It starts with you.
Simple acts of kindness can make a big difference – that’s the message from a new campaign launched in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire in July 2020.
Connect to Kindness aims to create more understanding about the benefit and impact of kindness to ourselves and others in our community.
“Scientific studies have shown that simple acts of kindness make a big difference to wellbeing and that kindness is good for you,” said Rebecca Evans, Senior Public Health Officer from Public Health Wales.
“When people witness the benefits of your kindness, they will feel inspired to take part, creating a positive chain reaction,” added Wyndham Williams, Community Connector Plus Officer from Pembrokeshire Association Voluntary Services
As part of the campaign, the regional partners are supporting community networks to create an environment where acts of kindness can flourish and happen more easily.
“It’s happening already throughout West Wales”, added Jamie Horton, Community Volunteering Development Officer from Carmarthenshire Association of Voluntary Services.
“This campaign is more about emphasising the health benefits of kindness and shining a light on our kind, compassionate and supportive citizens”.
The work is based on an intergenerational approach that helps new connections develop naturally between everyone and anyone in our communities. We all have something to offer, something that can make a difference to others around us. One act may seem trivial to us, but could make the world of difference to a person who is feeling isolated.
Connect to Kindness has grown out of a programme developed within the Healthier West Wales Transformation Fund.
Partners:
Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire County Councils, the Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, and Pembrokeshire Associations of Voluntary Services, Hywel Dda University Health Board, Public Health Wales and the West Wales Care Partnership.
Five Key Messages
- Kindness is for everyone – Kindness is inclusive, it knows no barriers or discrimination and is for everyone!
- Kindness is good for you – Medical research has proven that being kind and receiving kindness has a positive physical effect on us
- Kindness connects us – It brings us together and helps us share
- Kindness protects us – It has been proven that being kind and receiving kindness helps us live longer and happier lives
- Kindness is inspiring – When others are kind we are more likely to be kind ourselves
And it starts with ONE person, YOU.
Kindness in the Workplace
A new guide and toolkit has been launched to support local employers, staff, groups and organisations to embed kindness in the workplace.
‘Being kind at work allows the team to be more satisfied with their jobs and it can set off a morale-boosting wave throughout an organisation, it is scientifically proven that generosity and kindness propagates and spreads.’
Awareness Sessions
From our own personal experiences with Kindness, Kindness in the Community to Kindness in the Workplace, we will be highlighting the benefits of Kindness and how it can truly play a big part in your life.
Have a look at our Connect to Kindness e-module on CAVS Learning portal.
Celebrating and highlighting kindness across Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire: Connect to Kindness Carmarthenshire
Ceredigion: Connect to Kindness Ceredigion
Pembrokeshire: Connect To Kindness Pembrokeshire
