Elmbridge Community Eco Hub is relocating

Since opening to the public in February 2022, the Community Eco Hub has established itself as a cornerstone of the local community and a positive example and mentor to other groups, locally and nationwide. The Eco Hub hosts a huge range of initiatives, including our community fridge, community garden, Library of Things, small item plastic recycling, plastic free refill station, community litter picks, Duke of Edinburgh volunteering programme, skill share, sew and share, bike repairs, winter warmers, seed swap and book, boardgame & jigsaw swaps.   All of these initiatives support local people, providing a sense of purpose, belonging and pride whilst also helping residents to eat better, save money, meet new people, learn new skills and gain confidence. 

IMPACT 

To date more than 36,000 people have accessed our initiatives - all aimed at reducing waste, improving community cohesion, helping the environment, and providing opportunity. 

Our fabulous team of over 100 regular volunteers together give 130 hours every week to ensure the Hub runs smoothly with great friendships blossoming along the way.

In September 2024 our community garden gained the highest possible award in the RHS It’s Your Neighbourhood annual awards - testament to the hard work of our volunteers, many of whom wouldn’t otherwise engage with nature or the environment, have physical or mental health issues, or simply don’t have access to such a space.

Together with our retail partners we have saved in excess of 67,000kg of healthy nutritious food from going to landfill, instead making it available - free to everyone - without question or judgement. 

Local residents have borrowed from our Library of Things over 550 times - saving themselves money, storage space, responsibility for upkeep and insurance.

By utilising our Plastic Free Refill options, residents have reused their containers a total of 4,347 times, saving all this plastic from entering landfill.

Over the last 2 winters we have donated over 450 warm coats, hats, scarves and gloves to local residents - including many children - to help them stay warm.

1 in 5 children in the UK do not own a single book! We are doing our bit to ensure children in Elmbridge have access to as many books as they want - theirs to keep! So far we have given away over 3,500 books to local children. Many return with books they no longer want, helping to keep going the cycle of encouraging others to read.

We have recently received funding to purchase a large marquee suitable to accommodate 50 seated people, or 100 standing. Our intention is to use this space to host multigenerational exercise classes, yoga, pilates, skill shares, cookery classes, DIY classes and much more.  As ever we will be guided by what local residents would like to participate in.

THE FUTURE

However, the land on which the Community Eco Hub is situated has been earmarked for redevelopment, so we have had to find a new home.

Elmbridge Borough Council have come to the rescue and helped us identify an amazing new, permanent home in Hersham - just a mile and a half from our current location. 

The building itself is in a better condition than our current home was when we moved in, but it is in poor decorative repair. The kitchen needs new cupboard doors, new appliances and stainless steel worktops. The fireproof doors need replacing and it needs new flooring throughout. 

The land around the building needs to be prepared so that we can transfer our community garden, and a new fence needs to be installed to improve security. 

The building will allow for greater flexibility than our current space, including use by other community groups – maybe cubs or brownies - or exercise classes, skill shares, use as a warm hub or for small events. The possibilities are endless!

But of course all of this will come at a cost, which is why we are asking you to support us in our move. These are very exciting times for everyone involved in The Hub. We have to leave our much loved home in Walton, somewhere we have worked hard to create a community and made a lot of friends.  We have shown what we can achieve, and now we have the opportunity to create a permanent home.  Please help us realise this dream!