Cllr Mike Rollings, Leader, Elmbridge Borough Council commenting on Connected Communities
“The Community Services Transformation marks a positive step forward for Elmbridge. While some may attempt to distort the facts, the reality is clear: our community centres will be run by the community, for the community, with council support and oversight.
“No one will be left behind, and no centre will close under Elmbridge’s watch.
“These proposals are about more than today, they’re about securing a sustainable, inclusive future for community services and our residents in need as we transition into the new unitary council.”
What’s happening with Community Support in Elmbridge?
We have spoken to our residents and community partners, we have analysed health and wellbeing data and as a result we are transforming community support in Elmbridge to reach more people in need, in a financially sustainable way.
We are transforming our services into a model of community support that reaches more of our residents, including older people and those facing financial hardship, social isolation and mental health challenges that prevent residents from living well. This work is called Connected Communities.
To achieve this we are:
- enabling our Centres to be run by the community for the community as Community Hubs
- introducing Local Area Co-ordinators to provide support to those most in need. They will create a complete support plan and make sure our most vulnerable residents are getting the help they need to live well
- supporting Community Connectors, trained local volunteers who will ensure residents are signposted to the support they need
Why is this happening?
Our current model of support is dated and is not reaching enough of those in need in Elmbridge. We are helping less than 1% of the Elmbridge population, but nearly 12% of our residents are facing real challenges to living well.
We want to help more people in need in a financially sustainable way.
Around the country, the evidence is clear that a model of prevention and connection works – more people are supported, more people feel connected to their community and more people thrive. We want to help our community to live well.
As Surrey prepares for local government reorganisation, now is the time to make changes that support our community, strengthen connections, and ensure our services are financially sustainable.
What is the timescale for this change?
We are working on an 18-month transition timetable and will keep you fully updated on the programme as we progress.
The first Community Hubs are expected to launch in spring 2026. In the meantime, the Centres for the Community will continue to provide services.
What’s happening to the Centres?
The goal of our transformation is to facilitate a shift from a traditional day centre model for the elderly to vibrant new spaces where a more diverse range of residents can get the support they need to thrive.
Many of our borough’s community hubs (often supported financially by Elmbridge Borough Council but not run by Elmbridge), are stepping up to meet the changing needs of our residents.
Hubs, such as the Lower Green Community Centre and the Elmbridge Eco Hub, are vibrant, inclusive spaces that go beyond traditional support. They welcome people of all ages and backgrounds, helping them feel connected, supported and well. We want to build on this strength, ensuring every resident has access to the kind of support they need.
We have received bids for all six Centres for the Community: Claygate, Cobham, Weybridge, Walton, Molesey and Hersham. These bids came from local community groups, some working in partnership, who share a vision to expand support for residents of all ages and backgrounds. Their proposals include activities, services and initiatives that bring people together, tackle isolation, and strengthen community resilience.
How long can I keep going to the Centres?
You can continue attending your regular Centre for now.
If you regularly attend a centre that moves to being a Community Hub, we will contact you and support you to attend another centre or that Community Hub which will be a welcoming and inclusive space for all in our community.
What’s happened to the Meals on Wheels service?
Our Meals on Wheels served just over 140 residents, with meals prepared by 5 Centres for the Community and delivered by dedicated volunteers.
To better understand individual needs, we have been directly contacting our Meals on Wheels clients. Based on these conversations, we have developed tailored support plans. These include referrals to Adult Social Care or providing advice and guidance on transitioning to an alternative meals provider, depending on each person's circumstances.
No one has been left without access to meal provision. Supporting people’s wellbeing remains our top priority.
What’s happening to Community Transport?
Through our community engagement it was clear that travel and public transport were key challenges to address in Elmbridge. Therefore, we will continue to deliver this service to enable our residents to travel to community hubs and to enable a thriving voluntary sector.
In the future, with local government reorganisation, there is the potential to align the community transport offer with wider transport provision in the Surrey area such as The East Surrey Rural Transport Partnership (ESTP), a charitable organisation working with local councils to provide local community transport and operate services in East Surrey and East Sussex areas or Surrey County Council’s Surrey Connect, an on-demand bus sharing services currently operating across North Surrey, Southwest Surrey, Central Surrey and East Surrey.
What will happen to Dementia Services?
Dementia Services will continue to run its centre of excellence from the Claygate Centre for the Community while we transition to the new model.
In parallel, we are proposing £60,000 to explore the feasibility of transitioning the service into an independent entity, either as a charity or a Community Interest Company (CIC).
This highly valued service is the only facility providing support for people living with dementia in the borough and demand is growing. There are currently estimated to be 982,000 people with dementia in the UK, but more than a third of people with the condition do not have a diagnosis. The number is expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040.
There are several benefits for considering this change, such as providing an opportunity for wider funding streams, which in turn will help to drive initiatives to further develop as a centre of excellence.
This work will allow Elmbridge Borough Council to make an informed decision on the most appropriate and effective future model for delivering dementia care services in Elmbridge.
Where will I go for my lunch?
As we transition you can continue to receive lunch as normal at the Centre of your choosing. With the Community Hubs, there will be potential for operators to offer a café but more fundamentally the Community Connectors will ensure residents are signposted to the support they need including local lunch offerings.
Can this transformation wait until the outcome of local government reorganisation?
Moving to this model means we can support more people in need, while being financially sustainable. This approach aligns with the goals of local government reorganisation, delivering better services, reaching more residents and reducing costs through smarter, more joined-up working.
This work places our residents in a stronger position ahead of the changes with local government reorganisation. Regardless of the government’s decision, more of our residents will be supported. Nearly 12% of our residents are facing real challenges to living well - young people, unpaid carers and low-income families for example.
This is a model that not only connects our community and focuses on community health and wellbeing but that also saves this council £1 million per year – essential as Surrey moves through local government reorganisation.
What will happen to the hairdressing and podiatry services?
These services will continue during the transition to Connected Communities. When the centres become Community Hubs it will be the decision of those running the hub as to what services they offer local residents. Our community partners will co-design and co-produce services that truly reflect the needs, hopes, and strengths of our community.
Do you still need volunteers?
Yes, we still need volunteers. As we transition our volunteers remain important and going forward we want to unlock the power of local volunteers.
The Elmbridge Volunteer Fair on 14 January 2026 will bring together local charities, community groups and organisations looking for volunteers. Attendees will have their skills and interests and make a difference in the community.
Can we still hire the Centres?
Current hiring arrangements will continue, and we are contacting hirers directly to discuss their arrangements as we progress with the Community Hubs.
Will we still have special lunches?
Special lunches will continue at the Centres as we transition to Connected Communities. Check the centres activity programme for the latest information.
Can I still use the gym or go to classes at the Centres?
Yes, as we transition to Connected Communities the Centres activities will continue.
If you received more funding, could the Centres stay open as they are?
The figures are clear that Elmbridge spends more on community services than its neighbouring boroughs and districts. Elmbridge’s spend is £4.2 million compared to between £1 to 2.5 million in other Surrey councils. That service model no longer works as we only help less than 1% of our residents. With the continued pressures on councils, that model of delivery is financially unsustainable whether the service is discretionary or statutory.
This is why councils around the country such as Oldham, Leeds and Thurrock, have already adopted the model of prevention and connection, allowing more people to be supported, more people to feel connected to their community and more people thrive.
Can there be dedicated day(s) at the Community Hubs for older people?
The offering at the Community Hubs reflects the vision of the groups or individuals running them and the needs of the local community. We expect them to engage with local residents of all ages and to adapt their offering to the needs of the community.
My parent will be stuck at home now because of these changes.
We will establish a team of Local Area Co-ordinators to provide support to those most in need. Their role will be to create a complete support plan including access to Community Hubs and activities to make sure our most vulnerable residents are getting the help they need to live well.
How will the Local Area Co-ordinators work?
We will establish a team of Local Area Co-ordinators to provide support to those most in need. This support will create a complete support plan and make sure our most vulnerable residents are getting the help they need to live well.
For example, Thurrock Council’s Local Area Co-ordination (LAC) model supports people to stay connected by focusing on early help, personalised support and community involvement. Co-ordinators work alongside individuals to build on their strengths and link them with local resources.
What will the Community Connectors do?
Community Connectors will be trained local volunteers who will ensure residents are signposted to the support they need.
For example, in Leeds during COVID, the Community Champions programme trained local residents to share trusted health information within their communities, using their cultural knowledge and networks to improve access and understanding.
Who can I complain to?
Our website sets out the process of complaints for Elmbridge Borough Council. We ask that consideration is shown to our employees at the Centres.
Won’t this just put more work on charities / voluntary sector groups who are already stretched?
We have worked closely with the voluntary sector in Elmbridge throughout this process to better understand where support is most needed.
Their insight has been invaluable and they support the Connected Communities approach, recognising the growing challenges faced by residents, particularly around financial hardship, social isolation and mental health.
We have always been proud of the outstanding work of our local community groups and charities. For years, they’ve stepped into support those who might otherwise be overlooked by traditional services. By strengthening our partnership with them, we can break down barriers and ensure more people get the help they need, when and where they need it.
What will happen to all the hard-working centre staff?
During this period of transformation, we are speaking to our employees about the uncertainty change can bring. We are committed to approaching this transition with empathy, transparency, and care. While some roles may evolve and new ones emerge, there will be redundancies, and our priority is to support our employees through this transformation.
Read more on how we are building a connected community to help more people in Elmbridge live well
For more information see connected communities