Community Support Hub "M" Store
Since late 2022, I have been discreetly developing the ‘M’ Store here at our school. This onsite food & essentials bank was established to support our school community with the increasing cost of living. We now provide basic non-perishable food items as well as toiletries, hygiene products and even furniture.
Celebrating Our Unsung Hero: Emma Hicks
We are incredibly proud to share that our wonderful Emma Hicks, our dedicated Family Engagement Worker, was nominated for the prestigious Unsung Hero Award, run by Families First.
About the Unsung Hero Award
This award recognises exceptional individuals in the wider community whose invaluable work often goes unnoticed. Nominees demonstrate inclusivity, creativity, flexibility, and innovation, and consistently go above and beyond to support children, families, and their wider community. Emma embodies all of this – and so much more.
Why Emma Was Nominated
Families First met Emma in March 2025 and this is why they nominated her:
Emma is widely recognised for her warm, empathetic, and highly professional approach to supporting children, young people, and their families. Her ability to build strong, trusting relationships makes her an invaluable presence within the school community, and she consistently demonstrates compassion, reliability, and unwavering commitment in every aspect of her work.
Parents and carers frequently express how much they value Emma’s emotional and practical support, whether offered face to face, over the phone, or by text. Her approachable nature helps families feel reassured, listened to, and understood, and her calm and thoughtful manner enables her to guide them through challenging situations with confidence and dignity.
Emma’s support for students is equally exceptional. Children and young people regularly seek her out to share their thoughts, express their concerns, or simply talk through their day, reflecting the trust and comfort they feel in her presence. Her friendly, non-judgemental attitude encourages open communication and helps students feel safe and valued.
Her guidance also extends to sensitive pastoral issues, where she consistently responds with empathy and practicality. Whether providing advice, resources, or emotional reassurance, Emma’s actions always focus on promoting wellbeing and fostering positive outcomes.
Overall, Emma’s character is defined by kindness, understanding, and a deep commitment to helping others. She continues to have a profoundly positive impact on the school community, inspiring confidence, connection, and genuine care wherever she goes.
The Heart of the School: The M-Store
"Every time I visited Emma in her office, affectionately known as the M-Store, the door was constantly opening. Students popped in for essentials—water, deodorant—or simply for a moment of calm and a friendly chat. Outside, Emma has created a welcoming seating space with tables, chairs, and parasols for students and families to relax and connect. Seeing groups of students happily chatting there truly captures the safe and uplifting environment she has nurtured".
"Inside the M store, the space feels warm and welcoming, with sofas, plants, and water fountains that make everyone feel safe, valued, and never judged."
"Emma once shared her vision for the M-Store: a space where people can come in, have a cup of tea and a biscuit, talk about whatever is going on in their life, be signposted to support, and then help themselves to whatever they need.
That vision has truly come to life. The M-Store is never quiet, and everyone leaves with a smile."
Inspiring a Community
"Emma’s generosity inspires others too. Her example has led families to regularly return items they no longer need, ensuring others can benefit. Students have also been motivated to run Christmas gift projects, adding even more kindness into our community."
Thank you - Families First
Emma is not just an Unsung Hero – she is a shining example of compassion, creativity, and community spirit. We are incredibly grateful for everything she does and thrilled to celebrate her nomination.
28th October 2024 - New M Store building
TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE ST ALBANS TIMES click here
The ‘M Store’ has been a great success and lots of families have supported us by donating to this extremely worthy cause. We have two labelled wheelie bins located outside the school gate from 8am to 5pm for any donations.
I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge all the parents, carers and staff that have made this wonderful project successful so far and on behalf of the students that have benefited from the hot meals, clothing and hygiene products that you have facilitated, a massive thank you!
We always require more Items such as…
• Toothpaste • Toilet rolls • Toothbrushes • Deodorant • Soap • Shampoo • Conditioner • Laundry detergent • Tins of beans, vegetables, spaghetti and fruit • Pasta • Rice • Squash/ bottled water • Crisps • Cereal • Cereal bars • Long life milk • Cook in- sauces • Crackers • Biscuits • Tea • Coffee • Hot chocolate • Any other non-perishable food/drink items • Any clean school uniform
Please contact me in the following way with any enquires related to the M Store: e.hicks@marlborough.herts.sch.uk 01727 731 364 | 07916 038 784
Should you wish to apply for Free School Meals, please follow this link
kING'S TRUST - COMMUNITY IMPACT UNIT
A piece of schoolwork or an opportunity to give so much more?
As students returned fully refreshed from the October half term break, we posed two simple questions to our year 9s: Where is support needed in our community? How can we support community projects? From here, spiralled a half term of embodiment of 2 of our school values; kindness and compassion.
Students initially analysed the notion of community as being a term that has meaning globally, nationally, locally and within organisations. To demonstrate to students how small acts of kindness can make a difference, they initially learned about and took part in a global project ‘Pay it forward – random acts of kindness’. Knowing that their small acts of kindness had been part of something big, inspired them to look more closely at a community project running within our school; The M Store
Students interviewed Miss Hicks, who manages the M Store to find out more about its aims, successes and the support it needs to have further impact in our community. Following on from this, students were invited to the school conference room, where they took the roles of a project committee in a planning meeting.
The students identified the need for further promotion of the M store. They felt more families might benefit, if they know how it can support. They also planned who would carry out different maintenance and operational tasks that would improve the daily workings of the M Store.
The 3rd and final area they focused on was a Christmas focused initiative, allowing the M Store to provide small gifts for young people in families where finances may be stretched at this time of year. Students set up a tree for students and staff to take gift tags of, specifying a gift that would really be appreciated by an individual who is currently being supported by the M Store.
As you can see the students fully embraced providing hands on support to the M store. Tasks they have completed include building storage, sorting stock, labelling shelves and even a spot of decorating!
