This year, Watford-based charity Small Acts of Kindness is celebrating 10 years of connecting communities with kindness.
Founder Lynne Misner was compelled to take action after finding herself with a broken boiler on one of the coldest days during the winter of 2014.
While trying to keep warm, she happened to read an article about how many older people spend much of the winter cold, living alone, and struggling to heat their homes.
The launch
Lynne launched Small Acts of Kindness in January 2015, with the aim of reducing loneliness and isolation for older and vulnerable people, with a particular interest in helping those who are cold in their homes.
With the support of her friends, family, and community connections, Lynne put together the very first 50 Warm in Winter gift bags, distributing them to older people who had been identified as vulnerable in the Watford area. The bags contained essential, practical items including a fleece blanket, thermal hat, gloves and socks, a mug, hot drinks, soup and porridge.
Today’s impact
Lynne gave up her full-time job in 2017, and Small Acts of Kindness became a registered charity in 2018.
From those first 50 bags, Small Acts of Kindness has grown to source, pack and distribute over 15,000 gift bags a year. The charity has 450 active volunteers and works with more than 150 community partners from the voluntary, statutory and private sectors.
In 2021, the charity received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK, and in 2022 extended their reach into Bedfordshire.
The items have largely remained the same, with the addition in 2018 of a comprehensive Purple Pages information pack full of literature signposting to relevant support, services and activities.
Lynne’s words
Lynne told WATFORDnews: “It is an honour and a privilege to be the chief executive at Small Acts of Kindness and I am not quite sure where the last 10 years have gone. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved and thankful to everyone who has been part of our amazing journey so far.”
From collaborating with community partners, groups and organisations, to helping create a culture of kindness with individuals, families, schoolchildren and business teams, they are making a lasting and meaningful difference to thousands of people, one small act of kindness at a time.
Lynne was also named winner of the Caring in the Community Award at the My Local Hero awards in November 2024.
Lynne continued: “Whilst it is so difficult to highlight one thing that has been a highlight, being awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service with special recognition for our work during COVID-19 in 2021, certainly stands out as a significant highlight.”
When asked about the challenges the team has faced over the years, Lynne referred to finding sufficient funding to keep up with the increased demand of the years. But along with her team, she has continued to fundraise and find ways to spread kindness across Watford and beyond.
Celebrations
As part of their celebrations, Small Acts of Kindness are inviting people to send messages and share stories. You may have volunteered with them, received a gift bag, supported with a donation, know somebody who received a bag, nominated someone, or distributed gift bags.
Email cassie@smallactsofkindness.co.uk, call 01923 372717 or visit www.smallactsofkindness.co.uk/celebrating-10-years
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