Walton Charity

What Walton Charity does

Walton Charity (legally Walton on Thames Charity) is a registered charitable foundation founded in 1220, making it one of the oldest charities in the UK and predating the Magna Carta. It is registered with the Charity Commission (no. 1185959), the Regulator of Social Housing (no. A0157), and the Information Commissioner's Office (no. Z7447520), and operates as a Living Wage Employer and Funder. The organisation is governed by a board of trustees chaired by Sarah Tomkins, with Rob Mills serving as Chief Executive. Its sole operating geography is Elmbridge borough in Surrey, England, where it serves as a place-based anti-poverty infrastructure provider.

The foundation runs an integrated portfolio of services addressing food insecurity, housing affordability, child poverty, and social isolation. Core programmes include the Walton & Hersham Foodbank (four weekly sessions feeding 5,374 people in 2024-25), The Bridge community hub and shop-without-a-till (opened March 2023, 90+ members in first nine months), almshouse accommodation across Mayfield (53 flats) and Fenner House (52 flats) for over-55s, 10 newly built key worker almshouses in Esher and Thames Ditton opened June 2025, and a small social housing portfolio managed by Rentstart and Transform Housing. It distributes grants via Opportunities Fund (to 23 local schools), Delegated Fund (to partner charities), and Vocational Fund (to individuals), exceeding £800,000 in 2024-25. Green space operations include the Tree Canopy site hosting Space to Grow, Rewilding Forest School, and corporate volunteering days.

Walton Charity's business model is donation- and grant-funded: revenue streams include individual and corporate donations, match-funded campaigns, grants from bodies such as Surrey County Council and the Mental Health Investment Fund, and rental income from discounted office space at its Charities House headquarters. Services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries. Distribution is achieved through direct service delivery, a network of 12+ partner organisations (Citizens Advice Elmbridge West, Home-Start Elmbridge, Stripey Stork, The Counselling Partnership, Mary Frances Trust, Elmbridge Community Link, West Molesey Night Shelter, The Rewilding Forest School, Trussell, and others), and through the new Community Asset Transfer of Walton and Cobham Community Centres approved by Elmbridge Borough Council in April 2026.

Name

Walton Charity

Legal name

Walton on Thames Charity

Website

https://waltoncharity.org.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Walton Charity is an 800-year-old charitable foundation providing foodbank services, community hubs, almshouse housing, grants, and green space programmes to tackle poverty and inequality in Elmbridge, Surrey.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charitable Foundation / Community Poverty Relief Services

NAICS

Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242), Community Food Services (624210), Community Housing Services (62422), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

Keywords

• Charitable foundation
• Community housing services
• Emergency food support
• Grant programmes
• Social almshousing

Headquarters

HQ city

Henley On Thames

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Giving: Walton Charity receives donations from individuals, corporations, and match-funded campaigns to support their charitable activities including foodbank operations, community hubs, and grant programs.
2. Grants and Funding: The charity receives grants and distributes them to local organisations and schools. Between 2024-25, they distributed over £800,000 in grant funding across the community.
3. Property Rental Income: Walton Charity provides discounted office space to local organisations based in Elmbridge, generating rental income while supporting the charitable ecosystem.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Walton Charity is a charitable foundation that operates a foodbank (Walton & Hersham), a community hub ("The Bridge") providing a "shop-without-a-till" and wraparound advice for working families, independent living almshouses for over-55s (Mayfield and Fenner House), social housing for people at risk of homelessness, affordable key-worker almshouses, a grants programme for local schools and partner organisations, and green-space community programmes. It also runs policy and research initiatives such as the Elmbridge Poverty Truth Commission.

Product overview

Walton Charity is a charitable foundation operating for over 800 years, offering a portfolio of interconnected services focused on alleviating poverty in Elmbridge, Surrey. Its core offerings include emergency food support (Walton & Hersham Foodbank and The Bridge community hub/pantry), affordable housing (independent living almshouses for over-55s, social housing, and key worker properties), and grant-making programmes (distributing over £800,000 annually to local schools and organisations). Green space initiatives including the Tree Canopy site, Space to Grow, and community allotments provide wellbeing and environmental education services. The Elmbridge Poverty Truth Commission engages the community in addressing systemic poverty issues. Walton and Cobham Community Centres are being developed as new community hubs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Bridge Community Hub A community hub and "shop-without-a-till" for working families struggling with the rising cost of living in Elmbridge. Offers affordable food access, wraparound support services, courses in budgeting and cooking, and access to advice from specialist advisors including Citizens Advice Elmbridge West.
• Walton & Hersham Foodbank Part of Walton Charity; runs four weekly food distribution sessions across the Elmbridge area providing emergency food support to people in need. Fed 5,374 people in 2024-25, a record year, with demand up 40% since 2022. 68% of clients live with a long-term health condition or disability.
• Independent Living (Mayfield and Fenner House) Two almshouse schemes offering self-contained accommodation for Elmbridge residents aged over 55. Mayfield provides 53 self-contained flats and Fenner House provides 52 self-contained flats (105+ residents total), with communal gardens, lounges, social activities, and a 24/7 on-call system. Fenner House was built in 1983; Mayfield has been extended and refurbished in stages through 1995 and 2018.
• Social Housing A small portfolio of social housing properties in Elmbridge for people at risk of homelessness. Rentstart manages 4 houses providing accommodation for 10 single people; Transform Housing & Support manages 3 two-bedroom flats for 6 single people with one-to-one support.
• Key Worker Almshouses (Lambert Place and Grantchester Place) Affordable almshouse accommodation for local key workers (nurses, care workers, teachers, essential service providers) priced out of the Elmbridge area. Includes Lambert Place in Esher and Grantchester Place in Thames Ditton, providing 10 newly built affordable homes.
• Grants Programme Distributed over £800,000 in grant funding across the Elmbridge community in 2024-25. Comprises the Opportunities Fund (grants to 23 local schools for discretionary spending on pupil essentials), the Delegated Fund (for partner organisations tackling poverty), and the Vocational Fund (direct grants to individuals for training and back-to-work costs).
• Green Spaces (Tree Canopy and community allotment) Green spaces including the Tree Canopy site hosting Space to Grow community gardening, a community allotment, corporate volunteering days, and space for partner organisations. Supports wellbeing, biodiversity, and environmental education. Includes programmes such as Rewilding Forest School (100+ families monthly) and herbal workshops with The Historical Herbologist.
• Elmbridge Poverty Truth Commission An initiative bringing together people with direct experience of poverty and inequality in Elmbridge with civic and business leaders to find joint solutions to pressing local problems and shape decisions affecting the community. Supported by Good Company and partners such as Families Thriving Together.

Quantifiable outcome

• 72% of Bridge clients no longer need external support after ending engagement
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Elmbridge Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2026Working together on community support through Connected Communities programme. Elmbridge Cabinet approved Community Asset Transfer of Walton and Cobham Centres to Walton Charity. Partnership aligns with local government reorganisation ahead of East Surrey Council creation in April 2027.
• Cobham Community Hub CICcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2026Cobham Community Hub CIC will be responsible for day-to-day management of Cobham Centre. They are finalising plans for the new hub building which is currently closed for preparations.
• Voices of HopecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2026Taking on day-to-day running of Walton Centre. Working alongside local residents and community partners to develop a programme of activities, services and support combining its own services with community interests and needs.
• Cobham Community CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWill take on day-to-day running of Cobham Centre, providing a range of community services and support following Community Asset Transfer.
• RentstartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages 4 social housing properties (10 single people accommodation) for Walton Charity. Also delivers 18-30 Wellbeing Support service for young people facing complex challenges.
• Transform Housing & SupportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages 3 two-bedroom social housing flats and provides one-to-one support to tenants. Partnership provides accommodation for 6 single people.
• Citizens Advice Elmbridge WestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivers advice sessions at The Bridge and foodbank. Their 16-24s Youth Service provides support for young people. Partner in policy research and Elmbridge Poverty Forum.
• Home-Start ElmbridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports around 190 families annually through home visiting, under-5s and over-5s groups, counselling, financial training, and Dad Matters project. Receives grants including Delegated Fund, core cost grant, and community grants.
• Stripey StorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChristmas Appeal partnership supporting families with essential items and age-appropriate toys. 486 children in 262 families supported in 2024. Also provided branded and unbranded uniform items for pop-up shop.
• The Counselling PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffordable one-to-one counselling for adults in Surrey. Receives subsidised rent at Charities House and grants including community small grant and Funder Plus grant for marketing.
• Mary Frances TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health and emotional wellbeing charity operating across Surrey. Partners on Space to Grow community gardening project. Receives grants from Walton Charity.
• Elmbridge Community LinkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSmall charity enhancing lives of people with learning disabilities and/or autism. Based in Charities House with discounted office space. Provides safe, inclusive spaces for people to learn skills and build confidence.
• West Molesey Night SheltercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeasonal night shelter (December-March) providing beds, meals, and support. Partly funded by Walton Charity through grants. Runs referral basis with council and Rentstart.
• The Rewilding Forest SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuns sessions at Tree Canopy site with holistic approach nurturing children's imagination and confidence. Walton Charity distributes Mental Health Investment Fund places supporting 100+ families monthly.
• Good CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntroduced End Poverty Pledge at Elmbridge Poverty Forum. Hosted conversation about East Surrey Poverty Truth Commission. Supports PTC development.
• Families Thriving TogetherminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigned End Poverty Pledge following Elmbridge Poverty Forum. Committed to tangible actions reducing poverty.
• Squires (Long Ditton)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSquires Long Ditton chose Walton Charity as their Charity of the Year, holding raffles and fundraising activities.
• The ResearcheryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivered evaluation report on individual grants programme exploring impact and effectiveness of funding and place-based model.
• Sigma HomescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for key worker almshouses at Merrywood development in Thames Ditton. Contributed to building of 10 new almshouses opened June 2025.
• Red Loft PropertyminorOthersContributed to key worker almshouse development alongside Sigma Homes and Potter Raper.
• Potter RaperminorOthersContributed to key worker almshouse development in Esher and Thames Ditton.
• Walsingham CareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Partnership Fund with Elmbridge Borough Council supporting Home-Start Elmbridge's home-visiting volunteer service. Shares office space at Charities House.
• Surrey County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental Health Investment Fund provider in partnership with Surrey Heartlands, funding discounted Forest School places. Also provides Community Helpline and Surrey Crisis Fund.
• TrussellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational anti-poverty charity. Walton Charity participates in Guarantee Our Essentials campaign, joins Westminster lobby days, and aligns with Trussell's Essentials Guarantee policy recommendations.
• The Historical HerbologistminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuns herbal workshops at Tree Canopy site in yurt. Advises on medicinal garden. Partnership supporting wellbeing and nature connection.
• Guided WellbeingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRuns sessions at Tree Canopy site focused on wellbeing. Part of Walton Charity's green therapy ecosystem.
• Elmbridge Tree WardensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork working across borough to plant and preserve trees. Active at Tree Canopy site supporting biodiversity and environmental education.
• Local Elmbridge Schools (23)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner23 local schools receive Opportunities Fund grants for discretionary spending on pupil essentials including uniform, trips, and enrichment activities.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Surrey County Council Community Helpline: Regional government partner funding Surrey-wide crisis and community programmes; Walton Charity works with Surrey County Council's Mental Health Investment Fund and Community Helpline as a regional delivery partner.

Direct peers

• Heart of England Community Foundation: Mid-sized UK community foundation distributing grants to local organisations and operating community programmes; comparable structure, scale, and grant-making focus.
• UK Community Foundations: Membership network of accredited community foundations across the UK; Walton Charity operates as a community foundation distributing grants to local organisations in Elmbridge.
• Suffolk Community Foundation: County-level community foundation distributing grants and operating place-based poverty and inequality programmes; directly comparable in mission and grant-making model to Walton Charity.
• Trussell Trust: National anti-poverty charity running the UK's largest foodbank network; Walton & Hersham Foodbank is part of this network and Walton Charity participates in Trussell's Guarantee Our Essentials campaign and Westminster lobby days.
• Essex Community Foundation: Regional community foundation offering grants, donor-advised funds, and place-based programmes tackling disadvantage; highly comparable peer in scale and operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Citizens Advice: National advice services charity; Walton Charity partners with Citizens Advice Elmbridge West to deliver advice sessions at The Bridge and foodbank - highly comparable in target beneficiary support.
• Home-Start UK: National family support charity operating through local Home-Start affiliates; Walton Charity funds and partners with Home-Start Elmbridge, which supports ~190 families annually.
• The Almshouse Association: National umbrella body representing almshouse charities across England; Walton Charity won the Almshouse Association's 2025 Innovation for Living Award and operates within the same regulatory and standards framework.

Emerging players

• Locality: UK membership organisation supporting community organisations and community asset transfers; directly relevant given Walton Charity's community centre transfer strategy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/yourwaltoncharity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/waltoncharity
• Instagraminstagram.com/yourwaltoncharity

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Walton Charity