East Sussex-based charity Family2Family has been honoured with the 2025 King’s Award for Voluntary Service – the highest accolade a UK voluntary group can receive, equivalent to an MBE.
Family2Family, a charity supporting families facing hardship, is celebrating national recognition after being named a recipient of the 2025 King’s Award for Voluntary Service. The award honours exceptional contributions made by volunteer-led groups to their communities.
Founded in 2018 by founders Hannah Powell and Leila Parker, Family2Family (renamed from Baby2Baby &Beyond in 2024) collects and redistributes good-quality baby and children’s clothing, toys, toiletries, and essential items to families in need across East Sussex and nearby areas.
Working through a network of professional referrals from health visitors, social workers and support agencies, the charity aims to provide not just practical support, but dignity and compassion.
With a dedicated team of 40 volunteers, Family2Family delivered essential items to more than 1400 children through its core service in the past year alone. All items are donated by the local community, lovingly cleaned, sorted, and packaged before being gifted to families.
With the addition of the special ‘Bags4School’ and Christmas ‘Gifts4Kids’ campaigns, the charity has reached almost 3000 children across the local area in the past 12 months.
Hannah, who is also Chair of the Trustees, for Family2Family, said: “8 years ago, what is now a vital resource was just an idea, and it wouldn’t have been possible to bring it to fruition without huge amounts of volunteer hours, commitment, and belief.
“Aside from the obvious reward of knowing the joy and relief Family2Family brings to families in need, my proudest moments are those spent with our team. Seeing them work together and choosing to spend their time supporting others whilst forging friendships is truly humbling. I’m incredibly grateful to all our volunteers who have been involved along the way. It’s been an honour and a privilege to see them receive this recognition.”
Family2Family is one of 232 national charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the UK to be recognised this year. The announcement, made annually on 14 November – His Majesty the King’s birthday, marks the third year of the award under King Charles III, following its founding in 2002 by Queen Elizabeth II to commemorate her Golden Jubilee.
Representatives from the charity will receive an official crystal award and certificate from the Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex in the coming months. In addition, two volunteers from the organisation will attend a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace in summer 2026, alongside other national recipients.
For more information or to support their work through donations or volunteering, visit: www.family2family.org.uk