Reports and Publications

Impact and learning from The Bridge - evaluation report

This report, commissioned by Walton Charity in early 2024, evaluates the impact of the Bridge community space over its first 9 months of operation.

The Bridge was set up in March 2023 as a community space in central Walton-on-Thames, offering practical support for people and families across Elmbridge. The pilot aimed to help working families struggling with the rising cost of living, offering breathing space and a helping hand across a time-limited period. The Bridge offers a dignified shopping experience for families, alongside tailored services to address the wider issues they may be facing.

The report found that the Bridge has offered holistic support to the significant benefit of clients in both the short- and long-term, revealing that 72% of Bridge clients no longer need external support after ending their engagement, with their lives in a more stable or better place than when they began. In the first 9 months after opening, around 90 members of the local community accessed the Bridge at least once. Feedback from clients has been overwhelmingly positive, with those interviewed reporting benefits including an increased sense of self-worth, improvements in diet, and reduced anxieties. One of the clients noted how “it’s there to be a bridge during your hardest times”.

We hope to use the findings from this report to ensure that we continue supporting local working families as best as we can and respond to their changing needs. Are you part of a working family living in Elmbridge that’s going through a tough time? You can self-refer to The Bridge for your first visit by completing this form.