'The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.'

We've always had volunteer award ceremonies; an evening put aside at the Small Hall in Kensington and Chelsea with some good food and a game of bingo, to celebrate the enormous efforts and commitment our volunteer teams put into helping to run our projects, looking after every soul that walks through our doors. This year, our tenth ceremony, was one of the very best!

With all of our trustees and staff present, we spend a happy couple of hours telling stories of the passion, dedication and enthusiasm our volunteers bring to our projects every single weekend, come rain or shine. 

The Build on Belief staff told happy tales of the people who have dedicated themselves to supporting our peer-led weekend services across London, while our trustees hopped on and off the stage to present the awards to the volunteers. 

But by far and away, the best moments of the evening was listening the speeches the volunteers gave themselves on receiving their awards. Heartfelt, tearful, and always moving, they bought a real sense of family to everyone in the room.

In those moments, each and everyone of us was reminded of the value of those cheering around us, their humanity, their kindness, their desire to help others, and their refusal to give in, no matter how hard the circumstances of their lives. For all of us it was a moving and inspiring evening. 

I will leave the last word to Roger Howard, the Chair of our Board of Trustees, who wrote to the staff afterwards, 'As we saw at out Volunteer Award Ceremony, the passion of everyone involved was a sight to behold and really is a unique testament to what we provide. So as we head for the New Year, one which will be as challenging as it's always been, it's time for me to say thank you to everyone for making BoB a success. We couldn't do it without you and each other.'

Well said, Roger!