WorkWell support now available to Surrey residents
Published October 6, 2025
Support
WorkWell support is now available to all adults in Surrey. Get free one-to-one coaching support to get a job or stay in work today.
Research shows there are hundreds of people in Surrey people with mental or physical health conditions who struggle to return to work after a period of absence.
One-to-one support from a WorkWell coach can help you return to work sooner. It can also help you from going on sickness leave and losing pay.
WorkWell coaches will provide a personalised support plan tailored to your needs. This may recommend employment and skills support, such as exploring new careers and talking to employers about changes they may need to make in the workplace. They may also recommend mental or physical activity support.
The support is free and usually lasts for up to six months. But it is not time limited meaning that the service is available for all the time you may need it.
The main thing is that you get the support you need to be healthy enough to stay in work.
WorkWell is a joint initiative from the Department of Work and Pensions and the Department of Health and Social Care to create a healthier and more productive nation.
Surrey County Council is delivering WorkWell in Surrey in partnership with local providers of health, wellbeing, employment and skills support.
It provides free, one-to-one work and health support service, helping people with health issues and/or disabilities to get back to work or remain in work by connecting them to local support providers.
People who are absent from work due to reasons such as mental health, Musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions and respiratory reasons often struggle to return to work after a period of sickness absence.
Anyone worried about how their health is impacting their ability to start, return to, or stay in work
Anyone who is in work, need support returning to work or are out of work for up to six months, who requires early intervention due to health related barriers
Anyone aged 16+ living in Surrey and registered with a Surrey GP surgery
Has the right to work in the UK
Those with more complex needs may be linked with other schemes that can provide longer term support.
Who provides WorkWell support in Surrey?
Surrey County Council is working with several providers to deliver WorkWell support.
This includes primary care services. These are the first point of contact in the healthcare system. And they include GPs, community pharmacy, dental, and optometry (eye health) services.
The local support providers we’re using are:
WayThrough (formerly known as Richmond Fellowship Trust) – WorkWell coaches aligned to Primary Care networks
If you would like to know more about how we use and store the information you give us, you can find further information in our Privacy notice.
Transitions Fair highlights opportunities for young people with additional needs and disabilities
Published September 16, 2025
Events
The Transitions Fair welcomed over 200 young people with additional needs and disabilities to Surrey County Council’s Woodhatch Place in Reigate to explore future opportunities. It was created by Surrey Careers Hub as part of National Careers Week.
This event was specifically created for young people educated in specialist schools and alternative provision. It helped them understand the options available for their transition from education to employment, further education, training or social settings.
The event saw enthusiastic participation from 12 Surrey schools, bringing together over 200 students.
The event was supported by over 20 exhibitors. This includes colleges and educators, employers, employment support organisations, apprenticeship providers and social settings. All offering valuable guidance and information to the young people in attendance.
Surrey Careers Hub also partnered with Macro staff employed on the council’s facilities management contract to showcase to students the people and the jobs that keep Woodhatch Place a safe, welcoming and accessible working environment.
Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport, and Economic Growth, attended the event to meet with students and exhibitors. He shared his positive reflections:
“The Transitions Fair is a testament to our commitment to ensuring that every young person in Surrey, regardless of their educational needs, has access to the resources and support they need to succeed, with no one left behind. It was inspiring to see so many young people engaging with the exhibitors and exploring the range of options for their future.”
Clare Curran, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Lifelong Learning said: “This Transitions Fair, and the work of the Surrey Careers Hub in general, is so important in helping to ensure Surrey children and young people with additional needs and disabilities are informed about the range of opportunities available for them as they head towards adulthood. I’m sure those attending left feeling inspired about their futures.”
A teacher attending said: “The fair was well organised, quieter and catered well to the needs of our students. The short film [about Macro staff] was brilliant and extremely engaging. All my students loved it and felt a sense of empowerment that they too can go and work for Surrey County Council in all different departments.”
Students were highly engaged and appreciated the opportunity to meet exhibitors. One commented: “Orpheus has amazing music program, flats on campus and help with getting houses once you’ve left. Sounds amazing.”
While another said: “I loved talking to the ‘Project Radio’ people and this is something where I can see myself going.”
About Surrey Careers Hub
The Surrey Careers Hub plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between education and employment, ensuring that all young people, including those with additional needs and disabilities, have the opportunity to find their best next step. The Careers Hub ethos is that every young person deserves the best possible start to their adult life: to choose their own path and fulfil their potential.
Surrey Careers Hub sits within Surrey County Council’s Economy and Growth Team. In partnership with The Careers and Enterprise Company, the Careers Hub works with Careers Leaders, educators, employers and training providers to inspire and prepare young people in education with modern, 21st century careers education.
Transitions Fair Exhibitors
Activate Learning
Ambitious College
Choice Care Group
Consensus Support
County Care
Dramatize
Early Years Workforce Development
Eurovia
Family Information Service
Jigsaw Plus
Linkable
Macro
My Employment Passport
Naturally Talented Me
Nescot
NHS
Orchard Hill College
Post19
Ringway
SEND Advice Surrey
SMP Alliance
Surrey Choices
The Orpheus Centre
Runnymede Open Doors inspires dozens of young people about their futures
Published July 16, 2025
News
Theme parks, fun football games and caring for the elderly are some of the experiences gained by Surrey students as part of the Runnymede Open Doors programme.
Open Doors provides young people with a chance to explore potential career paths in different industries, learn about the skills employers are looking for, and enhance their own skills.
About 180 young people from six secondary schools took part in the 2024 programme. They heard what it takes to design a rollercoaster at Thorpe Park, care for the elderly, run a football themed arena and cut people’s hair.
It was created and delivered by Runnymede Borough Council, Business Runnymede and Surrey Careers Hub. It was supported by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Matt Furniss, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth said: “We are delighted to be able to run Open Doors in Runnymede to enable young people to gain first-hand experience of differing workplaces and have genuine conversations with local employers.
“Programmes of this type, investing in the workforce of tomorrow, are vital in ensuring the long-term success of our regional economy, and we appreciate the time and energy the participating businesses have invested into the success of the scheme.”
A total of 10 Runnymede businesses took part in the 2024 edition of Runnymede Open Doors.
Each business devised their own unique itinerary to help the students experience a little of what it would be like to work there and hear more about the career pathways available.
At Avery Healthcare the students met several of the home’s residents, toured the premises and watched an exciting match of Balloon Tennis. They also had the opportunity to ask staff and residents for their own views.
Groups of students who visited Kick-X were first able to let off a bit of steam and understand the customer experience by trying out the various hybrid football facilities at the venue. They then took part in an interactive workshop where they brainstormed solutions to real-life challenges and opportunities faced by the business.
One teacher said: “We all absolutely enjoyed today’s visit to Kick X. Max has been fantastic. The session was very well planned, delivered. Max was enthusiastic, well-spoken and captured the student’s attention. He talked about the business, jobs, skills and values in a very exciting way and the students have got a lot from the session. They not only enjoyed the practical part but also the theory where they were taking part in some business ideas, offering advice and creativity. All our learning objectives were met thanks to Max. We are very grateful for this valuable opportunity.”
The young people visiting Thorpe Park were tested on their knowledge of the theme park’s history and heard the career stories of several key members of staff before undertaking an eye-opening behind-the-scenes tour of the park.
Almost every student who completed an evaluation form responded that the visit had helped them to understand more about the jobs and careers available with that employer, and 100% said they’d like to attend more employer visits in the future.
Who took part in Runnymede Open Doors?
Businesses
Thorpe Park
Avery Healthcare
Kick-X Football Arena
Geek Retreat
Stanhope-Seta
Snap Fitness
Achieve Lifestyle
Egham Orbit
Chop & Change Hair Salon
Page Personnel
Schools
Chertsey High School
Phillip Southcote School
Magna Carta School
Walton-Leigh School
Jubilee High School
Fullbrook School
Inspiring Surrey’s future workforce
Published June 16, 2025
Blogs
Inspiring Surrey’s future workforce is a passion for Georgina Angele, Strategic Hub Lead for Surrey Careers Hub. She has almost two decades of experience working to connect schools and colleges with employers. In our latest blog, she explains how Surrey businesses can play their part in equipping young people with future skills. And why it will benefit them and the wider economy down the line.
In today’s rapidly evolving job market, the importance of equipping young people with relevant employment skills whilst still in school or college cannot be overstated.
As we navigate the 21st century, the landscape of work is being reshaped by continual changes in technology, national policy and globalisation.
To support future economic growth and help young people achieve their potential, it is imperative we prepare them with the skills they will need to thrive.
As Strategic Hub Lead for the Surrey Careers Hub, it’s my role to directly work with employers and education providers to unlock opportunities. I bring them closer together, so we can ensure young people have a range of meaningful careers experiences while they are still in school and college.
Read on to find out more, or if you’re ready to involved sign up now to become a strategic Enterprise Advisor working with a local school.
Bridging the Skills Gap
One of the most pressing challenges facing economies across the UK is the skills gap, even in an economy as diverse and large as Surrey.
Employers across a range of sectors often report difficulties in finding candidates coming out of education with the skills required for the positions available.
This gap not only hampers business growth but also limits economic development.
This is why the creation of the Surrey Careers Hub just over a year ago has been so important to our regional economy.
We work with more than 97% of secondary schools, colleges, special schools and alternative provisions, in Surrey. We help connect them to employers in all sectors.
The aim is to ensure young people have an awareness of the opportunities available to them. We also make sure education providers know which skills their young people need to succeed once they finish their education.
The Surrey Careers Hub ensures there is a single approach for the whole county. And we can tailor this work to the key sectors which are crucial to our future economy. Such as Artificial Intelligence, gaming, creative industries and infrastructure.
By integrating careers provision into the education system, we can bridge the skills gap. This helps create an engaged workforce that is ready to meet the demands of the modern economy.
Enhancing Employability
Equipping students with relevant skills enhances their employability, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.
Skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, oracy (the ability to express yourself fluently and coherently), adaptability, resilience, and digital literacy are increasingly valued by employers.
By fostering these skills early on, we can ensure that young people are not only prepared for their first job, but also have the adaptability to navigate multiple career changes throughout their lives.
Seeing how these skills can be applied to the ‘real word’ is also crucial.
One way we do this is by supporting schools and colleges to provide regular engagement points for their students with employers.
These can range from mock interviews and workplace experiences to big events, such as the recent Transitions Fair.
We also look to level the field for those from disadvantaged backgrounds, as part of our wider No One Left Behind mission. So, we target our funding and interventions to support those young people who face multiple barriers to engaging in education, have additional needs and disabilities and experience socio-economic disadvantage.
By creating opportunities for all, we’re providing young people with the awareness and confidence to explore the range of opportunities that employers in Surrey can offer.
Aligning Education with Industry Needs
To effectively equip young people with relevant employment skills, it is essential to align the things taught in the classroom with industry needs.
This requires collaboration between educational institutions, businesses, and policymakers at both a national and regional level.
While we work strategically across Surrey, our work is guided and majority funded by The Careers & Enterprise Company, This is a national body funded by the Department for Education.
It oversees the provision of quality careers education in schools and colleges across the UK. It ensures all activities are aligned to the Gatsby Benchmarks. And has resources so that young people receive the guidance and support they need to make informed career choices.
One way we are doing this is by reinventing work experience. We’re acknowledging that a shift to hybrid working makes intensive weekly or fortnightly programmes during the summer challenging for many employers.
Instead, we are encouraging a shift for students to gain regular experiences of the workplace throughout their time in secondary education. This will include short, targeted workplace visits; one-day project-based experiences; and longer structured placements.
We are also working directly with employers to help them assess, monitor and improve their educational outreach. This helps achieve social value commitments, create a diverse workforce, and recruit local talent into their business.
Promoting Lifelong Learning
Promoting opportunity does not stop as soon as people enter the workplace.
The concept of lifelong learning is becoming increasingly important in today’s world of accelerated change.
By instilling a love for learning and a commitment to continuous skills development, we can ensure that young people remain adaptable and resilient in the face of change.
This mindset not only benefits their personal and professional growth. It also contributes to the overall economic health of the nation.
One way we’re doing that as a team is by running a programme of Teacher Encounters.
This takes subject teachers out of their classrooms and into the workplace. We piloted it last year with the gaming and cybersecurity sectors in Surrey (see our LinkedIn post here).
They learned how their subjects connect to the world of work and which skills employers need in their future workforce.
We are scaling Teacher Encounters this academic year to include a wider range of industries. This includes construction, highways, creative & cultural industries, engineering and the NHS. If you want to get involved, then please contact us.
How You Can Help
These are just some ways we are focused on equipping our young people with the skills to support future business growth. But we cannot do it alone.
The role of employers across the region is crucial to planning how we do this, and also in the delivery.
There are several ways you can support this work.
We’re currently looking for people with business experience to volunteer as Enterprise Advisers. This is a strategic role, working with Careers Leaders in schools to help them develop impactful careers programmes.
It’s a hugely rewarding role. You will have direct influence on the direction of the careers programme in the school you’re matched to. And you’ll help improve the prospects of the young people who attend that school.
After nine years in retail, Claudia’s passion for the planet led her to sign up to a Sustainability Skills Bootcamp from Surrey County Council. The free fast-track training course equipped her with new skills which she’s used to land a great new job.
Claudia is one of hundreds of people in Surrey to take part in Skills Bootcamps in 2024.
She saw an Instagram ad from Surrey County Council for the government-funded training. This perfectly aligned with her sustainability interests and sparked her decision to enrol.
The Skills Bootcamps journey allowed Claudia to juggle full-time work and study with the support of the training providers at Activate Learning.
In just a few weeks she gained the skills she needed to land a great job in an area she’s really passionate about.
She said: “The instructors were fantastic, making complex topics accessible and engaging.”
Packed with practical learning
Practical exercises are seen as the biggest benefit of Skills Bootcamps from Surrey County Council.
These enabled real-world application straight back into the workplace. Learning about the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) was incredibly rewarding.
Completing the Skills Bootcamps in Surrey was a game-changer. Claudia’s new skills and knowledge impressed at interview, leading to a role in a new company with an active approach to sustainability.
The Skills Bootcamp has empowered Claudia with the expertise to make a significant impact in her career. She is now equipped to champion sustainable practices in her industry.
Claudia said: “I highly recommend the Surrey County Council Skills Bootcamp in Sustainability.
“This well-structured course provides a great balance of theory and practical application – making it easy to integrate sustainability principles into both personal and professional settings.
“The course offers valuable insight into the vast field of sustainability, helping you identify areas you may want to specialise in.
“For me, it was a fantastic addition to my skillset. And it played a key role in helping me secure a new job with a company that has sustainability at its core.
“This course truly allows you to demonstrate your commitment to this field. It is a great stepping stone for anyone looking to make a real impact!”
Discover more about Skills Bootcamps in Surrey
We – as part of Surrey County Council – offer Skills Bootcamps in sectors that are crucial to Surrey’s future economy.
Any Surrey resident aged 19 and over can register for a course.
To find out more about the courses on offer, delivered through our training providers, visit the Skills Bootcamps website.
Not sure if this is right for you? Or need some extra help? Get in touch with our team of experts via our online Get Support Now form.
Please note funding for the current round of courses runs until the end of March 2025. Therefore, some courses may now be unavailable or have reached capacity.
Surrey Festival of Skills 2024 inspires thousands of young people
Published January 1, 2025
Events
Thousands of young people in Surrey have been inspired and fired up about their futures thanks to the 2024 Surrey Festival of Skills.
From supercars to snakes, cooking masterclasses to computer game demonstrations, there were opportunities galore for students to explore at the Surrey County Council event.
More than 2,000 students aged 14 to 18 packed into Surrey Sports Park in Guildford. They could meet, great and connect with dozens of employers, universities, FE colleges and training providers.
The aim was to showcase the fantastic opportunities on offer to them in Surrey, both now and in the future.
Highlights included hairdressing masterclasses, samosa making, VR headsets and a McLaren supercar.
There were also animals aplenty – with snakes, stick insects and lizards joined by a horse-riding simulator and robotic dog.
Young people who attended the free event described it as “impactful”, “rewarding” and “fantastic”.
Tim Oliver, Leader of Surrey County Council, opened the event. He said: “Now in its second year, the Surrey Festival of Skills is a fantastic platform for organisations across the county to showcase the array of opportunities available to our young people.
“Surrey has a vibrant and diverse economy, built on foundations of innovation and collaboration. We’re committed to working with public and private partners to grow our economy further while delivering benefits to our communities.
“But we can only do this with a skilled and engaged workforce. That’s why it’s so important to showcase the brilliant careers and training available to students right here on their doorstep.”
What is the Surrey Festival of Skills?
The Surrey Festival of Skills is open to all young people in education aged 14 to 18. This is regardless of whether they are educated in school, college, at home or by any other educational route.
It is organised and funded by Surrey County Council, with support from the Association of Learning Providers Surrey (ALPS).
More than 80 exhibitors took part representing a diverse range of industries. They included household names like Balfour Beatty, Siemens, McLaren, the Royal Navy and London Gatwick Airport.
Specialist sectors such as gaming, cyber security, osteopathy, adult social care and early years were also present.
All of Surrey’s further and higher education providers attended, along with a range of independent training providers.
Public sector careers were championed by the Animal & Plant Health Agency, National Highways, NHS, Surrey Police and Surrey Fire & Rescue.
“A day to remember”
Matt Furniss, the Council’s cabinet member for Highways, Transport and Economic growth, said: “Once again, the Surrey Festival of Skills has delivered a day to remember for everyone that took part.
“We know days like this can play a huge impact on the choices young people make when they leave school or college.
“I want to say a big thank you to all our exhibitors for once again supporting this fantastic event, especially our sponsors Haleon and Ringway. Thanks to their support, we can ensure this event remains free and accessible to thousands of young people across Surrey.”
Lewis Bridgman, Business Unit Manager at Ringway, said: “Ringway are committed to supporting local talent and building a brighter future for young people in our county. We believe in investing in skills and creating opportunities that pave the way for rewarding careers for a diversity of talent within the highways industry. Together we can build strong foundations for tomorrow’s workforce. Ringway are proud to have sponsored the 2024 Surrey Festival of Skills.”
Abeera Mohammad, STEM Lead at Haleon said: “Haleon are proud to have sponsored the Festival of Skills this year. As a world-leading consumer health company with our Headquarters based in Surrey, we were excited to promote STEM careers and give back to the community.”
Please note: the Surrey Festival of Skills is taking a break in 2025. There are lots of opportunities for young people to engage with employers in Surrey. Just contact the STEP Surrey team to discover more.
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