Shaping a kinder future
It’s fair to say the Covid-19 pandemic has been tough, but one positive that’s come out of it is the importance of our wellbeing and compassion. From morning workouts to shopping for elderly neighbours, we’ve all come together to be kinder to both ourselves and others.
This resonates with us here at Leeds City College, since we’re all about offering support and making a difference. That’s why we’re proudly partnering with Kinder Leeds to launch Kinder Colleges – an inspirational campaign that encourages everyone to get active in the local community and ultimately become champions of kindness.
Being kinder
As part of the campaign, we’ve identified six key themes of kindness:
Kinder to Self
It’s important to look after your own health and wellbeing, so we’ve included some resources to help you along the way:
- Mind UK: Five Ways to Wellbeing – manage your own wellbeing with simple steps, researched and developed by Devon Partnerships along with New Economics Foundation
- The Sleep Charity: Sleep Hygiene – achieve better health, sleep and overall wellbeing by adjusting your daily routine
- Public Health England: Better Health – get helpful advice on how to adopt a healthier lifestyle
- One You Leeds: https://oneyouleeds.co.uk/ get tips on stopping smoking, healthy cooking, weight management, exercise and more
- Mindwell: Week of Kindness planner – use Mindwell’s weekly planner for tips on being kinder to yourself every day
Kinder to the Planet
By being kinder to the planet, we can all enjoy a happier, healthier environment. Here’s some resources to get you started:
- The Conservation Volunteers – get involved in bringing people together to create and care for green spaces
- Wessex Water: 3 ways to reduce the climate impact of your water usage – discover ways to save water, use less energy and more
- Green Match: 30 Ways to Be More Eco-Friendly – get tips on how to be more environmentally friendly in all aspects of life
- WWF: Join the Fight Against Plastic Pollution – see how you can do your bit to reduce plastic use and protect wildlife
Kinder Relationships
Being kind to each other helps us build better relationships, leading to improved wellbeing. Find out more by checking out these resources:
- Kindness UK: Acts of Kindness – lists hundreds of kind acts you can perform to support nature, the wider community and environment
- Age UK: Random Acts of Kindness – Age UK shares ideas on how to help elderly people in your community
- Mental Health Foundation: Kindness Matters Guide – get a better understanding of what it means to be kind to each other and how it improves wellbeing
- NHS:
- Helping Others With Mental Health Problems – learn how to help friends or family struggling with mental health
- Every Mind Matters: take the quiz to receive your own personalised mind plan to help with your overall wellbeing
Kinder Business
Whether you’re a local business owner or want to support businesses in your area, we’ve listed helpful articles on how to become more sustainable:
- The Guardian: 7 Reasons to Shop Locally – The Guardian presents the best reasons to stay local
- The Youth Group: The Why & How of Promoting Kindness in Business – gain valuable advice on how to make your business a ‘kind’ environment
- Principality – How to Support Small and Local Businesses in Your Community – discover all the ways you can support businesses on your doorstep
- TEDx Talks: Kindness and Business Are a Powerful Combination – see the great results kinder businesses can harness
Kinder Communities
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of community – below you’ll find a few ideas on how you can get involved in your local area:
- Help Guide: Benefits of Volunteering – an essential guide if you’re thinking of volunteering your time for a good cause
- Do IT: Database of UK Volunteering Opportunities – the best place to find your next volunteering role
- OneFamily: Six Ways to Help the Community – be inspired to help others around you with this helpful list
- Save the Children: 12 Ways to Help Others in Your Community Who May Be Hit Hardest by Covid-19 – find out more about helping those who are really in need
Kinder Spaces
Getting out in nature, sleeping well and setting up a good workspace at home can have huge effects on our wellbeing:
- Mental Health Foundation: Thriving with Nature – highlights the importance of nature to our wellbeing
- Yorkshire Dales: Guide to Health & Happiness – be inspired to get out amongst the beautiful countryside to give yourself a boost
- The Sleep Charity: Sleep Environment – learn how to create the perfect sleeping environment
- Calm Moment: Creating Meditation Space at Home – get advice on setting up a quiet meditation space to relax and unwind in
- Working from Home: read this helpful article on how to set up the perfect study space. You’ll also find useful information on this poster – including setting a routine and making daily to-do lists
We’re encouraging everyone to be kinder and would love for you to share your efforts with us.
Tag #kindercolleges on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn to show us what you’re up to.
