Imagine moving into new accommodation following a period of homelessness, or perhaps you had to leave everything behind  to flee a dangerous or difficult situation. Of course you are grateful for the four walls and a roof, but you have no plate to eat from, no mug to make a cup of tea and no cutlery, no utensils. 

That is exactly where Dacorum Community Trust steps in with the help of Waitrose Berkhamsted. Our emergency kitchen starter packs bring together essential items – including crockery, cutlery, utensils, and more – and place them directly in the hands of individuals and families when they are needed the most. 

Waitrose’s green token scheme invites shoppers to vote for their favourite local causes each time they visit the store. The tokens add up, and the charity with the most support at the end of the scheme period receives a share of the funding. It is a wonderfully simple idea that turns an everyday shopping trip into a meaningful act of community generosity.

Our Trust Manager, Dena, visited Waitrose Berkhamsted to accept the cheque in person. “This funding will make a tangible difference to people at one of the most vulnerable moments in their lives,” said Dena. “A kitchen starter pack might seem like a small thing, but for some it is the difference between a house and a home.”

We are incredibly grateful to the team at Waitrose Berkhamsted, and to every single shopper who placed a token in our box. Your support helps us be there for people in our community when they need it most.

To find out more about the work we do, or to support us, please visit www.dctrust.org.

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1️⃣ £1,000 Can Make an Immediate Local Impact

£1,000 could help us:

Provide emergency essentials for individuals and families

Support residents facing sudden financial crisis

Offer practical help when unexpected situations arise

Respond quickly when urgent needs appear

Because we are a local charity focused solely on Dacorum, every pound stays in our community — helping neighbours, families, and individuals who urgently need support.

❤️ 2️⃣ It Takes Seconds — But Means Everything

Nominating us takes less than a minute, but the impact could be lasting.

Your nomination says:

“I believe in local support.”

“I want to strengthen my community.”

“I stand behind Dacorum Community Trust.”

That support helps us continue being there for people at their most vulnerable moments.

🌍 3️⃣ You’re Strengthening Our Community

Even beyond the chance to win, nominations help raise awareness of the work we do. The more people who know about us, the more we can:

Reach people in crisis sooner

Connect with partners and supporters

When our community pulls together, we can ensure no one feels alone in their time of need.

🤝 We Can’t Do This Without You

We exist because local people care about local people.

If you’ve ever supported us, shared our work, or believe in what we do, this is a simple and powerful way to help.

👉 Nominate Dacorum Community Trust today:
https://movementforgood.com/draws/1000

Thank you for helping us continue to provide immediate, practical support to people in Dacorum when they have nowhere else to turn.

Together, we can keep helping local people — when they need it most. 💛

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We know that sometimes asking for help can be difficult. Our aim is always to provide support that protects dignity, reduces immediate pressure, and creates stability at a critical time.

For professionals who refer into our service, kindness often looks like recognising when someone needs extra help — and knowing where to turn. Early intervention can prevent problems from escalating and can make a difference to someone’s wellbeing.

The role of partnership and generosity

None of this work happens in isolation.

Referring agencies and professionals help ensure support reaches those who need it most.

Donors and funders make it possible for us to respond quickly and flexibly when people are in crisis.

Your referrals, recommendations, and financial support turn compassion into action — not just on Random Acts of Kindness Day, but throughout the year.

How you can help

💛 If you need support:
You can apply for help directly, or ask a professional or trusted organisation to apply on your behalf. Reaching out is a positive step, and support is available.

🤝 If you work with people who may need help:
Please consider referring them to us. A timely application can make a significant difference.

🌱 If you are able to support financially:
Donations enable us to continue providing essential items to people facing hardship in our community.

This Random Acts of Kindness Day 2026, we are reminded that kindness doesn’t have to be random to be powerful.

Thank you for helping spread a little kindness ❤️

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As a crisis Charity we have tried to ensure we are available wherever possible. While our office is closed, the best way to contact us is by email, and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Tuesday 23rd December – 10am – 3pm

Wednesday 24th December – CLOSED

Thursday 25th December – CLOSED

Friday 26th December – CLOSED

Monday 29th December – CLOSED

Tuesday 30th December – 10am – 3pm

Wednesday 31st December – 11am – 1pm (office will be closed but we will be offering online support during these hours – contact can be made via telephone or email)

Thursday 1st January – CLOSED

Friday 2nd January – 11am – 1pm (office will be closed but we will be offering online support during these hours – contact can be made via telephone or email)

Monday 5th January – CLOSED

Tuesday 6th January – 10am – 3pm

We will continue to keep this page updated for alternative provisions available over the festive period.

Foodbank Opening Times

• Dacorum Foodbank, Dacre House, Hillfield Road, HP2 4AA
  Days open: Monday 29th, Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st December 10am – 1pm
  Contact details: 01442 250969
• Dacorum Borough Council, The Forum, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1DN
  Days open: Tuesday 30th December 8:45am – 4:30pm and Wednesday 31st December 8:45am – 4pm
• St. Peter & Paul Church, High Street, Tring, HP23 5AE
  Days open: Monday 29th, Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st December 10am-12MD
• The Way Inn Christian Centre, 268 High Street, Berkhamsted, HP4 1AQ
  Days open: Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th December 9am-5pm and Wednesday 31st December 9am – 12:30pm
  Contact details: 01442 870768

Agency Opening Times

• Apsley Community Café, St Mary’s Church, Apsley, HP3 9ST
  Days open: Wednesday 24th, Saturday 27th, Wednesday 31st December and Saturday 3rd January 11am – 11:30am
• Salvation Army, 1 Waterhouse Street, Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1ES
  Days open:
  Contact details: 01442 253607

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From now until the end of September, customers at participating Tesco stores across Dacorum can use their blue tokens to vote for us. Your vote could help us secure up to £1,500 in vital funding to support emergency bedding for individuals and families in urgent need.

Why This Matters

At Dacorum Community Trust, we can act quickly to resolve practical crises so that people can get back on their feet and on with their lives. One of the growing needs we’ve identified is access to emergency bedding — including duvets, pillows, sheets, and blankets — for people who have lost their home, fled domestic abuse, or are sleeping in inadequate conditions.

A warm bed might seem like a small thing, but for someone in crisis, it can bring much-needed comfort and dignity.

How You Can Help

Supporting us is easy and free:

1. Shop at your local Tesco store in Dacorum

2. Pick up a blue token at checkout

3. Pop it in the Dacorum Community Trust box at the Community Grants voting station

That’s it! Every token gets us one step closer to our goal.

Where to Vote

You’ll find our project listed in Tesco stores across the Dacorum area, including:

• 2563 Grove Hill Hemel Express Express HP2 6BJ

• 2663 Hemel Hempstead Extra HP2 4JS

• 3343 Warners End Express Express HP1 2QF

• 4573 Hemel Hempstead Fletcher Way Exp Express HP2 5SE

• 4891 Maylands Plaza Express HP2 4XH

• 5415 Hemel Hempstead Barnacres Express Express HP3 8AP

• 6261 Bovingdon High Street Express Express HP3 0HG

• 6446 Hemel Hempsted Marlows Express Express HP1 1BD

• 2706 Lawn Lane Hemel Express Express HP3 9HL

Make Your Vote Count

This funding could make a real difference right here in our community. Please take a moment to vote for Dacorum Community Trust and help us provide warmth, safety, and hope to those who need it most.

Thank you for your continued support.

#DacorumCommunityTrust #TescoCommunityGrants #VoteForDCT #SupportLocal #EmergencyBedding #DacorumCares

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The team at Dacorum Community Trust was delighted when two of its long serving trustees, Tony Williams and Mike Edis, attended the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace on 20th May 2025. This was in recognition of the Trust’s recent King’s Award for Voluntary Service.  Both Tony and Mike said they were deeply honoured to represent Dacorum Community Trust on this very special occasion.

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The King’s Award is the highest award given to volunteer groups in the United Kingdom, equivalent to an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for volunteer groups. It was previously known as the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service before being renamed in 2023. The award recognises exceptional work done by volunteer groups in their communities.

Dacorum Community Trust is a small, independent charity, deeply committed to serving the people of Dacorum. The Trust provides vital household support for local people in financial crisis, also providing a signposting and referral service to ensure residents get all the help that they need.

Dena Tyler MBE, Trust Manager said:

“We are so very proud of this award. It is validation of the trust and reputation that we have built within the community of Dacorum, and the highest possible public recognition of everything our small charity has achieved throughout its years of service. The award would not have been possible without our wonderful, passionate team and our incredible group of volunteers. The board of trustees would like to thank the entire team for their continuous hard work and dedication. We are a small charity that can achieve big things.”

Over the past five years, Dacorum Community Trust has seen a steady increase in demand for crisis support from the people of Dacorum, with a 110% increase* in people registering for practical crisis support.

(*726 clients during the lockdowns of 2020/21, to an anticipated 1,530 clients this year)

For more information about Dacorum Community Trust and its work, please visit https://www.dctrust.org.uk

Contact:

Dena Tyler MBE, Trust Manager

01442 253216

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