We are a Community Interest Company created to support people who may be feeling lonely, disconnected or overlooked.
Founded by two experienced professionals, The Surrey Collective brings together decades of experience in commercial leadership, community development, project management and partnership working. Inspired by our own lived experiences, we created an organisation that combines professional expertise with genuine understanding, designing opportunities that help people feel connected, supported and able to thrive.
Everything we do is guided by three simple principles:
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We bring people together.
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We help people feel supported.
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We create spaces where people can connect, learn and grow.
Our programmes are open to anyone who feels they would benefit from community, connection or support.
People join us for many different reasons. Some are navigating neurodiversity, menopause, caring responsibilities, unemployment, social isolation or major life changes. Others simply want to meet new people, improve their wellbeing or reconnect with their community.
Whatever someone's story, they are welcome here.
Team Profiles
Ali Covelé - Co Founder & Director
Ali brings together a unique combination of commercial leadership, creative direction, project management and lived experience, helping shape The Surrey Collective into an organisation that is both professionally run and deeply rooted in the needs of the community.
Her career began in the commercial sector, where she spent over a decade
in the toy industry managing national marketing campaigns, product launches, exhibitions and six-figure budgets. Working with leading retailers including Argos, Hamleys, Harrods and Toys R Us, she became known for building strong relationships, improving processes and delivering complex projects from concept to completion. She also continues to coordinate commercial photography shoots for a leading UK toy company, overseeing everything from creative planning and logistics to on-set art direction.
Alongside this, Ali has spent more than 13 years working within a busy veterinary practice, introducing new systems and processes that have improved efficiency, streamlined administration and enhanced the client experience.
The direction of Ali's career changed as her family began navigating the realities of SEND, neurodiversity and prolonged school absence. Years spent working across education, health and social care systems gave her first-hand insight into the challenges many families face, while also reinforcing the importance of accessible, welcoming communities where people feel understood rather than judged.
Together with Roz, Alison founded The Surrey Collective to bring together professional expertise and lived experience, creating opportunities that reduce isolation, improve wellbeing and help people build confidence, friendships and a stronger sense of belonging.
Roz Naysmith - Co Founder & Director
Roz has dedicated more than 20 years to education, community development and creating opportunities that help people build confidence, improve wellbeing and feel more connected to their communities. Throughout her career, she has designed and delivered inclusive programmes that remove barriers to participation and enable people from all backgrounds to learn, grow and thrive.
In previous roles, Roz managed large-scale community learning and outreach programmes, overseeing a substantial annual budget and supporting more than 200 adult learners each year. She has built strong partnerships with local organisations, developed projects in response to community need and worked extensively with neurodivergent individuals, displaced communities and people experiencing social, cultural or economic disadvantage. She is recognised for her ability to bring people together, build trusted relationships and create welcoming environments where everyone feels valued and able to participate.
Alongside her professional career, Roz has spent many years advocating for her four children, each with their own unique strengths and additional needs, including autism, ADHD, PDA and dyslexia. These experiences have deepened her understanding of the challenges many families face when trying to access the right support, while reinforcing her belief that inclusive communities and early intervention can have a lasting impact on people's confidence, wellbeing and future opportunities.
Together with Alison, Roz founded The Surrey Collective to combine decades of professional experience with genuine understanding, creating opportunities that reduce isolation, strengthen communities and ensure that everyone has the chance to feel connected, supported and empowered to reach their potential.
Becky Poulson - Non-Executive Director
Brings a broad professional background across insurance, operations and administration, with experience in delegated authority, brokerage and business support functions. Offers independent oversight, sound judgement and a practical approach to governance, accountability and organisational development.
She also brings important lived experience as a mother of children with ASD, as a woman navigating menopause, and as someone who has personally benefited from yoga and community wellness support. This perspective strengthens her commitment to accessibility, inclusion and community-led approaches that help people feel supported, connected and empowered.Known for a collaborative and professional approach, she provides constructive challenge, supports effective decision-making and contributes to sustainable organisational growth.