Jack is bloomin marvellous!

Jack watering the giveaway sunflower pots

During the latest lockdown months, people have still been struggling with isolation, which in turn continues to effect the mental health of us all.  One young man has taken to his local streets in Longlevens with his Mum to help combat this, showing kindness and care for people and the surroundings.

After school on Monday afternoons, Jack and his Mum started 'Mindful Monday' sessions, to help their own mental health and others and to help make a difference to peoples' lives and the environment.

During the first Mindful Monday afternoon, Jack and his Mum knew there were some older and possibly isolated people living down their street. To help share hope and kindness, Jack created a few little pots of planted sunflower seeds with handwritten lovely labels with messages on them which said 'Here is a present to help you smile, love from Jack.' He rang the doorbell, left the pots on the doorstep and waited for their responses.

As you can imagine, the elderly people were so overwhelmed through this simple act of kindness/care and were especially touched when these presents came from a boy who was only 7yrs old.  '

‘When I saw the peoples' faces, it made me feel good and happy that they were happy too,' said Jack.

He then took to his local neighbourhood with his Mum and picked up litter from the park, bushes and streets during two separate trips.  In just 30 mins, he had collected 3 full bags from just two streets!     There are other children doing similar in the area and now talks are happening of safely combining people’s efforts to organise a bigger group litter pick in the future and connecting through this brilliant act of kindness.

As we know, showing kindness and care for people and the planet does make a difference.   Jack has proved that it can be simple and effective at the same time and can be done in various ways.   This also fights against low mental health by us getting out, doing good for others and connecting with our neighbourhoods.    

How can you show kindness and care to others around, even when we're still slowly coming out of lockdown?    What can you do today to bring a little hope?    

As Jack would say, “ If I can do it, then you can do it and its fun! “