Spreading kindness through words and art
- Written by: Tommy Whitelaw — Project Lead
- Published: 20th March 2020
Carer Voices Project Lead Tommy calls upon the role of the whole community in spreading kindness during this time.
Whilst caring for my mum beautiful mum, Joan who was living with vascular dementia, loneliness and isolation was a constant in our lives. The uncertainty and fear was present in the blogs I would write and within the letters I would receive from others.
During that time, the kindness of people made all the difference. As I first shared on my personal blog (this link will take you away from our website) I will always remember the District Nurse who put her arm around me to say “you are not alone” or the Speech and Language Therapist who dropped by our home after work just to check-in and offer her help. It wasn’t something they had to do but chose to do. These acts of kindness stay firmly in my heart and are a part of the foundations of my work with the Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland and my talks.
In a matter of days, the world has become a profoundly stressful place amid the COVID-19 outbreak. It is normal to be feeling stressed, anxious and scared right now. In fact, many of us may be feeling more lonely and anxious now than ever before and we will certainly be more socially isolated. Kindness has never mattered more its seems as it does today.
Over the last few days, I have watched people I do not know and organisations near and far adapting to keep kindness at the forefront. It has been encouraging and inspiring. This is a time to spread kindness and thanks in many different ways and this can still be done from a distance.
With the schools now being closed, I think it would be a great idea if young people were to spread kindness to those who have been deemed as key workers and in need of social connection such as our unpaid carers, NHS healthcare professionals, care at home teams and community members in care homes. The guidance on the UK Government website makes clear who has deemed as a key worker (this link will take you away from our website).
I would like to ask our school kids and their families to take some time to design posters, art, write words and poetry for people within their communities via social media and email. At times like these, appreciation and social connection can make all the difference.
As Project Lead of the Carer Voices project, I’d be happy to assist in making these connections with health and social care professionals in particular. You can tag us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use the #CarerVoices20 to share support and give thanks to organisations and individuals who are keeping us safe and well.
Take some time to share your gift of kindness. I’m reminding you that you matter. You are not alone. You are beautiful. You are remarkable.
You can send by email to carervoices@alliance-scotland.org.uk
Tag us in on twitter at @ALLIANCECarerVo
Use #CarerVoices20
Thank you
Tommy
End of page.
You may also like:
Self Management Network Scotland member Caroline Brocklehurst tells us what she needs to take the lead in managing her health.
Continue readingMar Sánchez Fernández reflects on the importance of collaboration between the third sector and academia.
Continue readingReflecting on key messages from the ACRC Symposium.
Continue readingCould parkrun make you or your community healthier and happier?
Continue readingGrace Beaumont looks to the Principles of Self Management as inspiration for this year’s Self Management Week awareness raising activity.
Continue readingNan McKay Community Hall is a welcoming space in Pollokshields where community, health, and wellbeing come together.
Continue readingLouise shares her thoughts on the need for a statutory right to lifelong, independent advocacy.
Continue readingALISS is supporting GCHSCP's work to help people live independent lives by connecting them to support in their local community.
Continue readingKairos Women+ share the vital foundations of their creative anti-stigma work with women.
Continue readingToo many carers simply cannot make ends meet, but a Minimum Income Guarantee could be the solution.
Continue readingNational Stalking Awareness Week 2025, from 21-25 April, will focus on healthcare professionals spotting the signs of stalking.
Continue readingCOPE Scotland have developed a suite of resources to rebuild confidence and self-belief, crucial components of mental wellbeing.
Continue readingCuts to disability payments by the UK government are all the more worrying for lack of information on devolution impacts in Scotland.
Continue readingTo improve outcomes for children and young people, we must consider how we can build on GIRFEC for the future.
Continue readingHow funding community-led participatory creative projects can shine a light on intersectional stigma
Maeve reflects on the Anti-Stigma Arts fund and how community-led projects can lead the way in tackling stigma.
Continue readingThe role of museums in promoting community engagement, health, and education was a major theme of the discussions throughout the day.
Continue readingAt the ALLIANCE we believe that accessibility is a gateway to human rights.
Continue readingLorraine Glass, Director at respectme, reflects on the vital work they do to reduce bullying and improve wellbeing.
Continue reading“Before, when I thought about what happened, something inside me was stuck. Now, after sharing my story I feel lighter, and more free”.
Continue readingSustainable funding can unlock the transformative power of creative engagement for tackling stigma.
Continue readingTo build a positive culture of human rights, everyone needs to know and be aware of their rights.
Continue readingEveryone deserves a safe and affordable home - Scotland must act now to make housing a human right for all.
Continue reading'What Matters to You?' is a question that transforms live through kindness and compassion. Read the story of Napier House in Fife.
Continue readingHuman rights are the path to a fairer, stronger Scotland; each step we take today helps to shape our future.
Continue readingThe Charter of Rights for People who live with and experience issues around substance use is about to be launched.
Continue reading