to adapt, learn and support each other as we help our clients, is so incredible to see.

Pantry Volunteer, Alison:

My role is to take in deliveries from varying suppliers and stock the Pantry ready for use. I started volunteering to focus my mind on other things and to give me a focus while going through a very difficult time in my life. Also satisfaction from giving something to help others.

A memorable moment was when FareShare opened the side door and the crates had tipped, we were running after tomatoes and apples!

EERN Volunteer, Edward:

I’ve supported Epsom & Ewell Refugee Network (EERN) with a number of things since they started.  This includes helping a young Syrian boy prepare for his GCSE’s, escorting a blind Ukrainian many to appointments and various practical tasks such as distributing flyers, washing up, giving lifts, escorting people to medical appointments, and helping at the Epsom Hub. I enjoy doing small but useful jobs that support the wider work of the team.

I’ve volunteered in various ways over the years, but was especially drawn to EERN because of past experiences working with refugees in Africa and later as an ambassador. I have a powerful memory of how the longing to go home stays with refugees for many years, and how disruptive displacement was and is.   The Syrian refugee crisis and the strong local response also inspired me to get involved.

There’s no single dramatic highlight, but I’ve cherished seeing refugees begin to feel settled—like celebrating a young Syrian’s GCSE pass or supporting a refugee-run café that’s now a local favourite. I’ve also been inspired by EERN’s ability to unite the whole community behind its work.