Six years of simple acts.
Over 500 families helped.
And we're just getting started.
Meet Leanne McDonald
Simple Acts of Kindness was founded by Leanne McDonald during the pandemic, when she saw a clear need in Wolverhampton for practical, community-led support for vulnerable people.
What began as a way to distribute essential items to those in need has expanded rapidly. The group now supports up to six or seven families every week - people who have lost everything to fire, or families forced to flee domestic abuse with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Leanne runs the group supported entirely by volunteers and the generosity of the Wolverhampton community. As she puts it: "Without everyone supporting, we wouldn't have been able to help the people we have. It's making a massive impact."
UK's Point of Light
In March 2024, Leanne was honoured with a Points of Light award - recognising inspiring people who make a positive change in their communities. The award was presented by Wolverhampton South West MP Stuart Anderson, who described SAOK as "a fantastic addition to the community - recognising the meaningful change that outstanding volunteers such as Leanne are making."
Leanne's response was characteristically modest: "I'm still quite surprised. I don't do it for the recognition - I do it because it's needed."
Founded because it was needed
Simple Acts of Kindness was set up during the pandemic in Wolverhampton, with a clear and practical mission: to get essential items - clothing, household goods, furniture - to people who need them, before those items end up in landfill.
The people we help include families who have lost everything in a house fire, and women and children who have been forced to flee domestic abuse and are starting over in an empty property with nothing. We work with volunteers, partner organisations, and the wider community to respond quickly - because when a family is in crisis, they cannot wait.
As well as distributing essential items, we signpost people to further support services and local community projects, and we run regular events - including family fun days - for those who may have little support network of their own.
"I don't do it for the recognition - I do it because it's needed."
— Leanne McDonald, founder, speaking to BBC West Midlands, March 2024
Volunteers, donors, and the power of giving
SAOK is built entirely on the generosity of the Wolverhampton community. Volunteers give their time to organise, collect, and deliver. Donors give clothing, furniture, and household goods that might otherwise have been thrown away. Businesses contribute surplus stock. And many of the families we've helped go on to donate back - items, skills, time - once they're back on their feet.
None of it would be possible without that support. As Leanne says: "Without everyone supporting, we wouldn't have been able to help the people we have."
Here because this is where we are needed
Wolverhampton is one of the most deprived areas in the UK. One in three residents lives in poverty. Domestic abuse services in the city are stretched, and the families they support often have nothing when they move into new accommodation.
We are rooted in this community. We know the housing officers, the support workers, the referral pathways. We can respond quickly because we are local - and because we have spent years building the relationships and the stock to make that possible.
From referral to home - in 24 hours
A referral comes in
A housing officer, social worker, or domestic abuse key worker contacts us on behalf of a family who has moved into empty social housing.
We match what they need
We check our two storage units - stocked entirely through public and business donations - and put together a package of essentials tailored to the family's situation.
We deliver
Within 24 hours of the referral, items are delivered to the family's new home. Beds, bedding, kitchen goods, clothing - everything they need to start again.
We restock through donations
Everything we give is replaced through donations from the public, local businesses, and community partners - keeping the cycle going for the next family who needs us.
What six years looks like
Ready to help?
Whether you want to donate, partner with us, or refer a family - we'd love to hear from you.
Get in touch →