The Bridge Appeal has raised an incredible £30,104, which will go directly towards keeping the doors of The Bridge open for longer.

Over £15,000 was raised by the public, through corporate partners, fundraising initiatives, and generous individuals. This total was then match funded by Walton Charity.

The highlight of the appeal was the Thames Bridges Trek, which saw a small but mighty team of volunteers and staff walk 25km from Putney Bridge to Tower Bridge, zigzagging across 16 famous London bridges. This incredible team raised over £6,000 in support of The Bridge appeal!

The Bridge is a community hub in the centre of Walton-on-Thames, which is open to working families that are struggling with the rising cost of living. It is a welcoming, non-judgemental place, featuring a shop-without-a-till and access to specialist advice services that aim to provide long-term solutions that lift families from the cycle of poverty.

We want to say a huge thank you to everyone that supported the appeal. Its success is a reflection of the strength of our Elmbridge community and the generosity of local people.

For Elmbridge resident Annabel, The Bridge offered her a “place of calm”, supporting her “through some of the most challenging hours, days, weeks, and months of my life.” Each penny raised will directly impact local families’ lives, meaning your support will ensure that the Bridge can remain a source of comfort for many. To learn more about The Bridge and what we do please visit our webpage here.

Walton Charity is now working to bring the magic of Christmas to more children in Elmbridge. We have partnered with Stripey Stork to launch a Christmas appeal to fundraise for bundles of toys and essential items. You can find out more by clicking on the button below.

We are delighted to see The Bridge, our community hub in the centre of Walton-on-Thames, win the Best Community Impact award in the Walton BID Business Awards!

The awards recognise the best businesses in Walton-on-Thames across nine categories, as voted by over 900 residents.

This award for The Bridge highlights the impact that this project has on local families and our positive reputation amongst the community, which is something we are hugely proud of. The local public have been significant contributors to the success of The Bridge, helping in all sorts of ways from our pre-loved school uniform pop-up shop to donations for The Bridge appeal.

We are also delighted that our fabulous foodbank manager Nina won runner-up for the Employee of the Year award, which recognises her truly tireless work ensuring the Walton & Hersham foodbank reaches everyone who needs it.

And perhaps our biggest achievement is winning ‘Best Dressed Duck’ for Billy, our representative at the Walton Duckathon, held in May.

Thank you to everyone who voted for us!

You can read more about the awards and see the other winners here.

A group of residents from our independent living schemes have been working hard alongside creative practitioner Anna Jones, in collaboration with the RHS, to create an exhibition called ‘The Making of a Modern Day Herbal’.

The exhibition explores the healing powers of plants, gardens, and nature that traditional herbals (botanical encyclopaedias) reveal in the modern day, through the RHS Library and Herbarium collections.

Each of our artists recalled their connection with particular plants and had the chance to make a cyanotype with a cutting of their favourite plant and other prized possessions. One resident chose lavender, as the scent reminds them of happy times. Their object is the last piece of knitting from their mum before she passed away, showing the poignant and emotive effort that went into creating this artwork.

The exhibition also featured information about our historic ties with Wisley Gardens and our awareness of the vital role nature has. Visitors have the chance to put a pin on a map of where their own healing garden is, and these pins are already covering the world.

We are proud to offer our green spaces to the local community, and are deeply aware of the importance that nature can have on wellbeing. We are keen for our allotment projects and other activities run on our green spaces to benefit the community we belong to. Many memories and stories are woven into the natural landscape of Elmbridge, and we want to protect these spaces for the future.

Do you have any stories about plants? Did your grandparents use peppermint to cure your stomachaches? Or lavender on a cut or sting? Let us know!

Check out the exhibition:
Where? Old Laboratory, RHS Garden Wisley, GU23 6QB

When? 7th September 2024 - 26th January 2025

The exhibition is free, but normal garden admission charges apply. Find out more on the RHS Wisley website.

We know education is one of the best routes out of poverty, but often children from low-income families face extra challenges reaching their potential at school.

Cleves School, in partnership with Oatlands School and Manby Lodge Infant School, has been awarded a two-year grant of £57,600 to support their most vulnerable families and strengthen the connection between these families and each of their schools.

The grant will fund part-time Home School Link Worker, Nickie Tewkesbury, who will assist parents and pupils facing challenges that may hinder school attendance. Nickie will dedicate one day a week to each school, providing targeted support to 96 Elmbridge families over the course of the year.

The initiative aims to not only improve school attendance but also enhance educational attainment, which is expected to have a significant positive impact on lifetime earnings.

Nickie Tewkesbury says, "I am really looking forward to working with Cleves, Oatlands and Manby Lodge schools to support the children and their families within the local community. We are very lucky to have a range of local charities and agencies that enable us to support our families in need and I am keen to make connections with these organisations and forge good working relationships that will enhance the school experience for our families."

In addition to this support, all three schools are holders of a Walton Charity Opportunities Fund which supports children and young people from families on a low-income with learning and other enrichment activities. Last year we provided £75,000 to 23 schools through our Opportunities Funds.

Enhancing educational opportunities for Elmbridge children is a key priority for Walton Charity. Recently, we awarded a three-year grant of £15,000 to Three Rivers Academy. This will enable the school to take a group of 36 vulnerable students, aged 11-14, to experience life on Jamie’s Farm.

Jamie’s Farm provides unique residential programmes for vulnerable students at risk of exclusion or struggling with social, emotional, and mental health issues. This support is crucial as suspension and exclusion rates are rising, according to the Department for Education.

Walton Charity supported the first group of student to attend the farm back in 2023.

During their four-night stay, the 12 students immersed themselves in farm life, taking responsibility for chores around the farm and working closely with the animals. Living and working together as an extended family, they cooked their own meals and took turns in small groups to cook for the whole group.

Evaluations have shown how this hands-on experience helps build self-esteem and confidence. For example, one student with additional needs, who had been struggling and receiving sanctions for disruptive behaviour at school, was invited to work with the farm’s sheep dog. The owner noted he was one of the most competent youngsters she had ever seen working with the dog and saw real potential in him for working with dogs and the land. This experience has led the student to consider a career working outdoors. It has also improved his relationships with staff, especially those who accompanied him on the trip.

Following the four-night residential, Jamie’s Farm allocate a professional therapy coordinator to provide both one-on-one and group sessions to support each child. They offer encouragement and visits to help students integrate their new skills into daily life.

There have been many positive outcomes from the recent trip and meaningful relationships have been fostered. We hope this grant will empower the students to improve their behaviour, engagement, and wellbeing, and gain essential life skills.

Last year, Walton Charity awarded £135,000 in grants to local schools to support learning and enrichment activities. Additionally, we provided another £75,000 to 23 schools through our Opportunities Funds, helping to finance clubs, trips, uniforms, food, and mental health support for disadvantaged pupils.

Walton Charity has raised over £10,000* for The Bridge community hub!

What is The Bridge?
At The Bridge, we provide families with access to fresh food, enabling them to prepare nutritious meals. Additionally, we collaborate with our partners to offer a range of support services, including financial advice, debt management, and assistance in finding employment.

What was the Thames Bridges Trek?
On Saturday 14 September, a team of 7, made up of staff, volunteers and trustees, joined 2,500 walkers to trek 25k across the capital with unrivalled views of the skyline & landmarks.

As part of our efforts to raise £10,000 we signed up as a listed charity of the 2024 Ultra Challenge Series Thames Bridges Trek.

Our team started at Putney Bridge before heading towards the city, then had a mid-point rest at The Oval Cricket Ground for snacks and a drink. They then continued the walk to Tower Bridge and the finish line, where they enjoyed an afternoon picnic in Southwark Park.

The total amount raised from the trek so far is…

£6,058

Well done Nina, Suzy, Louise, Jeannette, Vicki, Hayley and Andrea!

Thank you to everyone who donated - you’ve made a huge difference to local families by supporting The Bridge appeal!

We are thrilled to have been chosen as Squire’s Long Ditton’s Charity of the Year! The team at Squires chose us for our work in the local community and will support us in the coming year, raising awareness and money. Across their 16 branches, in 2023 Squire’s raised over £23,000 for local charities, primarily from special fundraising events.

The first of these events was the Plantathon, which involved some of our staff, including CEO Rob Mills, and residents from our independent living schemes heading down to the garden centre to plant autumn containers! We were very busy creating beautiful planters containing hebes, pansies, violas, and daffodil bulbs. Each planter sold for £12, with all proceeds coming to us.

So many planters were purchased that we raised £430! We want to thank everyone who came along and bought a planter, and also to Squire’s Long Ditton for arranging such a fun and well-organised event! All the money raised will help us in our vision of building a thriving Elmbridge community and will fund our efforts to support local people.

We are looking forward to the continuation of this partnership, so watch this space for details of upcoming events!

On Saturday, 10 August, Walton Charity partnered with Stripey Stork to host our first ever pre-loved school uniform pop-up shop.

The event took place at The Bridge, our community hub in the centre of Walton-on-Thames to support local families who are struggling with rising costs.

Local parents will know that the return to school is an expensive time of year, with rapidly growing children needing new school uniform, shoes, PE kit, and stationery. That’s why we transformed all three floors of The Bridge into a temporary school uniform shop, bursting with donations of pre-loved items.

On the day, we provided 46 Elmbridge families and 77 children with high quality, free items of clothing.

The Bridge was transformed into a school uniform shop with clothing of all sizes available

In total, we provided:

• 356 items of clothing and shoes

• Stationery

• Rucksacks

But the pop-up shop was more than just a money saver. Feedback from the families on the day showed how offering a helping hand meant more than just free items of clothing. For some children, it gave them the confidence to feel good about going back to school.

It prevented hundreds of clothing items from ending up in landfill, saving both money and the environment.

Thank you to everyone who donated school uniforms; your generosity has made a real difference to local families. We also extend our gratitude to our friendly and welcoming volunteers for organising and running the event so smoothly. Lastly, a big thank you to all the families who attended our first pre-loved pop-up school uniform event.

“He really wasn’t looking forward to starting school. Now he has his new shoes, he’s walking proudly with them on””

— Family visiting the pop-up event

Adrian’s Silphium is now 8ft tall!

Meet Adrian, one of our dedicated community allotment volunteers.

Adrian has attended the community allotment every week for numerous years, and is also a regular visitor of RHS Wisley. On a visit to Wisley a few years ago, he was inspired by the American prairie beds they had created around the lake of the greenhouse. It was there that Adrian fell in love with the bright yellow flowers of the Silphium, so bought some seeds and took on the challenge of growing his own!

Initially, he had little success, until suddenly one seed turned into a little plant and began to grow. Three years on, those little green shoots have grown to almost 8ft thanks to Adrian’s care and commitment.

Silphium is often known for its ancient species, which is now believed to be extinct. At the time, this species of Silphium was as valuable as gold, and was sung about in Roman poems and songs. Unfortunately, it went extinct in the Roman era due to being overused.

Luckily, Adrian’s species of Silphium has been much more fortunate! His hard work means they are now thriving in our community allotments.

Thank you Adrian!

For more information about how Walton Charity uses its green spaces to provide opportunities like this to grow spectacular plants, or to read more about our fantastic team of volunteers, read here.

Hanna Kerr volunteers at The Bridge as a yoga teacher.

The Bridge is a community hub helping local families from across Elmbridge who are struggling financially but struggle to access government (or other) support. The Bridge thrives thanks to our dedicated team of volunteers. These remarkable individuals ensure the seamless operation of our services, extending a warm welcome to clients and offering support to those facing challenging situations.  
 
Hanna Kerr, a yoga instructor, is one of the volunteers who gives back to our local community by teaching a weekly class at The Bridge.  We recently had the pleasure of discussing her passion for yoga and volunteering. 

How did you get into yoga? How long have you been practising? 

I stumbled into yoga quite accidentally and with some reluctance! My best friend’s mum, a fantastic yoga teacher, always raved about it while I was growing up. After years of hearing about its benefits, I finally decided to give it a try. At 19, I attended my first class and realised that everything she said was true. Since then, I’ve practised on and off. However, my real journey began six years ago when I met an amazing teacher in India. I did my training with her, and ever since, I’ve been deeply immersed in the power of yoga. 

How did your relationship with The Bridge come about? 

I’m passionate about giving back to the community through volunteering. When The Bridge first opened, just over a year ago, I walked in and met Suzy, the manager there. We chatted, and I asked if she would like me to teach. She was delighted, and that’s how it started! 

How often are you at The Bridge? 

I aim to run a class there every week, if my full-time work schedule allows. Fortunately, it usually does! 

What are the benefits of yoga for people going through a difficult time? 

During tough times, prioritising self-care can be challenging and yet it’s vital. We often push ourselves to do more, but we forget to pause and think about our own well-being. Even just 5 minutes of yoga can work wonders. Movement helps release stressful energy that lingers, leaving us feeling irritable or snappy. Breathing exercises calm the nervous system, allowing us to cope better with life’s challenges. Tapping into your breath is a natural way to manage stress and find peace. 

Can anyone practise yoga? 

Absolutely! If you can breathe, you can practice yoga. 

What advice would you give to someone who wants to try yoga? 

You don’t need to be super flexible or have 60 minutes to spare. In truth, all you need is your body, your breath, and just 60 seconds. Breathing mindfully can significantly reduce stress levels. Don’t worry about being judged in class either—most of the time, the only one judging you is yourself. As a teacher, I’m thrilled when students show up, and I look forward to guiding them through the practice.  

If you are interested in joining Hanna’s yoga classes at Walton Bowling Club, she is offering the first class free of charge.  Classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6pm. 
Please contact Hanna for full details: hello@hannayoga.co.uk 

Read more about The Bridge here

Thea is a student at Three Rivers Academy in Walton on Thames. We asked Thea to look back on her experience and share her thoughts.

Why did you choose to do your work experience at Walton Charity?

I decided to do my work experience at Walton Charity because I was uncertain about my future career path. I believed that gaining experience with a charity would provide valuable skills and insights, regardless of the direction I eventually choose. Plus, the opportunity to help people in my local community was something I appreciated.

Let me walk you through my week:

Day 1: Introduction and research

On my first day, I had the chance to meet Rob Mills, the Chief Executive Officer of Walton Charity. He gave me an overview of the charity’s 800-year history and its mission. My main task was researching the support and grants available for students entering further and higher Education. It was fascinating to learn about the ways the charity assists people.

Day 2: Community Allotment and social media

Tuesday took me to the community allotment on Terrace Road. I spent the day finishing a mural and doing some gardening. Being outdoors and chatting with volunteers made it a fun day. I got the chance to create a social media post too.

Day 3: Foodbank and Fenner House

Wednesday morning was all about the Walton & Hersham Foodbank. I helped them by stocking the donations of food and I gained great insight into how the foodbank operates at the same time. In the afternoon, I visited Fenner House, which is one of the charity’s independent living schemes for older people. I did an inventory of tools with the maintenance team. Attending a virtual team meeting provided more valuable insight into the charity’s collaborative efforts.

Day 4: The Bridge and more foodbank duties

On Thursday I started at The Bridge, which is a great new project helping people who are struggling to make ends meet. I restocked shelves in the shop and learned about its function. Sorting donated school uniforms was another task. Later, back at the foodbank, I replenished supplies from the stocks at the warehouse. I also categorised Elmbridge’s numerous charities using Excel—a revealing exercise as I had no idea how many charities operated in such a small area.

Day 5: Research and event planning

On my final day I researched transport options for residents of Fenner House and Mayfield (both are Walton Charity’s independent living schemes). Additionally, I searched for local bands that could perform at summer events for the residents.

Which roles did you particularly enjoy?

Although I found each day unique and interesting, I most enjoyed going to the foodbank because I felt that was the role in which I most actively got involved with helping people in the community, and it was great to learn more about how it works. All the volunteers were really friendly and made me feel at ease when I was there.

Any final thoughts on your work experience week?

I really enjoyed my time at Walton Charity because everyone I met was really lovely and made me feel welcome throughout the whole week. At the beginning, I had no idea about how many different things the charity does and how much it contributes to our local area, so I am very grateful I got to learn about everything it offers. It was also really important to find out about poverty in Elmbridge and how often it goes unnoticed. The entire week was varied, interesting and always kept me busy and challenged.

Thanks to everybody who organised and contributed to it, and I would definitely recommend work experience at Walton Charity to any student at Three Rivers Academy – it’s so local to the school and a great place not only to learn about the world of work, but also the importance of helping other people.

If your company is interested in providing work experience opportunities, please contact Three Rivers Academy.

We love it when two of our partners get together to help the local community – and we have a fantastic example with BRITE Box and Herb Fresh.

BRITE Box is a weekly recipe kit provided to local families via schools, offering fresh ingredients and cooking instructions to help cook delicious budget friendly meals. BRITE Box helps with the weekly food budget but also encourages children to enjoy getting involved in the kitchen, whilst providing opportunities to try a range of foods, flavours and recipes and build resilience for the future.

Walton Charity has supported BRITE Box by providing a community grant of £65,000 over three years, which will enable the project to provide weekly meal kits to 180 local families. Herb Fresh is based on land owned by Walton Charity in Hersham and provides fresh herbs to supermarkets across the country. They are a long-standing tenant whose aim is to not only grow herbs, but to do so in an environmentally friendly way which benefits the land and local community.

Herb Fresh provided the mint for BRITE Box’s Moroccan meatball recipe, supplying over 100 boxes to 10 schools in the area. The boxes smelt amazing!

We’re sure this addition of fresh and local ingredients will be much appreciated and there are plans for the two to work together again in the coming months.

Walton Charity has a long history of tackling poverty in Elmbridge and our more recent initiatives include the Walton & Hersham Foodbank and The Bridge.