Working with Herts County Council to make a real difference with Bags of Kindness

Funded by, and in partnership with Herts County Council’s Community and People Wellbeing team and HertsHelp, this is the third year that we have worked together to deliver 3,000 Bags of Kindness. It was first conceived during the Covid lockdown in 2020 to reach those who were shielding. However, it still remains as relevant and important as ever in showing support and connecting with vulnerable people across Hertfordshire including carers, people with disabilities and those who have been bereaved.

We were delighted to be joined by Councillor Tony Kingsbury, Executive Member for Adult Care, Health & Wellbeing and Tim Napper, Senior Development Manager at Herts County Council, who very kindly came to help pack our Bags of Kindness. It was a wonderful opportunity for them to be a part of our volunteer team whose hard work make a difference to the lives of so many.

Tony commented, ‘We’re delighted to have been able to fund so many of these bags and I’d like to say a special thank you to the volunteers who have given their time to support the project. As well as spreading some happiness along the way, it’s vital that residents know we’re here for them this winter and anyone in need of a little extra help can get in touch with HertsHelp on 0300 123 4044.’

With the help of our amazing Small Acts of Kindness volunteer family, 3,000 Bags of Kindness were packed in just 5 days. Individuals, families and teams from Hilton, Viatris, Affinity and Student Beans all joined us.

Bags include a fleece blanket and scarf, box of biscuits, hot chocolate, a box of chocolates and instant soup, hand sanitiser, a thermometer and our Purple Pages Information Pack containing literature about essential services from key organisations in Hertfordshire, as well as a hand written message from the person who packed the bag.

Liz Burns from The Veteran Support Group based in Abbotts Langley visited us to collect Bags of Kindness for her group. Stopping to talk to our volunteers she explained ‘ Some have never received a gift and they are opening these bags with tears in their eyes.’

The bags are being distributed through community and statutory organisations including the Fire Service, Hertswise, CDA Herts and Herts MIND.

Click on the link to view Herts County Council's campaign 'We're here for you this winter' which we are delighted to be a part of - https://youtu.be/8OqjdHnBemg

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Our projects

“It's easy to feel lonely and forgotten and this lovely gift shows there are people out there who care”
Volunteer packing days

We are delighted to invite you to help pack all the contents for our Warm in Winter gift bags and Purple Pages information packs. These will be gifted to vulnerable older people across Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire this winter.
Volunteers

Here at Small Acts of Kindness ‘HQ’ we are looking ahead with positivity to being able, once again, to help some of the most vulnerable older people in our community keep warm and feel less lonely and isolated. Now all we need to make everything happen is your help.
Our journey
Our team
Winter Fuel Payments

If you receive a Winter Fuel Payment but don’t need it, please think of someone who might and donate it to Small Acts of Kindness. For thousands the cold kills. Your donation will go directly towards items included in our Warm in Winter gift bags. For some, they could be a life saver.
A Small Act

This winter, we will be sourcing, packing and distributing 12,000 Warm in Winter gift bags, at a cost of £35 to us, helping to heat the person, when they can’t afford to heat their home. This means 12,000 older people will be warmer in their homes, happier and more connected to their community, one small act at a time. We need your help to make this happen. Please donate today and together we can connect communities with kindness.
Knit for Community
Bags of Kindness Packing Days 2021/22

PACKING DATES FOR 2022/23 COMING SOON We are delighted to invite you to help pack gift bags that will be given to local vulnerable older people across the County.
Chocolate Orange

Please help us to make this Christmas special for older people across Hertfordshire who will be spending it on their own by donating Terry’s Chocolate Oranges. These will be included in the 500 Christmas gift boxes that we will be distributing.

Donate

How your donation helps:

￡10 Helps purchase hats, gloves and socks which will go into our gift bags.

￡35 Covers the cost of a gift bag that will help keep an older person warm this winter.

￡50 Provides 5 older people with a blanket to wrap up warm in

￡100 Provides 30 older people with hot drinks, instant soup and porridge

Please select a donation amount (required)

£10

Helps purchase hats, gloves and socks which will go into our gift bags.

£35

Covers the cost of a gift bag that will help keep an older person warm this winter

£50

Provides 5 older people with a blanket to wrap up warm in

£100

Provides 30 older people with hot drinks, instant soup and porridge

Other

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