People invited to complete kindness pledge

STUART PIKE

PEOPLE are being invited to perform ‘acts of kindness’ to help tackle loneliness and social isolation.

Rossendale council is launching its Acts of Kindness campaign – through its Living Well, Living Better project – on Monday, July 24.

As part of the campaign, people are encouraged to perform one act of kindness in their local community that might help others feel less lonely or socially isolated, or just make someone’s day by offering to help in some way.

An Act of Kindness can be very small but will make a huge difference.

You could, for example, offer to put someone’s bin out for them; have a cup ●● Rossendale councillor Barbara Ashworth of tea with a neighbour or friend you haven’t seen for a while or simply just say ‘hello’ to a neighbour.

A ‘Kindness Pledge Tree’ will be in place on launch day from 10am at Haslingden Community Link, and then in locations across Rossendale during the campaign, on which people can display their acts of kindness for others to see and get inspiration from.

The Acts of Kindness campaign is part of wider work by the council to tackle loneliness and isolation among local residents. Other work includes the development of neighbour networks.

The council’s Living Well, Living Better project was launched at the end of 2015. It aims to reach more people in the community, understand their individual circumstances and support them into services and sociable activities in the community.

Coun Barbara Ashworth, Rossendale council’s portfolio holder for health and housing, encouraged everyone to get involved.

She said: “This is a fantastic campaign that has a dual benefit. Performing an act of kindness will make you feel good as well as the person on the receiving end.

“It’s good for your health as kindness decreases stress, depression and your blood pressure and increases serotonin – the feel good chemical that will help to improve your happiness and wellbeing. I’d encourage everyone to get involved and let’s get a feel-good factor going in Rossendale.”

Have you been inspired to get involved in this project? Why not tell us about your acts of kindness?

Let us know what you have been doing, and send us a photo.

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