16 October 2025
We’re proud to share that our CEO, Sophie Andrews OBE, has been awarded the James E. Smith Special Recognition Award at the 2025 National Charity Today Awards.
Sophie had a turbulent start in life which led to her making, what turned out to be, life-saving calls to the Samaritans. In her teens, Sophie moved from London to the North West and started volunteering herself for the Samaritans, answering the phone, and giving people the help that she herself had needed. Sophie’s emotional intelligence and empathy is demonstrated in her rise through the ranks at the Samaritans, first becoming the director of the branch to 3 years later being selected to become the Regional Director, managing nineteen branches as a volunteer. In 2008 she became the National Chair, responsible for 22,000 volunteers and 200 branches.
Sophie then moved to Childline as their Head of Volunteering where she met Dame Esther Rantzen, who had set up Childline in the 1980s. Esther asked Sophie if she could help her set up a new helpline for older people called The Silver Line Helpline. She agreed and in 2012 the new charity was set up offering friendship, conversation, and support for older people, especially for those who may be experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation. The charity was subsequently awarded Best New Charity status in the 2015 Charity Times Awards. In 2018 Sophie attended Buckingham Palace to be awarded the OBE for ‘Services to Older People’ for her work as founding CEO setting up The Silver Line Helpline. In 2011 Sophie was awarded the honour of Voluntary Sector Achiever of the Year in the Women in Public Life awards.
Joining Noah's Ark
Sophie joined Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice in 2020 and under her leadership the experience of children and families has remained central. Sophie has promoted a truly holistic approach to care, with equal focus on clinical and non-clinical support with one of the widest breadths of care in the sector. Central to putting Noah’s Ark on the children’s hospice map was achieving validation of excellence with our regulator, The Care Quality Commission. Noah’s Ark had previously been rated as ‘Good’ in 2017 and Sophie was committed to learning from others and driving forward with high quality standards. Sophie visited other hospices and learnt from best practice she saw elsewhere. In February 2023, the first inspection of the new hospice building took place, and the service was rated as ‘Outstanding’, an accolade that only a small percentage of children’s hospices have. All of these accomplishments are testament to Sophie’s tenacity, bravery and strength.
The National Charity Today Awards
Established in 2014, the National Charity Today Awards celebrate the achievements and contributions of charities, businesses, and individuals across the United Kingdom. The awards aim to inspire people to get involved and make a positive difference in their communities. The James E. Smith Special Recognition Award is named in honour of Private James E. Smith, a respected veteran of the British Army who served bravely in the Burma Campaign during World War II. Private Smith was the grandfather of the National Charity Today Awards founder and a symbol of resilience and dedication. This award recognises individuals or organisations who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment, courage, or impact in their charitable efforts, going above and beyond to create meaningful change.
On receiving the award Sophie said:
"I’m so honoured to have won Charity Today’s ‘James E. Smith special Recognition Award’. It means so much to me to have this recognition from my peers in the charity sector."
The judges said:
‘Sophie’s story really moved and inspired the panel. Her work not only demonstrates professional excellence but unwavering commitment to humanity and hope. What an incredible and inspiring person.’
Congratulations to Sophie on a very well-deserved win.
