My MBE Journey

Promised myself I wouldn’t cry. But all I’ve done is cry with pure joy, overwhelming emotion and shock!

I have had some incredible awards, honours and commendations for the work I do but I think this is the peak of them all.

I have been made an MBE!!

The King has now publicly announced his honours list and in 2026 I will have the privilege of being presented my MBE.

I say it all the time, but I truly mean it. I don’t do it for reward or anything in return. I do it to make a difference to people’s lives.

I am just an ordinary person trying to make an extraordinary difference to both people and the planet.

I have never and will never let my own physical restrictions and battles prevent me for making a difference in this world.

I want to be the light at the end of a dark tunnel, the hand up people need and the support people need when they feel like they can’t go on.

I am so utterly blessed to have the most incredible team behind me. A team that echo’s my dreams and ambition, that follows my crazy ideas and most importantly supports me throughout.

My entire team are the most incredible people I’ve ever had the privilege of working alongside.

My family, my friends, my children and my incredible better half of me – Ewan. You are my everything and without your endless support, love and belief in me, I simply couldn’t do it.

Ewan especially – you always believe in me, always hold me up, youre always so proud of me and I am so utterly blessed to have you in my life. I love you so much more than you’ll ever realise.

This is all beyond what I could ever have dreamed!

Lianne Simpson MBE

Wow!!!

I am truly overwhelmed and deeply grateful for the incredible media attention and outreach I have received in celebration of my achievement as an MBE. It has been an extraordinary experience to have the opportunity to share my journey and accomplishments with such a diverse and esteemed array of media outlets, including renowned newspapers, television stations, and radio programs. I feel incredibly privileged to have been featured by organisations such as the BBC, ITV, The Hunts Post, Black Cat Radio, Heart Radio, Cambridgeshire Live, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, and many others.

The support and kind words from everyone have touched me deeply and have reinforced the significance of this milestone in my life. This recognition is truly one of the most remarkable honours I could have ever imagined receiving, and I am immensely thankful for the encouragement and positivity that has accompanied this journey. It is a testament to the power of community, perseverance, and the importance of celebrating achievement, and I look forward to continuing to serve and inspire in the future.

1

meals to vulnerable families and individuals

1

people helped with food hampers

1

boxes shipped and delivered to support those impacted by the War in Ukraine

1

rescued food destined for landfill (in tonnes)

1

CO2 kg (PPM)

1

£’s raised through grants and fundraising

1

Families provided with further support for sustainability

1

£’s of food saved from rotting in landfill

1

meals generated from redirected waste

Our Mission

At our organisation, we are deeply committed to combating food poverty and eradicating the stigma that often accompanies the act of seeking assistance.

Our passionate team works tirelessly to minimise food waste by rescuing edible food that would otherwise end up in landfills and redistributing it to individuals and families in need.

We focus on empowering our community by equipping them with essential skills and tools that foster independence and sustainability in the long term.

Believing firmly in the philosophy of sharing the world’s resources, we prioritise a “hands up” approach that encourages growth and self-sufficiency rather than simply providing a “hand out.” In doing so, we strive to create a positive impact not only on people but also on the planet, fostering a healthier, more equitable future for all.

Join us in this vital mission to support those in need while nurturing our environment.

At Diamond Hampers, we understand that accessing food assistance can be a sensitive experience for many individuals and families, often stripped of the dignity they deserve.

Recognising this personal dignity gap, we took a compassionate and innovative approach: instead of traditional food bank services, we created a program that delivers thoughtfully curated food hampers directly to those in need.

This allows recipients to accept assistance in a more approachable and respectful manner, fostering a sense of pride and dignity.

What started as a modest initiative from my own home has blossomed into a thriving organisation, supported by a dedicated team of volunteers who are the backbone of our mission.

Together, we have proudly delivered over 530,000 meals to date, transforming lives and communities with every hamper we provide.

Join us in our commitment to empower individuals through nutritional support and compassion, one meal at a time.

The Pantry is where our mission is to create accessible opportunities for all to shop affordably while enjoying a diverse selection of fresh fruits, vegetables, and much more.

Our innovative approach has not only fostered a vibrant community space, but it has also significantly reduced the reliance on food aid within our local area. Originally, our aim with emergency food provision was to empower individuals to transition into a broader network of support tailored to their unique needs.

Understanding that some may struggle with confidence when reaching out for help, we proudly offer to assist in making those important connections on behalf of our beneficiaries. In our continued dedication to community well-being, we are excited to announce the expansion of our services with the introduction of our delightful Chatty Café, now operating six days a week.

Here, patrons can enjoy a selection of delicious hot and cold meals in a welcoming and safe environment, fostering connections and providing a sense of belonging.

We also recently added our Menopause Cafe sessions. Helping to empower and support women going through the Menopause. With toolkits, guest speakers and professional input.

Join us at The Pantry and be a part of our thriving community!

At our organisation, we are proud that through our initiatives to redirect fruit and vegetable waste, we are successfully saving approximately 25 tonnes each month.

This significant effort not only helps alleviate the burden of unnecessary waste that would otherwise end up rotting in landfills, but it also plays a crucial role in reducing the carbon footprint of our district.

Our commitment goes beyond just immediate waste reduction; we are deeply focused on fostering longer-term solutions that prioritise dignity, independence, and empowerment for all individuals in our community.

This vision is complemented by our other store, “The Attic – Affordable Living,” which offers a diverse range of products, allowing people to shop both affordably and independently. With the unwavering support of our incredible team of dedicated volunteers, we are determined to continue growing, thriving, and providing assistance to those who need it most.

Together, we are building a brighter and more sustainable future for everyone in our community.

Our brand new store – The Toy Chest opened in June 2025. This is a place where you can access affordable baby and children’s items. Such as baby equipment, clothing, toys and much more. All monies raised in store is used to fund FREE clubs for the community. Clubs that will help to eliminate loneliness, bridge dignity gaps and bring people together over shared interests.

“Hunger doesn't take a day off, so neither do we”

Food hampers

We build around 20 – 40 emergency food hampers a week!

Our food hampers contain enough meals to last a week. This is inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner. This can vary dependant on donations and the contents can often vary but we certainly do our best to provide a good balance of foods.

Within them, we include fresh fruits and vegetables, refrigerated items and a variety of cupboard essentials.

care leavers

There are a large portion of young people that have left care with no family support and very little financial support from the government.

We are helping to provide essential food products, toiletries, kitchen essentials and other household items to those young people leaving care.

homeless

We are dedicated to supporting rough sleepers all across the district.

We provide food and supplies where needed to those that need it most!

We are deeply committed to providing support, resources, and assistance to individuals and families who have been affected by domestic abuse. Our mission is to create a safe and empowering environment where survivors can find hope, healing, and the help they need to rebuild their lives. We work tirelessly to raise awareness, offer compassionate services, and advocate for the rights and well-being of those impacted by this challenging and often life-altering issue.

We provide comprehensive support and compassionate assistance to individuals struggling with drug and alcohol addictions, helping them on their journey toward recovery, sobriety, and a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Our mission is to enhance access to affordable food and essential supplies by providing a network of affordable stores designed to serve communities in need. We are committed to bridging dignity gaps by ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to obtain high-quality, affordable necessities in a respectful and welcoming environment. Through our efforts, we aim to promote independence by empowering individuals and families to take control of their well-being, while also fostering sustainability within communities. Our work is driven by the belief that access to basic needs should be a right, not a privilege, and we continuously strive to create a positive impact by making essential resources more accessible, affordable, and sustainable for all.

Our organisation is dedicated to supporting the elderly within the wider community by offering compassionate and comprehensive assistance during times of crisis. We understand the unique challenges faced by seniors and strive to provide a wide range of vital services tailored to meet their needs. From emotional support and practical aid to emergency response and social engagement, we are committed to ensuring that our elderly community members feel valued, cared for, and supported in every aspect of their lives. Our goal is to create a compassionate environment where seniors can access the help they need to navigate difficult times with dignity and confidence.

We are dedicated to supporting disabled individuals within our broader community by offering compassionate and comprehensive assistance during times of crisis. Our commitment is to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We understand the unique challenges faced by those with disabilities and strive to provide a variety of tailored services and resources that meet their diverse needs. Whether through emotional support, practical aid, or community engagement, our goal is to foster a supportive space where every person can access the help they need with dignity and confidence. We believe that by coming together as a community, we can make a positive difference in the lives of all our members, ensuring no one faces their challenges alone.

A disability confident employer is committed to creating an inclusive workplace by actively recruiting, retaining, and supporting employees with disabilities. This approach demonstrates a dedication to equality, diversity, and accessibility, ensuring all individuals have the opportunity to contribute and succeed. Being a disability confident employer also involves implementing reasonable adjustments, fostering an inclusive culture, and promoting awareness to remove barriers for people with disabilities. This not only benefits employees but also enhances the organisation’s reputation and performance by harnessing diverse talents and perspectives.

Who we work with

We partner with other community groups, charities, Community Interest Companies, Councils & Government Agencies to help support people. These are some of the people we work with.