A charity helping homeless and vulnerable people across Surrey has relaunched.

Dominic Raab, MP for Esher and Walton, joined the deputy mayor of Elmbridge Councillor, Janet Turner, at the launch on Wednesday, August 10.

Surrey Community Development Trust, which has helped more than 15,000 people since it was founded in 1972, will now be known as Transform Housing and Support.

Transform staff work in Elmbridge, as well as Sutton and Wokingham, helping people build their skills and confidence so they can eventually support themselves.

The poor and vulnerable in Elmbridge are often forgotten, yet with the highest housing costs in the south east, with house prices 17.8 times the average national salary, pockets of real deprivation are inevitable.

Mr Raab said: “Elmbridge has long been neglected in terms of Whitehall funding for local services – which means areas of need and neglect are overlooked.

“It is often local charities, like Transform, which step up to the plate, looking out for those who are vulnerable or who have hit rock bottom, getting them back on their feet and living independent lives.”

One person the charity has helped is Tony Daniel, 48, from Thames Ditton, who joined Mr Raab at the charity’s relaunch.

He was referred to the charity by Elmbridge Rentstart while living with out of his car, and with friends.

Mr Daniel said: “I was broke, I wasn’t well mentally. I lost my world. I had to accept a future without my family.

“It was quite a slow process but eventually I was starting to feel happier by talking to the staff and getting some self-worth back. I then became more motivated and started to look to my future and starting my own business again.

“Transform made a massive difference. I went from being homeless and unhappy to having more confidence, having my own flat and just being in a much better place.

"I am very grateful to them, in particular my key worker. People should support Transform because they provide a great service for people in need. They help people at their lowest point.”

Visit transformhousing.org.uk for information.