Alex Munro, Rector, St Peter’s West Molesey
We have a really good working relationship with Elmbridge Council. Over the last few years, they have sought to work with community partners like us. They really want to hear what support residents need and to work with community partners to shape that support.
Rob Mills, Chief Executive, Walton Charity
Walton Charity provides holistic support to residents from across Elmbridge, including through grants, housing, community buildings and our green spaces. The cost-of-living crisis has meant that many are now struggling financially, and demand for our services, and that of many of our partners, has been rising. In the last year alone our foodbanks fed over 5,300 local people—the highest number on record.
Being a local charitable foundation means that our support is led by our community, for our community. We are keen to have as wide a reach as possible within the borough, and continue working with the council to assist those who need it most.
Vicky Zadeh, Founder, Waste to Plate
At Waste to Plate, we’re reimagining the future of food and community. Rooted in sustainability and driven by compassion, our mission is to rescue surplus food and transform it into opportunity, reducing waste, easing the pressure of the cost of living, and nurturing dignity through access and choice.
With the valued support of Elmbridge Borough Council, we’re proud to grow a more connected, resilient borough, one where shared action creates lasting change and everyone has a place at the table.
Sarah Clay, Founder and CEO, Voices of Hope
Voices of Hope is a charity dedicated to supporting the wellbeing, resilience and flourishing of women and children across the borough. Our work focuses on empowering those who are facing isolation, hardship, or the long-term impacts of trauma—through practical support, creative programmes, and community-building initiatives.
In the past year, our partnership with Elmbridge Borough Council, along with other local partners, has enabled us to establish the new Elmbridge Women’s Hub: a safe, welcoming space where women can find connection, access tailored support, and begin to rebuild their lives.
The council has also played a vital role in supporting the expansion of our BRITE Box programme locally, helping families build skills and confidence around healthy cooking and nutrition, especially during a time when the cost-of-living crisis has left many struggling.
We're really grateful for Elmbridge Council's genuine desire to listen to communities, to collaborate with grassroots organisations, and to shape services that meet real needs.
Stuart Selleck, Chair of Trustees, Lower Green Community CIO
“At the Lower Green Community Centre, our dream of creating a welcoming, caring and empowering space for local residents has come to life. We offer a place where people of all ages can drop in for a friendly chat, get involved in activities and receive help and support if needed. Working with local partners including Elmbridge Council we’ve expanded initiatives such as our advice café and community fridge. When times are tough, we want to ensure everyone has a place where they can find friendship, encouragement and the support they need to thrive.
Seeing the Centre grow into such a vital part of Lower Green, and knowing we're helping to build a stronger, more connected community, is deeply rewarding.”
Helen Watson, Chief Executive, Rentstart
As a local organisation committed to housing and supporting residents in need across Elmbridge, Rentstart has seen requests for our support increase by over 300% over recent years. The need continues to grow and for this reason we welcome the proposed Connected Communities model and strongly support its implementation.
In particular, we are encouraged by:
- The increased funding and infrastructure support for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS), which will strengthen our collective capacity to deliver meaningful change.
- The introduction of Local Area Coordinators (LACs), which will allow for tailored, one-to-one support for residents with complex needs. This will be transformative for our work, enabling simple referrals and more joined-up care.
- The empowerment of community groups to run day centres, creating spaces that reflect local needs and serve a wider demographic - from young families to isolated adults and unpaid carers.
- The creation of Community Connectors, which will enhance local networks and improve signposting to services.
We are proud to add our voice to those already supporting this vision, and we look forward to working in partnership as we continue to help the most vulnerable in our community."
Elaine Bissell, Chief Executive, Citizens Advice Esher and District and Margaret Bourne, Chief Executive, Citizens Advice Elmbridge West
Our two Citizens Advice offices in Elmbridge offer free, confidential and impartial advice to individuals living and working in Elmbridge and the wider Surrey area on a broad range of issues, from benefits, debt, housing, employment, immigration and consumer rights. Over recent years we have almost doubled the reach of our services to support local people through challenging external events such as the pandemic and cost of living crisis.
We are grateful to Elmbridge Council for the support they give to local charities, including ours, and the initiatives they undertake to connect community partners so that collectively we offer holistic support to the most vulnerable in our community. We support the council’s ambition to extend the reach of their community services to help more people in Elmbridge live well.
Roger Ford, Chair of Trustees, Walsingham Care
The trustees and staff at Walsingham Care have enjoyed an extremely positive working relationship with Elmbridge Borough Council over the past few years. The Charity welcomes the Connected Communities initiative and believes it to be a positive development and will continue to work collaboratively with the council and other local organisations to best serve the local community.
For more information see connected communities