Shelley’s story

When Walton Charity opened the second of their key worker almshouse properties, Shelley was keen to move in and give her kids the stability they need.

Shelley provides one-to-one SEND support to children in Elmbridge, as well as being a speech and language therapy assistant. Her dad used to deliver medicine to Fenner House, one of Walton Charity’s almshouses, so the connection with the charity feels personal.

For Shelley, the move to Lambert Place with her two teenagers has been “life-changing”. It’s the first time her teenagers have had their own rooms, which means “everyone is so much more settled now”. Having a suitable, affordable home in a good location means they all “feel calmer and happier”.

The move “has changed everything” for them, and for the first time, she says, “we are proud of our home”. They are now pleased to welcome family and friends without feeling embarrassed, and are already looking forward to hosting for Christmas! Her kids can now have friends over; Shelley feels “so much happier now, and people are noticing that. So many people have said to be that I seem calmer and more comfortable”.

Shelley’s pride in working within the SEND sector is clear, but she feels that they can often be underappreciated. She explains that when people think of key workers, they often think of nurses, doctors, and teachers. Whilst these roles are of course so vital to society, Shelley explains that children develop the most before the age of 7, so it is the people that they are supported by in the early years of their lives that have the biggest impact. She sees a clear difference between children who have received this support and those who haven’t, especially when the child has special educational needs or a disability.

Shelley makes incredible progress with the children who she works with, driven by her passion, knowledge, and positive attitude. She tells me with a huge smile on her face how the children she worked with can now run around or swallow by themselves. She especially values the moments when an autistic child holds her gaze for the first time, or listens and follows what she says, even if just for a moment. “I’ll always remember those kids, they are so lovely. I’ve been working with kids since I was 16, and I find that those types of children gravitate towards me. I don’t know why! But I knew from the first child I worked with that this is what I wanted to do”.

Back in Lambert Place, Shelley is starting to get to know her neighbours, and loves how they all work in a similar sector.

Walton Charity has a long history of providing safe, secure, and affordable accommodation to Elmbridge residents. Our first almshouse opened in Walton in 1774, and we have continued this commitment to housing into the modern day. Opening 10 new flats for key workers is another huge milestone in our mission to build a thriving Elmbridge community free from poverty and inequality, and has recently picked up an award from the Almshouse Association.

The openings of Lambert and Grantchester Place have come at a time when property rises are skyrocketing. According to a 2024 report from Shelter, renting in the private sector is unaffordable for 45% of newly qualified nurses nationally. In the South-East, this rises to a staggering 93%. Walton Charity’s research has also revealed that Elmbridge is one of the most expensive and unequal boroughs in the country, meaning the housing challenge is particularly stark.

Providing these homes compliments the breadth of work the charity does, spanning grants, green spaces, a foodbank, a community hub, office space, almshouses, and more. The diversity and agility of the charity means we can respond to challenges in our community quickly and effectively, adapting to the changing needs of modern society and responding to the issues in our borough. We are proud to be offering this new initiative and are committed to increasing the amount of housing we have on offer.