Runnymede Borough Council is committed to improving the wellbeing of the people of Runnymede.  In the pursuit of this the Council financially supports key voluntary and community groups including:

• Runnymede Association of Voluntary Services (providing a volunteer bureau as well as administrative support and advice to voluntary and community organisations and groups)
• Town Twinning Association
• Age Concern Runnymede
• Runnymede Citizen's Advice Bureau
• Runnymede Careline 24 Hour service
• Runnymede Rentstart
• Disability Advice in Runnymede and Spelthorne
• Relate West Surrey
• Runnymede Community Forums
• Surrey Community Development Limited
• Runnymede Mental Health Association
• Addlestone Community Association
• Thames Rescue Service
• Runnymede Association of Arts
• Runnymede Sports Council

To recognise the value to the community of the small unconstituted community groups, a new grant has been introduced for small community groups (including faith groups).

The Council also provides discretionary services which is not statutorily obliged to do so, for the benefit of the community e.g. Safer Runnymede.  This 24 hour service monitors CCTV around Runnymede, and receives calls from Careline (the Council's community alarm for vulnerable people).  The operators have knowledge of the geography of the area and local contacts for services.

Runnymede Borough Council aims to make it's service fully accessible and this is reflected in the objectives of the Runnymede Community Strategy where equal importance is placed on working in partnership with statutory and voluntary organisations, to work towards a seamless and integrated service for Runnymede residents.  In addition, the WITS interpretation service is available to all people who need this support to access the Council's services.

The Council also works closely with the private sector.  A questionnaire was piloted through the Runnymede Business Partnership to identify any health, social care and voluntary sector information needs amongst the private sector in Runnymede. As a result of the survey a series of leaflets were produced under the title Where Can I Find Help?  This included a leaflet for Life's Difficult Times with contacts for bereavement, relationship problems, mental health needs (e.g. depression), for victims of crime etc.  Further leaflets in this series are Living with Illness and Disability and Help and Information for Parents, Carers and Relatives Supporting Children and Families. These leaflets are on the Health and Social Care Portal.