Why Riverbank?

One of the questions we often get asked when people first meet us is ‘why “Riverbank”?’. It’s not a name, I suppose, that you instantly associate with families or women! But names are important. They are part of who we are, our identity; they mark out our place and existence in the world. So let me tell you about ours.

We love our name. In our beautiful borough of Richmond we have a river that winds its way through our community and along its banks are bars, houses, footpaths, parks, life in all its rich tapestry and colour. Some parts are dirty, some bits are a mess. At some points the rivers swells and rushes, other parts are calm and gentle. For us it is such a picture of the lives of many of the women and families we meet. There is much turbulence at times, there is mess and pain but there is also hope and beauty and joy and it is our pleasure and privilege to be those who walk alongside them, on the bank of their river, through whatever season they may pass through. Through homelessness, through debt, through addiction, through the pain of past abuses and memories that still haunt.

We believe that Riverbank has been named to be a ministry of God’s love to those who are used to being abandoned, used to being treated with shame and disrespect, and it is our passion and purpose as we walk alongside them to care for them with respect, dignity, and love as people made and passionately loved by God.

I hope over the coming months to share more with you about the practical ways in which we are doing this, and some of the precious stories that unravel as we walk along this river with these very special women and children.

We are hopeful that this new and improved resource will keep you updated and help you feel a part of our Riverbank family, and that through it you might see a snapshot of our ministry and of Gods’ love for the precious women and families we are honoured to call our friends.

Ellie Hughes