Comedian in top 10 of UK’s happy people
A TEESSIDE mum-of-four who says she has “extreme happiness” has been named one of the happiest people in the UK by a national newspaper.
Shonette Bason-Wood, who is also a comedian and author, has been named by the Independent as the eighth happiest person in Britain.
Shonette, 46, who lives in Wynyard, manages the charity Spread the Happiness, which turns over £250,000 a year, and says she is taking the “happiness revolution” into classrooms across the country.
Speaking about her national “happiest person” accolade Shonette said: “I am really proud to have been recognised by the Independent.
“I do class myself as having extreme happiness. I love Mondays and I don’t long for holidays. I have gratitude for everything in my life.
“I have had challenges in my life having been divorced twice, but I am able to flip difficult situations with positive psychology and see the good in every situation.”
Shonette – a single mother to her four children; Jasmine, 22, Alice, 21, Ben, 20, and George, 18 – has also given her top tips for happiness.
Make a conscious decision to be happier and action it. Greet people with a smile and do what you say you will.
Go and do something for someone else. A giver feels more happiness than someone who receives.
Enjoy music and select a personal anthem which you can play to give yourself a boost.
Shonette was nominated for the Independent award by
SINGLE MUM PASSES ON HER TIPS FOR STAYING POSITIVE
K a r e n Grave, president of the PPMA (Public Services People Managers Association).
She said: “I first met Shonette at a conference
in Scotland
and was so blown away by her performance that I booked her for our annual PPMA conference and gala dinner, where she was our awards compere.
“She had a massive and long-lasting effect on the conference attendees.
“It was important to have the science of happiness and its impact on people, work and engagement bought to life for our leaders, and she was simply magic.
“She touched many of us on a deeply personal level.”
She added: “I am thrilled to bits that she features on the Independent’s list of happiest people in the UK.
“That list of about 50 people is a reminder there is profound good in the world and Shonette is a superstar.”
Shonette has toured the UK with her comedy act, and has also organised fundraising events and regular charity events in deprived areas.
Her early career was as a teacher, and she still teaches one day a week in a primary school.
After hearing about the holiday hunger crisis from teachers, Shonette took action and began fundraising in the region, where she has so far distributed more than 200 family hampers, called Happiness Hampers.
She is also in the process of setting up food banks in four Teesside schools.