Richmond homelessness support is set to expand after local charity Riverbank secured a £228,091 government grant to help single mothers and their children living in temporary accommodation. The three-year award under the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund will fund dedicated support workers in borough hostels, helping vulnerable families build stability and remove barriers to permanent housing.
The funding will enable Riverbank to place support workers directly in temporary accommodation across Richmond upon Thames.
What the funding will provide
The three-year award targets a specific gap in local services.
Riverbank will use the grant to provide dedicated support for single mothers and children living in hostels and other temporary accommodation in Richmond upon Thames. The funding enables the charity to place trained support workers directly in these settings, helping families navigate the complex process of moving into permanent housing. Support will include help with employment barriers, access to childcare, benefit applications, and building the networks that make stable housing sustainable. The award also includes funds for installing a Riverbank support hub in one of the borough’s hostels, creating a permanent base for the expanded service.
When support reaches families where they actually live, the path to permanent housing becomes clearer and shorter.
Who benefits from the programme
Single mothers with children face particular challenges in temporary accommodation.
The programme recognises that families in hostels often lack the support networks that make it possible to hold down employment, access training, or navigate the paperwork required for permanent housing. Children in temporary accommodation may struggle with school stability and continuity of care. Riverbank’s model places support workers in the accommodation itself, meaning mothers can access help without additional travel or childcare arrangements. The charity has worked in Richmond for several years and already runs established homelessness services, so the new funding builds on existing relationships with council housing teams and local landlords.
The three-year timeframe gives families the continuity of support that short-term interventions cannot provide.
What this means for you
If you work with vulnerable families in Richmond, or know someone in temporary accommodation who could benefit, contact Riverbank directly to ask about the expanded support programme. The charity is now recruiting additional support workers for the new service, so local residents with experience in housing, social care, or family support may find employment opportunities. If you volunteer with community groups that serve families in temporary housing, consider connecting with Riverbank to coordinate services and avoid duplication. The council’s housing team will be working closely with the programme, so families already registered for permanent housing should see improved support through their existing case workers.
The government grant represents a significant expansion of practical homelessness support in Richmond, with funding secured through to 2026. Families in temporary accommodation will now have access to dedicated support workers who understand the specific barriers they face.
Frequently asked questions
How do families access the Riverbank support programme?
- Families living in temporary accommodation in Richmond upon Thames will be contacted directly by Riverbank support workers based in their hostel or accommodation. If you are in temporary housing and have not been contacted, you can reach out to Riverbank directly or ask your council housing officer to make a referral.
What kinds of help does the programme provide?
- Support includes help with employment barriers, childcare access, benefit applications, budgeting, building local connections, and navigating the process of securing permanent housing. The programme focuses on removing the practical obstacles that make it difficult for families to move out of temporary accommodation.
Is this programme only for single mothers?
- The government grant specifically funds support for single mothers and their children, as this group faces particular vulnerabilities in temporary accommodation. Riverbank runs other homelessness services in Richmond that support different client groups.
How long does the funding last?
- The £228,091 award covers three years, running through to 2026. This gives families continuity of support rather than short-term intervention, which improves the chances of successful moves into permanent housing.
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