We are absolutely thrilled and honoured to be receiving The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

We work in partnership with over 90 organisations from the voluntary, corporate and statutory sectors and over 300 community volunteers, who show great commitment to our cause. We are hugely thankful for all our incredible volunteers, without whom, we couldn’t have reached over 45,500 older people across Hertfordshire, since we began just six years ago.

“As I was packing the bags I knew each bag would bring a smile to somebody’s face and that makes volunteering so worthwhile.” Small Acts of Kindness volunteer 2020.

Lynne Misner, our Chief Executive said, “We are absolutely thrilled and delighted that the hard work and dedication of our volunteers has been recognised with the highest award any charity can receive in the UK. Everything we do is led by our wonderful family of volunteers and this award recognises their efforts above all. Together we have helped some of the most vulnerable older people in Hertfordshire at a time when they needed it the most. We thank everyone who has helped make this happen – together we are stronger.”

As one of 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year, the number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. It was created in 2002 to celebrate The Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Recipients are announced each year on 2nd June, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation. Award winners this year are wonderfully diverse. They include volunteer groups from across the UK, including an inclusive tennis club in Lincolnshire; a children’s bereavement charity in London; a support group those living with dementia and their carers in North Yorkshire; a volunteer minibus service in Cumbria; a group supporting young people in Belfast; a community radio station in Inverness and a mountain rescue team in Powys.

Representatives of Small Acts of Kindness will receive the award crystal and certificate from Robert Voss CBE, Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire later this summer. Furthermore, two volunteers from Small Acts of Kindness will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2022 (depending on restrictions at the time), along with other recipients of this year’s Award.