Meet the Business: Walton Charity: Building a Thriving Elmbridge Community
Local foundation Walton Charity shares how they are creating a better future for the people of Elmbridge.
Based in the heart of Walton-on-Thames, Walton Charity is a charitable foundation working to reduce poverty and inequality in Elmbridge. With deep roots in the area dating back over 800 years, the charity offers a diverse and wide-reaching range of initiatives using its grants, green spaces, and property assets to support individuals and families facing financial hardship. Walton Charity provides practical, non-judgemental support to help people through tough times.
Creating Practical Support for Real Challenges
At its heart, Walton Charity exists to build a thriving Elmbridge community. One of its proudest initiatives is The Bridge, a warm, welcoming community hub for working families struggling with the rising cost of living. If you’re a local working family struggling with rising costs, you could find support through their community hub. The Bridge not only offers free groceries but also guidance through links to local support services like Citizens Advice. The Bridge is part of the Walton & Hersham foodbank, which works across the borough to help people in crisis.
Tackling Housing Inequality in Elmbridge
Another focus area for the Charity is tackling housing inequality, especially in such an expensive borough to rent and buy. Walton Charity owns almshouses for over-55’s, which provide affordable independent living for people with limited financial means that want to benefit from the support and socialisation opportunities on offer. They also work with organisations like Rentstart and Transform Housing to offer secure, supported social housing to those at risk of homelessness.
Green Spaces with a Purpose
Walton Charity also makes its acres of green spaces available to local people, such as through the community allotment on Terrace Road, where gardening becomes a way for people experiencing social isolation or facing barriers due to mental or physical health issues to come together and learn new skills. You can find out more about their different green spaces projects here.
A Shared Mission
For ways to support Walton Charity and help to build an Elmbridge community free of poverty and inequality, visit www.waltoncharity.org.uk or follow them on social media to discover how you can get involved:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourWaltonCharity/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourwaltoncharity/