Unlock Impact: Transform Your Charity with Award-Winning Strategies

At the Be Kind Movement, our genesis is rooted in the power of kindness. One way we try to manifest this is by sharing the valuable insights we've gained. We genuinely believe in paying it forward, and doing the right thing simply because it is. Sharing our journey in achieving recognition and growing awareness seems like a natural extension of this philosophy, allowing others to benefit from what we've learned.

Many of us are stretched paper thin and under-resourced, often focusing on essential tasks. In these instances, it can seem like dedicating time to writing and submitting entries for awards is a frivolous and ineffective way to advance a charity's goals, especially when there are seemingly more obvious ways to directly impact the mission. 

However, for charities striving to make a significant impact, entering and winning awards is a strategic move that should not be overlooked.  

1. Awards can elevate your charity's profile

2. build credibility, and open doors to new opportunities. 

Despite the stress and strains of daily operations, embracing opportunities like award entries can significantly benefit our aims. With careful selection, crafting compelling applications, and leveraging the recognition, your charity can thrive and continue making a difference in the communities you serve.

We share this knowledge with the hope that more charities will benefit from the recognition and support that awards can bring. 

About us

Since 2021, we have been applying for awards and have proudly secured three wins. Entering awards is more than just seeking accolades; it's about showcasing your charity's impact and gaining the recognition it deserves.

In a competitive and challenging landscape, awards can elevate your charity's profile, build credibility, and open doors to new opportunities. By carefully selecting awards, crafting compelling applications, and leveraging the recognition, your charity can thrive and continue making a difference in the communities you serve.

For charities striving to make a significant impact, entering and winning awards is a strategic move that should not be overlooked. Start researching and applying today, and watch your charity's influence and reach grow.

• Charity of the Year – British Diversity Award 2024 Winner 

• Achievements in Arts and Culture – British Asian Women Awards 2024 (Be Kind Productions producing films such as ITSY and Newbie.) Winner 

• Educational Role Model - Inspiring Indian Women 2024 Runner up

• Champion of Culture - She Inspires Awards 2024 Finalist 

• Woman in Leadership - She Inspires Awards 2024 Finalist

• Smiley Charity Film Award -  Short film ‘Let's Start a Movement 2024 Finalist  

• Community Award - Wandsworth’s Women Enterprise Awards 2022 Finalist  

• Smiley Charity Film Award -  Short film ‘Make Kindness the Norm 2022 Finalist  

• Charity of the Year - Best British Women Awards 2021 Winner 

1. Understanding the Importance of Awards

Awards serve as a formal recognition of a charity's efforts and achievements. They provide external validation, boost credibility, and increase visibility. For charities, this recognition can translate into greater donor trust, enhanced reputation, and expanded opportunities for partnerships and funding.

2. Selecting the Right Awards

Not all awards are created equal. Focus on those that align with your charity's mission and values. Research the criteria and previous winners to understand what the judges are looking for. Choose awards that offer significant exposure and credibility within your sector.

3. Crafting a Compelling Application

Your application is your chance to showcase your charity's impact. Provide clear, concise, and compelling narratives about your projects and their outcomes. Use data and testimonials to support your claims. Highlight innovation, sustainability, and community engagement.

4. Demonstrating Impact and Innovation

Judges look for measurable impact and innovative approaches. Showcase how your charity addresses pressing issues and achieves meaningful results. Highlight unique strategies and successful collaborations that set your charity apart.

5. Engaging Stakeholders

Involve your staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries in the award application process. Their stories and testimonials add authenticity and depth to your submission. Demonstrating strong community support can also sway judges.

6. Learning from Feedback

Even if you don't win, the feedback from judges can be invaluable. Use it to refine your programs and future applications. Continuous improvement is key to eventually securing those wins.

7. Promoting Your Achievements

Winning an award is just the beginning. Leverage the recognition by promoting it through press releases, social media, and your website especially if you’re a small charity. Share the news with your donors, partners, and the media. Highlighting your achievements can attract new supporters and resources.

Start researching and applying today, and watch your charity's influence and reach grow.  Together, we can foster a culture of kindness, collaboration, and shared success.

Our Founder Premila Puri at the BBWA

Resolutions: How to stick to them with Self-Compassion

As we are 50 days into 2024, it's the perfect time to pause and reflect on our progress and the journey we've embarked upon. While setting goals for ourselves is an essential part of personal growth, it is equally important to approach them with empathy and compassion for ourselves. Often, in the fervour of the new year, we become so consumed by our newfound motivation, that we forget to be kind to ourselves when the excitement wears off.

Here are a few easy ways to keep your resolutions without self-blame -

Setting realistic goals -  It is important to set achievable goals, keeping your mental and physical limitations in mind. Breaking down goals into smaller pragmatic goals is a great way to avoid getting overwhelmed.

Setting mindful goals - being mindful of the goals you are setting and the motivation behind them is a great way to keep yourself from disappointment. Aligning your goals to your values is an important part of setting long-term goals

Celebrating progress - we often focus on perfection rather than progress. Celebrating even small wins can increase your motivation and avoid discouragement.

Create a support system - we are stronger together! Finding people to motivate and support you with your resolutions is a crucial part of keeping yourself determined. It is a great idea to find a group of people with similar goals or resolutions. 

Reflect and learn - setbacks are a part of the process, but it is crucial to understand they aren't failures. It is rather an opportunity to reflect and learn from your experiences to better yourself. 

Enjoy the process - while it is natural to get caught up in trying to achieve the goal, it is vital to find joy in what you are doing to keep doing it for the long term. 

Life is unpredictable, our situations and circumstances change ever so often leading us to be inconsistent with our goals. During these times, it is very important to be kind to ourselves with actions and words, just like how you would be to a friend. A little slump in the journey is not a failure, but rather a lesson to learn and grow from.

Self Care- The Key To A Kinder World

We live in a world that constantly demands us to be more perfect, more successful, and more productive. A stay-at-home parent is bombarded with conflicting messages to go out and financially contribute to the family while a working parent is told to contribute more to their child’s upbringing. This relentless pressure to be more and do more can take a toll on our physical and mental health.

What if being kind to ourselves sets off a chain reaction, inspiring us to be kinder towards those around us?

While bubble baths and manicures may be enjoyable, they are not the only way to practice self-care.

1. Carve out some time for yourself daily - Music, dance or long baths, whatever it may be, take some time out for yourself every day to do things you love.

2. Prioritize a healthy lifestyle - Eating healthy, being physically active and getting quality sleep are the key to a balanced life.

3. Practice mindfulness - Cultivate awareness in the present moment with meditation, breathing exercises, yoga and other practices.

4. Be grateful - Appreciate the positive aspects of your life. Keep a gratitude journal and notice the change in your mindset.

5. Engage in hobbies - Dedicate some time each week to pursue interests that bring you joy and fulfill your life.

6. Spend time with family and friends - We all need human connection, to love and be loved. Spending quality time with people who support and understand us is an integral part of self-care.

7. Practice self-compassion - Treat yourself the way you would treat others. Often, we tend to be overly critical and demanding of ourselves. Instead, let's be gentle and mindful of our inner voice.

8. Set clear boundaries - Be it in our personal life or professional life, we all struggle to set boundaries and say no. Learning to say no to things you don't have the bandwidth for, can protect your mental peace and energy.

9. Nature bathing - Spending time in nature away from your gadgets can go a long way in recharging your mental space.

10. Pamper yourself - Everybody deserves to treat themselves to things they love, every now and then. Take yourself shopping, get that massage you have been wanting, take yourself out to dinners, and do things that make you feel special.

We all have an array of responsibilities we have to tend to on a daily basis, and more often than not these responsibilities take priority over self-care. As a new mother myself, I quickly learned that self-care is essential for being a better parent and spouse. It helped me embrace myself, destress, effectively manage my emotions and be more present with my family. Self-care is not a luxury, but rather an investment in your happiness and health, it is an act of kindness towards yourself!

In a world that constantly tells you you are not enough, be resilient and say “I am more than enough”!

Do you have any self-care rituals you swear by? Please share with us in our comments section. Follow our socials and website to know more about Be Kind Movement programmes and campaigns.

World Kindness Day 2022

On Sunday 13 November 2022 it is World Kindness Day. To celebrate, we’ll be sharing our favourite acts of kindness and top tips for spreading kindness throughout the day on social media.

Join the conversation

You can find us on many social media channels - come and follow us to stay updated!

Run for BKM - Highlight Marathons for 2023

© Copyright Sluge G and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Hackney Half

The Hackney Half is a marathon that delivers the perfect blend of sport and local culture. As you’re guided down the streets of Hackney, you’ll be greeted by the carnival sounds of Mare Street as you cross historical landmarks like Broadway Market and Hackney Wicks, and buildings embellished with vibrant graffiti by talented local artists.

As part of the Hackney Moves festival, organised by Limelight Sports Club, the Hackney Half is an integral feature in a weekend of sport, movement, and entertainment, bringing people together from all walks of life.

Next event – 21st May 2023

© Copyright David Dixon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Manchester Marathon

The Manchester Marathon, also known as the Adidas Manchester Marathon for 2023, is a marathon welcoming everyone from professional marathon runners to amateurs. Additionally, it’s recognised as the UK’s flattest marathon, making it a perfect fit for novice marathon runners eager to push their limits in a grand-scale race.

Since its modest beginnings in 2012 with fewer than 5,000 runners, the Manchester Marathon has flourished into a colossal event, drawing in over 24,000 participants a decade later. Notably, it is supported by 125,000 Mancunians lining the streets, passionately cheering on the runners, solidifying its status as one of the premier and largest marathons in the UK.

From under 5,000 runners participating in its first event in 2012 to over 24,000 10 years later, with 125,000 Mancunians lining the streets to cheer them on, the Manchester Marathon has grown to be one of the largest marathons in the UK. Today, the Manchester Marathon has evolved into a pivotal event that plays a vital role in supporting hundreds of charities, providing them with invaluable donations and exposure.

Next event – 16th April 2023

© Copyright Malc McDonald and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Brighton Marathon

Founded by former long-distance runner Tim Hitchings and local athlete Tom Naylor, the Brighton Marathon takes centre stage in a vibrant weekend of events offering a memorable experience to all attendees. Comprising of a full marathon, a 10k race, a 50k bike ride, and an exciting mini-mile race exclusively for participants under 18, the Brighton Marathon offers a wide array of events, ensuring that there is an opportunity for all demographics to actively participate.

Not only does the Brighton Marathon capture the hearts of sports enthusiasts, but it also showcases the charm of its iconic coastal city. Running along the vibrant promenade, participants are rewarded with scenic views of the stunning British coastline.

Next Event - 2nd April 2023

© Copyright Ian Usher and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Asics 10k

Situated in the bustling heart of central London, the Asics 10k race presents an appealing option for individuals seeking an exhilarating running experience without the extensive commitment typically required for a marathon.

Despite its shorter distance, the Asics 10k race treats participants to a captivating route that showcases London's iconic landmarks, including the illustrious Trafalgar Square, the majestic St Paul's Cathedral, and the iconic Big Ben.

Next event – 9th July 2023

When is the deadline to register?

Hackney Half – 4th May 2023

Manchester Marathon – 27th February 2023

Brighton Marathon – 27th February 2023

Asics 10K – 24th June 2023

How running with BKM will make a difference?

What makes running the Hackney Half, Manchester Marathon, Brighton Marathon, or Asics 10K for Be Kind Movement truly special is that you not only challenge yourself physically but also make a meaningful impact by supporting a charity dedicated to fostering emotional intelligence skills in children and young people by promoting kindness through the power of film.

Your fundraising will help BKM further develop its Kindness in School Programme which delivers kindness workshops that help build vital life skills such as resilience, compassion, gratitude, and mindfulness in children.

With a planned expansion into e-learning, funding will also contribute towards developing BKM’s e-learning platform, allowing children to access our Kindness programme not only physically, but virtually.

You'll be an integral component of the work that goes into introducing films for BKM, such as Savage and ITSY, that have received rave reviews at film festivals worldwide.

For more info on all the events that we're partnered with, please check out our “run for bkm” page.

Send a letter from Santa and support BKM!

This year, Sarah at PhotoFairytales has chosen Be Kind Movement as charity of the year to help spread some kindness this Christmas.

Sarah created individual, hand-signed high-quality letters and Telegrams from the real Father Christmas!

About the amazing letters…

For many years Father Christmas has chosen PhotoFairytales.co.uk as THE place to find one of his genuine, official letters or telegrams. Don't be fooled by other poor quality Santa letters: these are the real thing and absolutely gorgeous! Santa personally writes each one uniquely and individually for every child, and he hand signs every one too. Imagine their face when a special big red handwritten envelope is delivered this December from Father Christmas! The personalised Santa Letter Packs are very special and amazing value - limited edition, with only a few available, the Packs contain not only a letter but also a certificate, chocolate coin and 3 mystery gifts too! Santa also sends lovely personalised Telegrams too, and even beautiful personalised Letters for Christmas morning. Prices start at just £7.25, including free UK delivery. Find them all at www.photofairytales.co.uk until December 15th.

Supporting Be Kind Movement

Every year the sales of PhotoFairytales Santa Letters and Telegrams help to raise money for a UK charity. This year they are supporting Be Kind Movement, and will be making a 50p donation to us for every Letter and Telegram you buy! Thank you so much.

Visit the website today

https://www.photofairytales.co.uk/santaletter.html 

Best British Women Awards - the highlights!

On 30 September 2022, Be Kind Movement attended the Best British Business Awards in London.

As chosen charity of the year, we had an amazing evening raising vital funds for the organisation and celebrating our 2021 win for Premila Puri, our Founder.

Thank you to everyone who attended the evening, donated items for our silent auction and raffle and supported the event.

The evening would not have been possible without the amazing donations of so many people and organisations. Thank you!

A night at the Charity Film Awards

In March 2022, Be Kind Movement was delighted to attend the Charity Film Awards in London - as Finalists!

Our film 'Making Kindness the Norm' was a Finalist in this year’s Charity Film Awards, alongside some amazing videos.

More than 300 charities entered the 5th Charity Film Awards, and just over 100 were shortlisted as Finalists.

The winners from each category were announced on 22 March at the glamorous Awards ceremony in ODEON Luxe, Leicester Square. 

Thank you to everyone who voted for Be Kind Movement, we appreciate your support and we can’t wait to enter again in 2023!

Vote for BKM in the Charity Film Awards today!

We are thrilled to get through to the next round of the Charity Film Awards - but now voting is open again and we could be in with a chance of winning the People's Choice Award in our category!

Our film needs votes again for this second round (and yes, those who've voted in the first round can vote again!) Just head to the Smiley Movement website today to vote.

Thank you so much for your support.

Win this International Women's Day!

It's nearly International Women's Day so to celebrate we've teamed up with the fantastic team at Kind Natured to offer one lucky winner a special treat.

All of our e-newsletter subscribers will be automatically entered into the prize draw to win a Kind Natured goody bag - so subscribe today!

Thank you to our wonderful supporters Kind Natured for donating this prize!

Don’t forget to ask your friends and family to subscribe to the Be Kind Movement e-newsletter online as well.

The competition closes at midnight on 7th March and we'll announce the winner on 8th March which is International Women’s Day.

Good luck!

May your days be merry and kind

Well, that's a wrap...we are finishing up for the year here at Be Kind Movement.

Thank you for all your support over the past 12 months. With your help, we have reached hundreds of children, raised much-needed funding and spread kindness far and wide. We couldn't have done it without you!

Take a look at our video to enjoy the highlights of 2021 - thank you for being part of our journey!

We will be back on Tuesday 04 January 2022.

From all of us at Be Kind Movement, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Listen to an interview with our founder at the Best Business Women Awards 2021

Earlier this year, the Best Business Women Awards 2021 were held at the Hilton Wembley, and we are thrilled to say our founder, Premila Puri, won the Charity Champion Award!

In November, Premila was interviewed by the Awards - have a listen now!

Premila Puri with sponsor, Justine Perry from Cariad Marketing

Our founder wins at the Best Business Women Awards 2021!

In October 2021, the Best Business Women Awards 2021 were held at the Hilton Wembley, and we are thrilled to say our founder, Premila Puri, won the Charity Champion Award!

Premila was recognised in this prestigious competition which seeks to find the very best female business talent from across the UK and internationally. 

The Best Business Women Awards are designed to highlight the achievements of women across a wide range of industries. All winners, selected by a panel of business experts, demonstrated a flair for entrepreneurship, tenacity and determination.

Premila Puri with sponsor, Justine Perry from Cariad Marketing

Debbie Gilbert, the Awards organiser, said: "The judges believed that Premila and Be Kind Movement provide amazing support for young children to help them understand the world and their part in making it a kinder, supportive place.

"This charity exceeds in every way in highlighting, delivering, supporting and educating on the transformative power of kindness."

We couldn't be more proud. Well done, Premila! 

Today is World Animal Day!

At Be Kind Movement we are celebrating World Animal Day - October 4th - to remind us of the importance of improving the welfare of our animals. 

This is the one day of the year which embraces all animals and the unique concerns of each, in every country. 

Every year we lose multiple species as a result of threats to animal populations, which is bad for our ecosystem and has a knock on effect down the food chain, including to ourselves. 

Find out how you can magnify the visibility of this awareness day below! 

Why should we protect and conserve our animal species?

Every animal, from the smallest fish to the largest land mammal, has an integral role in its ecosystem. The loss of any animal species impacts their habitats altogether, and has a knock on effect to all species, including ourselves. Animals help pollination, keep forests healthy and even control pests. The welfare of our animals is in our best interests and means we can preserve them for future generations to appreciate and explore, so we should play our part and protect these species! 

How can I celebrate World Animal Day? 

Post some pictures of animals or even pets on social media. Let your friends know you’re supporting World Animal Day with the hashtag #WorldAnimalDay. Find out what your spirit animal is using this Buzzfeed quiz! 

Be kind to our planet; pick up litter you see outside, especially if it’s in a populated habitat like a forest. 

Eat more sustainably. Cut down your meat consumption to minimise your carbon footprint and make responsible food choices. This doesn’t necessarily mean cutting animal products out of your diet, but you could consider eating more plants and varied foods. According to WWF, 75% of the world’s food supply is derived from only 12 plants and five animal species, and approximately 94% of fish stocks are fished at their limit or overfished. 

Make greener choices in your everyday life. Start by taking your bag for life to the supermarket to reduce unnecessary plastic waste which could harm our animals. Try shopping more sustainably from smaller businesses and charity shops with a lower carbon footprint, and try to extend the product life cycle of your clothes by sewing them when they rip, for example. 

Lucy

Educational Researcher at Be Kind Movement

The Virgin Money London Marathon is back!

Today the 3rd of October is the day of the Virgin Money London Marathon, this amazing event which unites runners from across the nation to participate in friendly competition, achievement and together raise millions of pounds for charity.  

Around fifty thousand runners are said to take part in the marathon this year and thousands of others are taking on the extraordinary challenge of 26 miles on a route of their choice across the country.  

How does the marathon help so many people? 

• The Virgin Money London Marathon is the biggest mass participation single day fundraisers for charities.

• Last year due to Covid and this marathon not taking place, instead the 2.6 challenge was introduced by organisers of mass fundraising events. This combined with the virtual Virgin Money London Marathon and other events hosted by them raised fifty million pounds for charity.

• Also, in 2020 around 4000 charities benefited from the money raised which was extremely helpful due to the loss of an estimated £10 billion in revenue due to Covid at a time when they were needed.

• In 2019 a total of £66.4 million pounds was raised for charity - this was the largest amount raised from the event!

How could you support the marathon?

You don’t have to be able to run 26 miles in order to help support the Virgin Money London Marathon raise money for charities. Here are some ways you can support the day…

• Donate to people running for the Virgin Money London Marathon, this can be done through friends or on a Facebook page. 

• Do some fundraising of your own – during this time of such fundraising spirit you could do some fundraising for a charity of your choice too (you could even run 2.6 miles instead of 26!)

• Make a donation to a charity of your choice

• Follow the Virgin Money London Marathon on Twitter and keep updated with the action / retweet your support for runners 

“In running, it doesn’t matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.” – Fred Lebow – New York City Marathon co-founder 

Thank you again,

Best wishes 

Harriet

It's ADHD Awareness Month

ADHD – deficiency or superpower?

Attention please! October is here and it is ADHD awareness month! ADHD refers to Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, meaning it results from the development of the brain and this leads to ADHD traits or behaviours. Unfortunately, this name does not reflect the growing movement towards neurodiversity, which reframes “disorders” as “differences”.

When we label something a “disorder”, there is an implied negative connotation and a departure from “normal”. However, neurodiversity recognises that whilst many people might be “neurotypical”, a huge percentage of the population are “neurodiverse”, meaning they develop, think, behave or are abled differently. Neurodiversity celebrates differences and varying abilities and moves away from prejudice and towards compassion.

Individuals with ADHD can be uniquely skilled in bringing their energy and hyper-focus to their work or interests. They are often creative, with minds which are active, imaginative and busy. Such attributes can lead to innovation and thinking outside the box. Of course, with such assets, come challenges too. For example, staying on task or managing time are areas a person with ADHD often needs strategies for. With the right support from schools, colleagues, families and friends, people work towards managing the impact of their ADHD and lead fulfilling lives.

Many inspirational people have shared their own stories of stigmatisation and success as they live with ADHD.

ADHD has served as a superpower for musicians such as Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters fame, Justin Timberlake, Adam Levine of Maroon5 and will.I.am to name a few. Olympians Michael Phelps and Simone Biles too share a diagnosis and success in common. Phelps shares “I had a teacher tell me that I would never amount to anything and I would never be successful.” However, he has more than proved them wrong and smashed through the stigma: “It’s something that I’m thankful happened, and I’m thankful that I am how I am. I look at myself every day and I’m so proud and so happy of who I am and who I was able to become.”

Top tips:

A ADHD awareness month’s website offers videos from experts about reframing ADHD here

D Dani Donovan creates excellent ADHD comics here and is an active advocate on social media

H Help children learn more about ADHD with one of these recommended reads here

D Discuss neurodiversity when you can and advocate for a kinder concept of difference. Thank you for your attention!

Amy

Written by Amy Partington, Educational Researcher at Be Kind Movement.

Be kind to your body this National Fitness Day

Did you know that today, 22nd September, is National Fitness Day?

This day aims to spread awareness about the importance of physical activity. Exercise is so important for our wellbeing as it releases positive endorphins , it gives us time to be kind to bodies, as well as opening up opportunities for socialising and making friends. 

There are several benefits of exercise, including: 

• Reduces stress

• Increases metabolism

• Improves sleep

• Lowers cholesterol

• Increases immunity

• Improves concentration

• Lowers blood pressure

• Strengthens cardiac function

How it helps us be kind to ourselves  

Before starting university I used to do very little exercise, then one of my new flatmates told me about his running so I thought I would give it a go. After just a month I noticed a significant reduction in my stress and anxiety levels. I felt much more positively about myself and I felt much better overall. Now nearly a year later I’m doing Parkrun weekly and my time for 5k has gone from 38 mins down to 28. This just shows the amazing difference that exercise can make not just to physical health but also our mental health in reducing stress and seeing ourselves in a more positive light.  

How will you celebrate the day?

Here’s some ideas to get you started…

• Go on a walk with friends – this can be a very good way to start the day and be a lovely way to catch up. 

• See what things are going on in your local area – there might be group fitness events or even arrange to go to Parkrun which is a 5k run evert every Saturday up and down the country.  Lots of local parks also have outdoor gyms now which are free to use

• Take up a new sport – See what different local sports clubs are in your area. This could be a perfect opportunity to try out something new. 

• Try a new fitness app – There are a lot of fitness apps that can monitor your activity these are available for a range of sports. One I would recommend which creates a really good community is Strava. This can monitor running, walking and cycling to windsurfing, and it is a very positive community of encouragement. 

You can find out more about the different events taking place today at https://www.nationalfitnessday.com/activity-finder/.

I hope you have a great day, whether you go for a gentle walk or have a dip in a swimming pool!

Harriet

Be Kind Movement

Exploring peace and kindness this International Day of Peace

This year marks the 30th International Day of Peace, created by the UN Decade in 1981. It’s a day that emphasises peaceful resolutions, away from violence. The Be Kind Movement is celebrating this day focusing on the peace that kindness brings to ourselves and to others. On a wider scale it often feels like there isn’t much we can do at an individual level - but there’s always something. If you have the capacity, please consider donating to causes that promote peace, as unfortunately there is a lot of unkindness in the world, but we do not have to be defined by it. I personally really respect the work of Peace Direct and Peace Pledge Union who work to challenge war, and help those affected by it. Even if you are not able to donate monetarily there’s still a lot that we can do to support peace in our own lives. Conflicts and confrontations often can’t be avoided in our day to day life, but if we learn to handle them in a kind way, we’ll often find we’re not that different after all, and can work together to achieve a peaceful resolution. Mediators Beyond Borders International have put together a list of 25 ways you can promote peace in your life. I’ve put my favourite ones below and why I think they’re particularly relevant to our kindness message.

Learn another language

This one is tricky, and requires a lot of hard work! Communication is such a key part of life as human beings. We’re incredibly social animals, and the ability to communicate with others is central to building relationships, learning from each other, and participating in our interests. Learning a new language can open up possibilities to communicate with people we may not have otherwise had the opportunity too. This is great for our personal development - it keeps our brains young, and socially brings new friendships into our lives. I’d personally recommend learning Sign Language as it’s a truly fascinating mode of communication and there are so many online resources and videos available for free to get you started!

Be helpful

This can be easier said than done when we’re tired or not feeling our best, but if you find small opportunities to help people, it’ll give you a much needed boost of hormones to make us feel good about ourselves! It never hurts to be kind. Try looking out if you can hold doors for people, or carry something for someone, or help with clearing up. Kindness never goes unnoticed.

Volunteer

Everyone has their own way that they can benefit the community. The volunteers at our charity have chosen to focus on children and young people as we believe instilling kindness at young ages can help these future leaders achieve their goals and build kindness throughout society. There's always room for kindness in everyone's life, how can you make kindness routine in yours? Here I’d like to highlight our campaigns and ask you to donate, if you’re interested in getting involved! And, if you're interested in volunteering with us, please email info@bekindmovement.co.uk. If you don't have the capacity to donate, that's okay!

Please help us achieve our goals by completing a kindness act - give someone a compliment, write someone a thank you note, reach out to someone for a chat… Anything you can think of.

Peace and kindness are intrinsically connected so please, be kind to each other, and be kind to yourself.