Social exclusion occurs when people within a community are relatively deprived socially or economically. These can often be additive, so for example without a regular income it may be harder to eat healthily or heat homes adequately. This combination of effects can be measured using an index of multiple deprivation.

Building social inclusiveness within a community can reduce crime, improve educational levels and increase the proportion of the community living in a decent home.

Have a look at Your Runnymede to see what is being done to promote social inclusiveness in the Borough.

Runnymede objectives and indicators

Runnymede's sustainability objective is to create and sustain vibrant communities through improving accessibility to services and facilities and opportunities to engage in diverse cultural activities.

A recent survey on energy use, sent all residents in the Borough, found that 24% of respondents are in fuel poverty and will struggle financially to heat their homes.

Map 1.1 shows areas of relative deprivation within the Borough compared to the average for 32,482 areas in England, using an index of multiple deprivation. This ranks each area within the country where a rank of 1 means it is the most deprived in England and a rank of 32,482 is the least deprived.

Runnymede generally experiences low levels of deprivation, typically in the top two quartiles relative to the rest of England. There are small pockets, about 8% of the Borough, in the lower two quartiles; in Chertsey St Ann's, Chertsey Meads and Egham Hythe.

Runnymede actions and related organisations

The Warm front campaign allows people suffering from fuel poverty with ways to heat their homes adequately.

The Borough has many services for older people including Day centres, Dial-a-ride and Careline.