Meet Riverbank Trust – One of Our 2026 Incubator Finalist

Riverbank Trust: walking alongside single mothers facing life’s toughest challenges

When a relationship breaks down, the challenges of raising children alone can quickly become overwhelming. For some single mothers, abandonment or domestic abuse can be followed by poverty, homelessness and profound isolation.

In Richmond upon Thames, Riverbank Trust is walking alongside women facing those challenges – offering the long-term emotional and practical support they need to rebuild their lives.

Rather than waiting for families to come through a service door, Riverbank meets women where they are. Support might mean a coffee at home, a walk together or one-to-one practical help. Community groups also give mothers the opportunity to connect with others through stay-and-play sessions, wellbeing mornings and parenting support.

Riverbank Trust provides a network of support

For families facing more complex challenges, Riverbank works alongside a network of partners to create tailored support plans and help women access the services they need.

The aim is not simply to solve an immediate problem, but to build the confidence, relationships and support networks that enable families to move forward.

One Riverbank mum remembers feeling “completely lost and alone” after her partner left unexpectedly while she was three months pregnant. Meeting a Riverbank outreach worker, she says, was the first time she felt welcomed, cared for and understood – and helped her realise that she did not have to face the journey alone.

For another mother, living in a hostel, the impact has been about slowly finding her way back to herself.

“I am slowly getting back to feeling like me again,” she says. “I feel less alone. I am finding my faith again.”

Riverbank’s approach has gained national recognition.

The organisation has been cited by the Centre for Social Justice for its understanding of the complex challenges facing single mothers and has also received funding through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s homelessness programme – the only charity within the fund delivering support specifically for single-mother families living in temporary hostel accommodation.

The need is significant. Single-mother families make up almost a quarter of families with dependent children in England and are disproportionately affected by poverty.

After 15 years of working alongside families, Riverbank has seen the difference that sustained, specialist support can make. Now it wants to help more churches reach single mothers in their communities who may be struggling – bringing practical support, lasting relationships and a renewed sense of hope.

Its vision is for more families to move beyond simply surviving difficult circumstances and discover the confidence, community and support they need to live life to the full.

Find out more: riverbanktrust.org

Cinnamon Incubator Final 2026

Riverbank Trust are one of five finalists at this year’s Cinnamon Incubator Competition, taking place on Thursday 12 November at St Peter’s Church in Notting Hill.

For more information about the event email sarah.taylor@cinnamonnetwork.co.uk