About Us
Who is Riverbank?
Riverbank Trust (“Riverbank”) is a Christian charity based in Richmond Upon Thames.
What does Riverbank do?
Riverbank supports and equips single mothers of all faiths and none through long-term emotional and practical support in partnership with the church community.
How does Riverbank do this?
In three ways:
Firstly, through one-to-one relationship (sometimes called befriending).
Secondly, through small needs-based Riverbank community groups.
Thirdly, through bringing to single Mums the support of Riverbank’s network of churches and partners.
1:1 Support
A dedicated Riverbank team member meets with Mum, perhaps over a coffee, to talk and walk alongside Mum on her journey as a single mother. Riverbank is here to listen and to support. Riverbank is not a statutory service, but is an independent charity supported by the church community. Riverbank will support each Mum for as long or as short a time as she likes, offering a caring relationship that reflects God’s love for every single Mum we meet.
Small Community Groups
Riverbank also runs small and safe community groups where single Mums meet over coffee and support each other. Riverbank supports in local mother and toddler groups and runs craft and breakfast mornings, parenting groups, and support groups for children with additional needs.
Network Partnerships
Wherever possible Riverbank can use its network of local churches and community partners, such as Foodbanks and Kids Matter programs, to help equip and support Mum on her journey.
Why does Riverbank do this?
Because no one should have to journey through life alone.
Single motherhood often impacts a mother’s share of parenting responsibilities, her potential household income and her experience of emotional support and companionship. These circumstances often affect mental health, levels of loneliness and isolation.
Through our relationships with other local agencies and through our own experiences of working with very vulnerable people, we learn all the time that every situation, every family, every child, every woman is unique. Each person has her or his own story.
Many of the stories we hear include sadness, joy, loss, grief and hope. They also may include addiction, violence, fear, poverty, homelessness and isolation to name just a few issues. The difficulties facing the vulnerable Mums we meet are wide ranging and complex. They are however unified by one simple fact…
…it’s made much harder by doing it alone.
We believe it is an injustice that any woman should have to parent alone with no or little support structure.
At Riverbank, we aim to meet this need.
At Riverbank, we care about the whole family. And we believe that addressing the needs of the whole family ultimately create an environment for the greatest degree of long-term change.
Research shows that children growing up in vulnerable single parent families are more likely to struggle educationally, socially and experience poor emotional health.
We are passionate about finding ways to help prevent these outcomes for children, and doing all that we can to support children who have experienced separation and loss through family breakdown.
“3 million children are being raised in single parent households in the UK. 90% of these households are headed by single women.”
Research from the Centre for Social Justice
Of the 3 million children growing up in single parent families, one third have no meaningful relationship with their Dads.
Riverbank’s Ethos
As a Christian charity Riverbank’s response to the needs of the women we meet is driven by faith in Jesus Christ who taught that faith in Him is a free and personal choice and that irrespective of choice and circumstance each person is made in the image of God, is unique and is of equal value.
We come alongside families from all backgrounds and all faiths and none. It is our passion at Riverbank to share the love that God has for the women, children and families we meet, and to honour each person with the dignity, respect and love that He shows towards each one of us.
Mission
To support and equip vulnerable single mothers through long-term emotional and practical support in partnership with the church community.
Vision
To see vulnerable single mothers and their families transformed by the love of Jesus through hope and long-term community.
Values
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Riverbank is relational
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Riverbank equips
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Riverbank builds community
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Riverbank brings hope
“And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”
The Book of Ezekiel 47:12
Riverbank Timeline
“Riverbank expands into Ham, the charity’s first geographic expansion
Riverbank secures its first multi-year funding from a national funder”
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Riverbank appointed by local government to lead a consortium for distribution of support to vulnerable families during covid pandemic
Riverbank is award-winner at London Faith & Belief Community Awards”
“Riverbank selected by Kids Matter to pilot the organisation’s Babies Matter programme”
“Approved by the Home Office for the Community Sponsorship Project to support a Syrian Refugee family”
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UK Premier radio covers Riverbank’s insights on how single mothers in communities can be supported
Riverbank the chosen charity at St Mary’s University conference collaborating with Tearfund and Caritas”
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Riverbank enters partnership with Kids Matter”
“Riverbank begins working in Marshgate school”
“Riverbank begins working in Darrel School”
“Riverbank begins working in Holy Trinity Richmond School”
“Riverbank becomes a registered charity”