Thirty years of improving lives locally

On the evening of Thursday 30 April, friends, colleagues, funders and partners gathered at Pennyhill Park to celebrate 30 years of Voluntary Support North Surrey. It was a joyful and moving occasion; a chance to reflect on everything that has been achieved, and to look ahead to what comes next.

VSNS has its roots in a simple but powerful act. In 1993, Arthur Birkby MBE (pictured below), our founder and patron, was forced to give up work due to MS. Rather than step back from community life, he stepped forward. After volunteering at the Citizens Advice Bureau and seeing first-hand how hard it was to recruit volunteers, Arthur applied for a government grant to establish a new organisation dedicated to supporting volunteering in the community. His application, according to the assessor, was judged "simply the best." With a £100,000 grant and the support of Runnymede Borough Council, he built the organisation that would become VSNS, guided by a simple but powerful mission: 'Improving Lives Locally', which remains our mission today.

Arthur was unable to join us on the night, but CEO Solette Sheppardson spoke with him the day before, and reported that while his health is fragile, his spirit remains as strong as ever. Guests raised a glass in his honour.

Thirty years of growth

What began as a small organisation focused on volunteering in Runnymede has grown significantly over the decades. A merger with Surrey Heath in 2013 was followed by expansion into Spelthorne, and VSNS now proudly serves three boroughs across North West Surrey. Under Solette's 17-year leadership, the organisation's turnover has grown sevenfold. The numbers tell a remarkable story:

• More than £60 million in social value has been generated for local communities
• 8,000 volunteers have been placed and supported
• Partnerships with 2,000 organisations
• A network of 20,000 corporate volunteers

But as Solette was keen to emphasise on the night, behind every statistic is a person: a volunteer who gave their time, an organisation that was supported to grow, a resident whose life was made a little better.

The team behind the impact

None of this has happened by accident. VSNS has been built on the dedication of an exceptional team. Alison Morey, Deputy CEO, was recognised for her leadership across monitoring, fundraising, volunteering and training. Jenny, the organisation's longest-serving employee with around 25 years of service, continues to shine in volunteering support. Ramon, who began as a volunteer himself, now manages IT and websites for more than 20 partner organisations. Elaine's Time to Talk befriending service, which she founded six years ago, now supports hundreds of people across all three boroughs, thanks to the wonderful Time to Talk team of Clair and Karen. Jo leads the corporate volunteering programme, through which around a thousand employees volunteer locally every year. Special mention was also made of the VSNS Ukrainian team, including Oksana, who has provided essential community support to Ukrainian families rebuilding their lives in the area.

Celebrating with friends and partners

The evening included warm and generous words from several speakers. VSNS Deputy Chair Anne Elkington described VSNS as "supportive, adaptable and resilient, supporting the long-term development of charities." Anna-Marie Goodacre from Stanwell Foodbank and Stanwell Events called the VSNS team "family". Thank you too to Greg Scott, Chair of Surrey Heath Citizens Advice, Councillor Mark Nuti and Neelam Devesher DL, Surrey's Deputy Lord-Lieutenant for their kind words too.

Heartfelt thanks were also extended to funders and partners who have made the work possible over the years: Runnymede and Spelthorne Borough Councils, Surrey County Council, health partners, county councillors, the National Lottery, and the many voluntary organisations and community groups who have worked alongside VSNS throughout its history.

Looking ahead

Thirty years is a milestone worth celebrating. But as Solette reflected in her closing remarks, it is not just an anniversary - it is a movement that continues to grow. Everything VSNS has achieved has been made possible by the dedication of its team, the generosity of its funders and partners, and above all, the thousands of volunteers who give their time to make North West Surrey a better place to live.

Here's to the next thirty years.

With thanks to: Pennywell Park for their generous support of our event.

A Fond Farewell to Libby!

After 12 wonderful years with us, Libby Holcombe is retiring - and we want to take a moment to celebrate everything she has contributed during that time.

Libby joined VSNS at a time when integrated care was still finding its feet, and quickly became one of the original social prescribers in the area, attending multi-disciplinary meetings and connecting people with the support they needed before social prescribing became the recognised practice it is today. Over the years, she has supported countless local organisations, helped people into volunteering, and become a familiar and trusted face across Surrey Heath. 

Among her many contributions, Libby championed the introduction of Salesforce as our contact management system, played a vital role in keeping services running during Covid 19, was a valued member of the Surrey Heath Show committee, and organised a wide range of events with the borough council. She also led our Mental Health Forum for an impressive ten years, keeping the group going and ensuring its core purpose remained constant throughout. 

Libby has brought dedication, kindness, professionalism and warmth to everything she has done, and her contribution to our organisation and to the wider community has been invaluable. While we are excited for her as she begins this new chapter (lots of walking, travelling, and -by her own admission - absolutely no cleaning or DIY!), she will be greatly missed.

In the meantime, Solette, Alison, Elaine and Jo are all here and ready to help. Please don't hesitate to get in touch at info@voluntarysupport.org.uk or on 01932 571122.

Please join us in thanking Libby for her outstanding service and wishing her every happiness in her retirement. The photo above shows Libby with a certificate from Surrey Heath Borough Council, recognising VSNS's service to the community during Covid 19 - a fitting reminder of the difference she and the team made during one of the most challenging periods any of us can remember.

Please note: our Camberley office will be closing at the end of May, while we look at new options for our services and our team as we look at aligning with other changes in West Surrey. We will provide a further update about this in a future issue. In the meantime, we can continue to be contacted on info@voluntarysupport.org.uk or on 01932 571122.

New employment rights: next steps for organisations

Since February 2026, a series of changes to employment law have been coming into effect, with more due through 2026 and 2027. Changes introduced in April 2026:

• Statutory Sick Pay: More employees qualify, with no earnings threshold and no three-day waiting period.
• Day-one family leave: Employees are entitled to Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave from the first day in a new job.
• Bereaved Partner's Paternity Leave: New right to time off following the death of a child's mother or primary adopter.
• Collective redundancy protections: Increase to the protective award for non-compliance.
• Whistleblowing protections: Stronger protections for workers who report sexual harassment.
• Simpler enforcement through the Fair Work Agency: A new body to uphold workers' rights and support businesses with compliance.
• Holiday pay records: Employers are required to keep adequate records to show they have complied with holiday pay and entitlement rules. These records need to be retained for 6 years from the date they were made.
• Action plans: Employers with 250 or more employees are encouraged to publish the steps they are taking to reduce their gender pay gap and support employees experiencing menopause.
• Simplifying the trade union recognition process: simple-majority only required for recognition ballots and likely-majority test no longer required for recognition applications.

Looking ahead, changes to unfair dismissal protections come into effect on 1 January 2027 but these may require you to review your employment policies now, so it's worth not leaving this until the last minute.

The government has set up a dedicated website with guidance for employers and employees, which will be updated regularly as further changes are introduced. If you're unsure how any of these changes affect your organisation, it's worth seeking HR or legal advice.

Is your charity prepared for a crisis?

Most charity crises don't happen overnight. They tend to build slowly; repeated deficits, shrinking reserves, rising staff turnover, or warning signs that get noticed but not acted on. The challenge is knowing what to do when things start to go wrong, and having a clear enough head to do it.

Eastside People, a charity consultancy with extensive experience supporting organisations through difficult periods, has published a practical crisis checklist for trustees and senior leaders. Drawing on insights from Chairs and CEOs who have steered charities through serious difficulties, it covers nine key areas:

• spotting early warning signs;
• getting on top of the numbers;
• strengthening board-executive working;
• having honest conversations;
• developing options (including merger or managed closure);
• managing stakeholder relationships;
• looking after your people;
• seeking external help;
• capturing learning afterwards.

The key is to act early. As one Chair quoted in the guide puts it, things often drift for years before anyone acts - and the more time you have, the more room for manoeuvre.

Finance Toolkit essential guide for trustees

Key to good charity governance is ensuring that, as a trustee, you have a clear picture of your charity’s financial position. The Charity Commission's Trustee Finance Toolkit is designed to support trustees with this essential part of their role. The toolkit includes:

• Financial health check
• 5-minute finance guide
• Internal financial controls guidance
• Reserves guidance
• Advice on improving your charity's financial position
• Collaborative working

Volunteers Week - what we have planned

Volunteers Week starts next week on 1 June. This is a great opportunity to recognise the fantastic contribution your volunteers make to our communities and say thank you.

During the week we will be:

• thanking our volunteers
• promoting volunteering and our befriending service Time to Talk at  Chertsey Library on Thursday 4 June between 10.30am and 12pm, and on Saturday 6 June, from 10am at Egham Artisan Market
• celebrating the wonderful contribution of volunteers at the Runnymede and Spelthorne Volunteer Awards!

Please do take the time to celebrate and recognise your volunteers' contributions too. Resources including volunteering certificates and ideas for promoting volunteering opportunities throughout the week are on the Volunteers Week website. And do tag us in any social media posts - we will happily shout about the good work your volunteers do!

• X: @volsupportns
• Instagram: @volsupportns
• Facebook: @voluntarysupport 
• LinkedIn: @voluntary-support-north-surrey

New Spelthorne Forum marks Mental Health Awareness Week

Held at Stanwell Events during Mental Health Awareness Week, the first meeting of the new Spelthorne Mental Health Forum took place earlier this month. The Forum aims to help local groups better understand the different services available and build relationships with the people behind them - making it easier to support local residents.

The meeting included guest speakers Dak Shingadia from We Are With You (Talking Therapies) and Catherine Johnson, the Wellbeing Advisor working with foodbanks in Spelthorne.

The Forum will meet every three months to allow updates on services and networking. The next meeting will be in September. Anyone interested in coming along should contact Catherine Johnson, Wellbeing Advisor.

Spelthorne Healthy Communities Partnership Board - May meeting

The Spelthorne Healthy Communities Partnership Board met on Wednesday 13 May at the Council Offices in Staines, bringing together a range of local partners to discuss health and wellbeing issues affecting the borough.

The agenda included:

• a presentation on the West Surrey Poverty Truth Commission initiative from Becky Whale of Runnymede and Spelthorne Citizens Advice
• Surrey County Council's Neil Peters presented on the county's Men's Health Strategy
• Kate Peters from the Community Foundation for Surrey updated the group on their work
• Mark Hamilton from Active Surrey presented on the Stanwell Place Partnership

The meeting rounded off with working group updates covering community allotments, a coordinated approach to cycling, diversionary activities to address antisocial behaviour, and mental health.

Mental health network works for change in sports

The Sport in Mind Network is a community for organisations and individuals who want to create a lasting change in how mental health is portrayed in the sports world. The network is for any organisation or individual who works within the sport, physical activity and mental health communities who want to be part of a national force for good.

The network will deliver exclusive webinars, workshops, lunch and learns, quarterly newsletters, networking events and much more.

Using EDI Data for Impact: Collecting, Understanding and Taking Action

10 June, 1pm - 2pm, online

Run by Surrey County Council, this practical session is aimed at VCSE organisations looking to strengthen how they collect and use Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) data to better support their communities and use as a tool for funding applications.

The session will include practical guidance and tools, with follow-on opportunities for peer discussion and shared learning.

Surrey Heath Mental Health Forum – 3 June 2026

Our Surrey Heath Mental Health Forum continues to meet on a quarterly basis.  Our next forum will be Wednesday 3 June, 10.30am – 12noon at Places Leisure Centre, Camberley.

This event is for groups based in or operating across Surrey Heath with a connection to mental health, whether that’s through tackling isolation, age-related mental health or disability.

Speakers this quarter are Jamie Poole from Voices and Claire from Your Sanctuary, followed by a roundtable session where people can give an update on their service and share anything new for discussion.

If you’re interested in attending, please contact Alison for more details.

Charity Networking Event - 12 June, Enterprise House Egham

Our next Charity Networking Event will be held this June in Egham - and, for the second year, we are going to open up the event and give the floor up to all of you.

Your organisation will have the option to take a short five‑minute slot to introduce your work, talk about current projects or services, and share opportunities to collaborate. Spaces are limited, and priority will go to groups that did not present at last year’s similar event. Please email Alison if you'd like to book one of these presentation slots.

You’re also very welcome to attend without presenting — simply sign up below:

Digital Fundraising Training - 16 June 2026, 10am - 12.30pm

VSNS Chertsey Office

Join us for our Digital Fundraising training, where we’ll explore how to attract and engage donors through social media. This session will cover:

• Understanding your audience
• Telling your story effectively through digital channels
• Mapping out your donor journey

Whether you’re new to digital fundraising or looking for new ideas and ways to refine your approach, this training will provide practical insights to help you boost digital engagement and donations.

Runnymede and Spelthorne Older People's Forum – 18 June 2026

Our quarterly Runnymede and Spelthorne Older People's Forum will next meet on 18 June, 10.30am – 12.30pm at Staines Library.

This event is for anyone based in or operating across Runnymede or Spelthorne who works for an organisation with a connection to older people (there’s no defined age but approximately 55+), whether your focus is tackling isolation, age-related physical or mental health or another service.

At this meeting we will be joined by Stephen Mortimer Cleevely, Borough Lead for Independent Living, Housing and Health at Spelthorne Borough Council.

If you’re interested in attending, please contact Elaine for more details.

Proving Your Value to Funders - 16 July 2026

Writing a funding bid isn’t just about filling in a form; it’s about crafting a compelling story that funders want to be a part of.

It’s about making a compelling case for support, one that moves beyond good intentions to clearly show why your work matters. It’s about showing that no one else is already doing it for the community you support, evidencing the need, proving how and why it works, the change it is already making for individuals and in relieving demands on wider local resources, and the reasons it deserves backing for ongoing and increased impact.

Proving Your Value to Funders is a practical, insight-driven course designed to help you transform your funding applications into powerful stories of change.

The course will help you:

• Move beyond telling a funder your project will make a difference and show them how and why it already does with real-world examples
• Present your work as a compelling story of change, addressing the challenges and issues the funder cares about
• Back up your ambition with meaningful facts, figures, lived experience and evidence of the benefits through case studies
• Using data effectively (without overwhelming the reader)
• Connect emotionally while staying professional
• Demonstrate how your work reduces pressure on other services and the community, how it prevents escalation and crisis and illustrates long-term change
• Position your organisation as a credible, investable partner
• Present outcomes clearly, concisely and confidently so they feel confident in you and what you’re telling them!

Who this course is for

• Charity and community organisation leaders
• Social enterprise founders close to launch or those contemplating a community project
• Bid writers and fundraisers
• Anyone responsible for securing funding

Whether you’re new to bid writing or looking to strengthen your success rate, this course will help you present your project and organisation with clarity and credibility.

By the end of the course, we hope that you won’t just be asking for funding, you’ll be inviting funders to invest in meaningful, measurable change.

Please note: this training is now full. Please contact Alison to join the waitlist or ask us to run this training on a future date.

Social Media Marketing and Remarketing for Community Building - 21 September 2026

This workshop explores how to strategically use social media to attract, engage, and retain audiences through authentic community building. We will look at what is a reasonable expectation from your efforts, what kind of goals to set and how to achieve them. We will also cover the technique of growing an email list from your social media and website, and the fundamentals of remarketing, leveraging repetition and targeted messaging to really engage followers and subscribers  

By the end of the course, you will understand how to integrate social media, email marketing, and remarketing strategies into a cohesive system to nurture relationships and boost their engagement.

Key Topics: 

• Designing social media content that captures your target audience 
• Achieving engagement and building an online community  
• Growing and managing an email list effectively 
• Creating remarketing campaigns that reinforce brand awareness through repetition 
• Nurturing closer connections and longer-term relationships 

Recruiting and Manager Volunteers - 6 October, 10am - 3pm

This workshop is aimed at voluntary organisations who want to improve how they recruit and manage volunteers, and establish good practices to help retain the volunteers that they have.

Areas covered during the workshop are:

• Evaluating and planning the recruitment process
• Advertising and promoting your volunteer opportunities
• What should be included in a volunteer policy/agreement
• Understanding what motivates and de-motivates volunteers
• Methods of recognising and rewarding volunteers.

Training and Networking Events 2026

Surrey Heath Mental Health Forum - 3 June, 10.30am - 12noon

Charity Networking Event - 12 June, 10am - 12noon

Digital Fundraising Training - 16 June, 10am - 12.30pm

Runnymede and Spelthorne Older People's Forum - 18 June, 10.30am - 12.30pm

Proving Your Value to Funders - 16 July, 10am - 12noon

Charity Networking Event - 18 September, 10am - 12noon

Social Media Marketing and Remarketing for Community Building - 21 September, 9.30am - 12.30pm

Recruiting and Manager Volunteers - 6 October, 10am - 3pm

Summer Events 2026

Shepperton Fair - Saturday 13 June

Staines upon Thames Day - Sunday 28 June, 11am - 5pm

Strawberry Fair, Bisley - Sunday 28 June