Policy and research
Our policy and research work shines a light on the root causes of poverty in our local area, using data and lived experience to drive change. We focus on key issues including food insecurity, child poverty, mental and physical wellbeing, and housing to influence our objectives and inform better support.
Survation Poll: Elmbridge 2025
We recently re-commissioned research by Survation, a project that surveys Elmbridge residents about topical issues and investigates what residents are concerned about.
Young People and Work report: our evidence
Walton Charity welcome the opportunity to submit evidence to the Department for Work and Pensions report. We spoke to two of our partner organisations to inform our response on youth unemployment.
Our reaction to the Child Poverty Strategy
This strategy is a welcome sign of progress, but we want to see more being done to fully break the cycle of child poverty. We will continue to listen to, and advocate for, families affected.
The Cost of School Uniform: Insights and Recommendations
After the success of our school uniform pop-up shop, we wrote to local schools with our findings and recommendations about how to make uniform affordable and eco-friendly.
Our reaction to the Autumn Budget 2025
We welcome the announcement by the Chancellor to lift the two-child benefit limit. We believe this will relieve the pressure on over-stretched households, many of which are turning to us for help for the first time.
Elmbridge Poverty Truth Commission (EPTC)
Walton Charity has formed the EPTC to engage local voices in a meaningful way, and involve our community in the decision-making process.
Find out more about this project.
‘Making Ends Meet’: Foodbank client survey
A report using the findings from our survey with Walton & Hersham foodbank clients, uncovering themes of food insecurity and poverty and the hardship that local people are experiencing.
Independent Commission on Community & Cohesion
Walton Charity are pleased to have submitted evidence to the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion.
Our evidence will be used to inform the commission’s report and subsequent actions.
Elmbridge Poverty Profile
Elmbridge is the 9th most unequal borough in England with worrying levels of child poverty.
We researched available data on poverty, work, welfare and housing in our local area.
This data is updated and added to regularly as needed.
Under the Radar Report
Elmbridge is a pleasant place to live on a number of fronts but under the surface there are pockets of poverty, and signs that these are growing.
In this report, we explore the changing picture of poverty and low income in Elmbridge.