Rachel’s story
The Bridge also offers a range of children’s toys and books all year round
As Christmas drew nearer and the cold winter air set in, The Bridge (our shop-without-a-till) continued to welcome working families. For Rachel* and her 5 year old daughter, The Bridge wasn’t just somewhere to pick up free groceries and access advice services, but also a space that gave her hope at a time when life felt very overwhelming.
Like many working families in Elmbridge, Rachel* found herself facing a series of difficult and unexpected circumstances that affected her financial circumstances, making it harder to make ends meet. A referral to The Bridge offered dignity, a sense of community, and most importantly, hope for the future.
Rachel shares what The Bridge meant to her this Christmas:
“This year has honestly been one of the toughest of my life, one where you think surely nothing else can happen and then it does. Suddenly Christmas is here and I find myself as a single mum to a 5 year old trying to stay positive and smile through everything for her sake. Being referred to The Bridge has really lifted me and gone a huge way to restoring my faith in the future, even if it is one that is shaping up differently to how I once saw it. Something that initially felt terrifying, impossible, and incredibly lonely, is starting to feel possible and achievable purely by the kindness of people who I never knew existed, and for that I will forever be grateful. Thank you so very much”.
Helping to make life feel less lonely and more achievable is a huge part of what we do at The Bridge, and we know that real help means more than just accessing food. That’s why we are running our More Than a Meal appeal, so we can expand The Bridge into a larger, more accessible community hub that offers affordable groceries and household items, access to specialist advice services, and a space for families like Rachel’s to talk to our amazing team of volunteers and realise they are not alone. Your donation will be matched, pound for pound, thanks to Walton Charity’s matched funding, meaning every £ you give today will go twice as far in making a positive impact on the lives of local people.
Please, donate today via our JustGiving page, by clicking on the button below:
*Name has been changed for anonymity.