The Bridge is a community hub supporting families across Elmbridge who are struggling with the rising cost of living. It’s open on Tuesdays and Thursdays for families who have been referred. Please see below for opening times.
What support is available at The Bridge?
Downstairs, there is a shop-without-a-till where families can pick-up fresh, frozen and cupboard food and household supplies at no cost, freeing up money for other family essentials like utility bills and school uniform.
In the quiet space upstairs, families can also access specialist support and advice from Citizens Advice, Elmbridge Family Centre, Surrey Lifelong Learning and other local organisations. Regular wellbeing activities, like yoga, are available too.
Who can come to The Bridge?
The Bridge is open to working families (with children under 18) from across Elmbridge who are struggling financially but cannot access, or receive limited, government (or other) support. Families who are going through a change in their employment or financial circumstances and waiting to receive government support can also be referred.
How are families referred?
Local charities like Citizens Advice, HomeStart and Elmbridge Family Centre, and local schools, churches and GPs, can all make referrals to The Bridge. For more information about how to make a referral, contact Nina at info@waltonhersham.foodbank.org.uk.
If you are in a working family and meet the criteria, you can self-refer by using this form for your introductory visit. After this, you will need a referral from another organisation, which we can signpost you to.
How does it work?
Once a referral has been made, the team will contact families directly to arrange a time to visit The Bridge. After the first visit, another visit will be booked for a fortnight’s time. Families can visit The Bridge up to six times over three months. After six visits, families will need a new referral.
How is The Bridge different to a foodbank?
Unlike our local foodbanks who provide emergency food for people in crisis, The Bridge offers longer-term support for working families who are struggling with rising living costs but have limited support available to them. Upstairs there are informal meeting spaces available for local charities and community organisations to run workshops, advice sessions or just bring people together for a coffee and chat in the warmth.
“Families that have gone to The Bridge have commented on how welcome and unjudged they feel. They can choose food that’s right for their family and, quite often, they stay for a cup of tea and come out feeling much better.”
You can find The Bridge at 17 Bridge Street, Walton-on-Thames, KT12 1AE, just down the road from Aldi.
Opening times:
Tuesday 10-12pm and 4pm-6pm, and Thursday 10am-12pm and 4pm-6pm. Please note that all sessions still require a referral, but for your first session you can self-refer using this form. After that you will need a referral from an organisation.
To find out more about The Bridge or to book a meeting space contact us at bridge@waltoncharity.org.uk and we will get back to you or use the self-referral form.