Our team

Sitting at home feeling cold and miserable when my heating broke down in January 2015, I read about the almost unimaginable choice between heating and eating that many older people are faced with during the cold weather. Whilst I couldn’t help everyone, I made a personal promise to help those who I could and Small Acts of Kindness was born. I never dreamed that my career in industry and the third sector would lead to something like this. I am thankful every day for the difference that I and the wonderful Small Acts of Kindness family can make.

I've always worked in the charity sector, mainly in marketing, and so I know only too well the challenges that we face, as well as the rewards. It feels very satisfying to be able to help make a difference to the lives of others, at the same time setting an example to my children. Respecting others and showing kindness are values that we should all uphold and that is what I love about what we do at Small Acts of Kindness. It is so simple and yet so powerful. I feel extremely lucky to be a part of such a dedicated, dynamic and skilful team. I also look after my young family and write children's stories.

I'm thrilled to be joining the staff team, having seen the wonderful impact of Small Acts of Kindness in our community. I have over 25 years experience working in Community Engagement in the Watford and Hertfordshire area, with a passion for connecting with older people, diverse and under represented communities.

I first learnt about Small Acts of Kindness when my daughter volunteered to help pack Warm in Winter gift bags. Six months later, I was thrilled to become a part of this amazing team. My career has been in HR & administration in general, and this role complements the skills I have developed alongside my passion to be involved in supporting our communities. Together with the whole team at SAOK, our wonderful volunteers & donors, I’m proud to play a part in a role that truly makes a difference.

I was inspired to work with Small Acts of Kindness by what our founder and CEO Lynne Misner had achieved in just three years – starting with nothing but an idea and the will to improve things for older people. I thought – if I can achieve only half what Lynne has by using my 10 years’ experience in the charity sector and 35 years as a lawyer to help build Small Acts of Kindness – then I’ll have made a real difference to the older generation across Hertfordshire who need our help. Together we’ve built a great team doing great work. Small Acts of Kindness is the essence of community volunteering.

When I first heard about Lynne’s plans to start Small Acts of Kindness, I offered my help in any way that I could because I was genuinely shocked that in the 21st century problems like this exist and on such a large scale. It is a great privilege to be a trustee of such a dynamic organisation that is supported by the most incredible and dedicated team. We all share the same passion and motivation. Like everyone, I have a busy life juggling work and a family but I always have and always will make sure that I have time to give to helping make the lives of others that little bit better.

I came across Small Acts of Kindness whilst I was secondment to the charity sector. I have parents and older relatives who are pensioners and they regularly face a range of issues on a day to day basis which can often leave them feeling isolated. So it was so easy for me to understand why I had to get involved with this wonderful charity that works so hard to help older people feel a less lonely. The saying is true, no act of kindness - however small - is ever wasted.

Through my involvement in our local and wider community across Hertfordshire, I have seen the need for the care and support Small Acts of Kindness provides. Supporting vulnerable people in our community, through either good neighbourly or self-nomination, provides a much needed “warm cuddle” when they need it most. As a trustee, I hope I can help to grow this awareness across the county and further afield, introducing connections which can enhance the service they provide to more people.

I have been volunteering for this wonderful charity for many years helping pack Bags of Kindness, information packs and many other activities. Over time I have got to know Lynne and the amazing team. When I read the feedback from the gift bag recipients, I fully appreciate the positive impact this charity has on individuals and the community. I am a retired qualified accountant having worked for 38 years in large corporations including retail, manufacturing and Investment Banking and I’m sure my experience will help to further benefit this charity.

I graduated from Goldsmiths University studying Business Computing and Entrepreneurship. The work Small Acts of Kindness inspired me to focus my dissertation on a project aiming to place ambient sensors in the homes of elderly people so that their wellbeing is monitored and relevant parties notified if necessary. I joined SAOK to assist with technical requirements, helping set up the website, alongside other tasks. Knowing that we are helping and touching the lives of elderly people in need makes me even more motivated to help the team.

I retired after selling my Company Fairfield Displays & Lighting, where my main role was marketing. It is really important for me to use my time to help others and I have spent a fair amount of time with isolated older people. I now realise how many people are on their own and especially how important it is for everyone to have contact with the outside world. My contribution involves helping on multiple levels, from co-ordinating bag collections, to hands-on delivery of bags, to building awareness with local organisations and businesses.

I’m thrilled to now be a part of the Small Acts of Kindness Volunteer Management Team, having spent three years working to expand our work in Bedfordshire. I have always felt very passionate about helping communities, with many years of experience working with local authorities including the library service. Among the many quotes about kindness, I love this one, which I feel is at the heart of our ethos, “Kindness is giving hope to those who think they are all alone in this world”.

Now retired from a career as a Chartered Surveyor and project manager, I’m eager to volunteer with organisations which benefit our local communities in Hertfordshire. Having attended a presentation by Lynne Misner, I was impressed by her enthusiasm and the way SAOK has been set up, with a clear purpose, a simple structure, minimal overheads and the ability to make a real difference to the lives of thousands of older people. I hope my skill set can complement SAOK’s needs and help to further their tremendous work.

I joined SAOK as a volunteer with my husband following retirement from the NHS and am enjoying taking on practical tasks. My main focus is assisting in coordinating the packing and distribution of “Warm in Winter” gift bags. There’s a great team spirit with everyone pulling together to achieve ambitious targets. I didn’t expect to spend part of my retirement time humping boxes around a warehouse at the back of a council depot in Watford, but here I am - it’s hard work but fun!

I have been volunteering locally in my community in Amersham for a number of years including helping to organise Silver Sunday since its start in 2014 and also coordinating a Contact the Elderly Afternoon Tea group since 2016. I helped to set up Rotate, a satellite club of Amersham Rotary, which is one of several projects involving the elderly. I have found through this work that interacting with this section of the community is definitely a two way street, with both parties benefitting.

Qualifying as a Chartered Engineer in 1985, I have recently retired from a 42-year career in international Product Marketing and Management with responsibility for development and marketing of a range of hardware and software products sold globally to leading retailers. I am a keen photographer and am married with two grown-up daughters. Delighted to be helping Small Acts of Kindness with experience gained in technology and manufacturing processes.

I’ve been working with Small Acts of Kindness since 2020, when Lynne and the team helped ensure my charitable project, Violet’s Gift, could continue during COVID. Their support meant so much and we’ve continued working together ever since. I started Violet’s Gift in 2015 after seeing how many care home residents, like my Grandma’s friend Violet, had no loved ones. We coordinate gift donations and company for people in care who might otherwise be alone.

After retiring from the day to day running of our company in the property sector, I wanted to spend part of my new found free time on charity work. My husband Howard had become a trustee of Small Acts of Kindness and I found myself drawn to the charity. I now help with management of packing days and also developing a schools programme. It’s a great team, working with them is always enjoyable and a great deal is always achieved.

I am delighted to have started volunteering alongside the team at Small Act of Kindness. For over a decade the team’s trustees and volunteers have dedicated a huge amount of effort into helping people struggling with loneliness or feelings of Isolation. In a modern age which sees community harder to find than ever before, the sign post information packs offer immense value to the recipients and I am pleased to play my part.

I joined Small Acts of Kindness in 2020 during the COVID pandemic because I wanted to support people facing uncertainty and hardship. My background in IT has proved valuable in assisting with day to day administrative tasks and I enjoy working alongside others who are committed to making a positive difference in our local community.