Building Community in Teddington: Local Projects Making a Real Difference
There’s something special about Teddington. It’s not just the riverside walks, the independent shops, or the familiar faces you bump into on Broad Street. It’s the way people here quietly get on with helping each other.
At Teddington Carpet Centre, we’ve been part of this community for decades. We see the neighbourhood changing, growing, and pulling together when it matters. And right now, there are a few brilliant local projects doing exactly that.
This post is a little shout-out to some of the organisations helping people feel connected, supported, and included, right here in Teddington.
Elleray Hall at The Elleray Centre (just around the corner)
If you’ve walked past North Lane recently, you might have noticed something exciting happening. The Elleray Centre is bringing a fresh new community space to Teddington, and it’s less than 200 metres from our shop.
At the heart of it is Elleray Hall, a large, flexible space designed for everything from classes and talks to performances, exhibitions and social gatherings.
A few standout details:
A large, double-height hall with a floor area of 140 square metres
Can be divided into two separate spaces, each with its own entrance
Theatre-style seating for 110 people (maximum capacity 120)
Large glazed doors opening onto a garden terrace
Plans for a small stage/raised platform and an audio-visual system
Standard hire rates: £50 per hour for the full hall, £30 per hour for half
It’s the kind of place that makes community life easier. More room for clubs, events, creative groups, support networks, and those moments where people just want to come together.
If you’re involved in a local group and need a venue, it’s worth a look: https://elleraycentre.org/room-hire/
Sheddington: making, mending, and meeting people
Sheddington is one of those ideas that instantly makes sense when you hear it.
Based at St Mark’s Community Hub in Teddington, Sheddington is a friendly charity focused on making and mending. It’s a place where people can bring items to repair (from furniture to electrical bits), learn practical skills, and spend time with others in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
What we love about it is the simplicity of the mission. As Sheddington puts it, it’s about:
Doing practical things together
Creating a co-created community (not just a service)
Helping people who might otherwise “fall between the gaps”
They also have a social space with a kitchen, a community garden, and even a walking group.
If you’ve got something that needs fixing, or you just fancy a coffee and a chat with good people, take a look: https://sheddington.org/
Ruils Independent Living: support, advice, and independence
Ruils is a user-led charity supporting Disabled people to live independently and be part of their community.
They provide information, advice, advocacy, befriending and activities for Disabled children and adults, and people with long term health and mental health conditions across South West London, including Richmond.
Their work is practical, human, and genuinely life-changing for many families.
You can learn more about their services and how to get involved here: https://ruils.co.uk/
Why we’re sharing this (and how you can help)
As a local, family-run business, we’ve always believed that community isn’t something you “have”, it’s something you build.
These organisations are doing the hard work of building it every day, by creating spaces where people feel welcome, supported, and connected.
If any of the above resonates, here are a few easy ways to show support:
Share their pages with someone local
Donate if you’re able
Volunteer your time or skills
Attend an event, class or open day
Simply pop in and say hello
Pop in and chat
If you’re involved in a local project (or you’re starting one) and you want to spread the word, we’d love to hear about it. We’re always up for celebrating the good stuff happening in Teddington.
You can find us at Teddington Carpet Centre, 13 Broad Street, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 8QZ.
And if you’re thinking about refreshing your home this year, we’re here with the same approach we’ve had for over 50 years: friendly advice, quality craftsmanship, and a job done properly.
Key takeaway
Teddington’s strength is in its people. And with projects like The Elleray Centre, Sheddington, Park Lane Stables and Ruils, our community is in very good hands.