Riverbank, the Richmond charity for single mothers, has won £228,091 over three years from a national homelessness fund to support families living in hostels.

Riverbank, the Richmond charity that supports single mothers, has been awarded £228,091 to help mothers and children living in temporary accommodation in the borough.

The money comes from the government’s Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund and covers three years, 2026 to 2029. The charity and the council announced it on 6 October.

What the money pays for

According to the announcement, the grant will fund:

  • support for single mothers and their children living in hostels in the borough
  • a Riverbank cabin at one of those hostels, giving the charity a permanent place there for one-to-one support, group work and community activities

Riverbank says it now works from four centres in the borough:

  • Richmond
  • Ham
  • Whitton
  • Hampton Wick

Where it sits in the national fund

The government’s allocation list was published on 19 August. It names 100 organisations sharing £47,014,722, made up of £41 million in revenue funding and £6 million in capital. Every award is still subject to a signed grant agreement.

Riverbank is listed as “RIVERBANK TRUST”, local authority Richmond upon Thames, with both revenue and capital funding. It is the only organisation on the list whose award is for Richmond upon Thames alone.

One other award reaches the borough. The Greater Change Foundation is listed for Kingston upon Thames, Richmond and Greenwich together, with £548,736 of revenue funding. The list does not say how that is split between the three.

The fund is for small and medium-sized voluntary, community and faith charities in England. Its three aims are community-based support, day services and recovery.

What they said

Laura Lowther, chief executive of Riverbank, said: “This is wonderful news for Richmond and for the families we support. For over fifteen years, Riverbank has walked alongside single mothers and their children facing vulnerabilities, and has supported families as they move towards brighter futures.”

Councillor Chris Varley, the council’s lead member for housing, said: “Families living in temporary accommodation can face enormous uncertainty, and Riverbank plays a vital role in helping people rebuild stability, confidence and connection.”

Riverbank describes itself on its own website as a Christian charity supporting single mothers “of all faiths and none”. It is not a statutory service.

What it means for you

  • If you are a single mother in temporary accommodation in the borough, Riverbank’s support is free and not limited to people of faith. Its website has a “Get Support” page for getting in touch.
  • If you want to help, the same site lists volunteering and giving under “Give Support”.
  • If you are on the housing register or worried about losing your home, our report on the proposed changes to Richmond’s housing register covers the council’s plans, including a five-year residency rule.

Sources