To celebrate World Kindness Day on 13th November, why not offer a random act of kindness to a fellow neighbour?
Whether it’s reaching out to someone you’ve never spoken to before for a friendly chat or offering to help an elderly neighbour collect the fallen leaves from their driveway, there are so many things you can do to make a difference in your community.
Take a look below for 10 great ideas to share the love.
Talk to a stranger on the street
In an age of smartphones and Zoom meetings, it’s so refreshing to have an actual face-to-face conversation with another human! The British Psychological Society has even documented all the reasons why talking to strangers is good for your wellbeing, so next time you’re walking down the street give it a try! Whether the conservation is about the weather or your neighbour’s new car, initiate a chat and you might find yourself helping to improve your own mood as well as your neighbours.
Or just smile and say hello
If you don’t have time or don’t feel comfortable starting up a full conversation, just smile and say hello! A simple smile can make a big difference in spreading joy around the community.
Drop a kind note through the letterbox
Heard that one of your neighbours is not feeling well or having a bit of a hard time? Receiving a friendly note through the post is always nice, so why not scribble down a few kind words to let them know you’re thinking of them?
Offer children’s clothes to a young family
If you have a growing family, chances are you will have a drawer somewhere in your home that’s stuffed with clothes that are now too small for your kids. So, why not do your bit for both the community and the environment and offer them to someone who could make good use of them? Parents are always grateful for pre-loved hand-me-downs, especially in the current economic climate, so bag them up and make someone’s day!
Give someone a compliment
Everyone loves a compliment. Whether you compliment someone on the colour of their hair, how clean their car is or a nice new pair of shoes, a kind word can truly make someone feel more special and appreciated.
Leave a treat for your delivery driver
Delivery drivers have a busy (and quite lonely) job going from door to door every day delivering parcels. So, why not anticipate their arrival and leave them a small gesture to show your appreciation? Whether it’s a homemade caramel slice or a refreshing bottle of water, a simple treat can brighten their day and let them know their hard work is valued.
Help an elderly neighbour
If you’re living close to an elderly neighbour who lives alone, it’s safe to say they might be suffering from loneliness from time to time, as well as struggling to do all their household chores. Offering to take out their bins with your own or make them a home-cooked meal once in a while shows them they’re not alone and that help is there for them should they need it.
Babysit for Free
All parents deserve a break from time to time. Therefore, if you know a busy family on your street, you could offer to watch the kids for a while so that their parents can enjoy a little time to themselves. Or why not organise a babysitting group with a few well-trusted teenagers in the neighbourhood and circulate flyers offering their services at a discounted rate?
Share some tasty treats
Fancy yourself as a bit of a baking master? Why not make a slightly bigger batch than normal and distribute some to your neighbours and friends. Whether it’s with a festive cookie or a mince pie, the way to most people’s hearts is with a nice sweet treat!
Start a book swap
Creating a book swap is a great way to share great stories with your neighbours as well as save money on expensive new editions. Start by talking to neighbours, friends, and local community members to gauge interest, encouraging participants to share books they no longer want. You might suggest a range of genres to attract a wider audience – even kids’ books too. Once you have a bit of interest, you could create a WhatsApp group or a social media community board to spread the word and get people swapping their pre-read books.