The Little Things That Make a Big Difference

Over the past year, The Little Things Grant has helped our team offer timely, practical support to people facing tough situations.

It’s there when no other help is available, and something small can make a big difference, bringing dignity, connection, and relief right when it’s needed most.

Thanks to the generosity of The Tindall Foundation and a heartfelt bequest from Mr Gordon Kelly, we’re delighted the grant will continue for another year, now reaching even more people, including older adults and their whānau.

A Blanket, a Heater, and a Bit of Breathing Room

It was the middle of winter when one of our social workers met a young mum who had just moved into emergency housing with her two kids. There was no heating, and all she had were thin blankets and borrowed clothes. She didn’t ask for much, just a way to keep her children warm at night.

With help from The Little Things Grant, we were able to buy her a safe plug-in heater, warm bedding, and a supermarket voucher to cover basics while she settled in.

She cried when she received them, not out of sadness but out of relief. “This gives me space to think,” she told us. “To feel like we’re not just surviving.”

Safe and Connected After Family Harm

When Leila* left an unsafe relationship, she had little more than the clothes she was wearing. Her phone had been broken during the incident, cutting her off from support and loved ones.

Through The Little Things Grant, we were able to buy her a new mobile phone, SIM card, and a personal safety alarm. They may seem like small things, but for Leila they meant safety, independence, and the ability to start again. “It helped me breathe easier,” she said. “I felt seen, and I felt safe.”

Driving Forward, One Lesson at a Time

A young man in his early twenties had been working hard to rebuild his life after growing up in care. He had a job offer, but the position required a full driver’s licence, something he simply couldn’t afford.

The Little Things Grant covered his lessons and test costs. He passed on his second go and moved into full-time work. “I’m finally doing something I’m proud of,” he told his support worker.