2023 has been another difficult year. Rising living costs have put extra pressure on family budgets and, as our recent research shows, in-work poverty in Elmbridge is on the rise.

But once again, our local community has stepped up to provide support to those who need it most.

The response to our Cost of Living appeal was phenomenal and, thanks to match funding from Elmbridge Borough Council, we raised over £50,000 to provide much-needed support to local families.

And this Christmas, residents, businesses, schools and community groups across Elmbridge have generously supported our Santa Stork Christmas appeal, ensuring more local children will have a present to open on Christmas day.

Throughout the year, we continued to work closely with our partners and community and, together, have taken steps to tackle poverty and inequality in our local area.

Here are some of our favourite moments from 2023…

• Funding more fantastic community projects including fresh recipe boxes for local families, financial inclusion advice for foodbanks clients, and practical and emotional support for local parents.

• Opening the doors to The Bridge our new community hub for families struggling with the rising cost of living. A big thanks to the young artists whose designs inspired the new Bridge logo!

• Welcoming our new Chief Executive, Rob Mills, who took over the reins in March after 2 years as a Walton Charity trustee. We also bid a fond farewell to Jackie Lodge, who led Walton Charity for 14 years.

• Watching our green spaces flourish - welcoming Rewilding Forest School and Guided Wellbeing to the Tree Canopy Project, and watching flowers, vegetables and friendships grow at our Community Allotment.

• Celebrating the talents of our independent living residents as they sewed, crafted and sowed for some of 2023’s biggest events.

• Filling 20 Minis full of food to mark 10 years of the Walton & Hersham foodbank and the vital support the team provide for local people in crisis.

For more on the stories behind these highlights, just click on the photos below.

Thank you to all of our partners, supporters, volunteers, staff and trustees who have helped to make these moments - and all our work - possible.

We look forward to working together again in 2024.