Research shows that being kind makes us happier and, as we move into Spring, what better way to improve our happiness than by incorporating more kindness into our lives?
Local charity, Kent Coast Volunteering, shares some ideas for finding your own acts of kindness in Ramsgate.
- Support Food Banks – Food banks rely on the generosity of others and you can donate much needed items or your time to help support the work they do.
Get in touch with Ramsgate food banks at:
- Family Food Bank, Pie Factory Music, Ramsgate Youth Centre, High Street, St Lawrence, CT11 0QG Tel: 01843 596 998
- Family Food Bank, Newlands Childrens Centre, Dumpton Lane, CT11 7AJ Tel: 03000 411 042
- The Salvation Army, 167 High Street, CT11 9TT Tel: 07901 38 33 81
- Our Kitchen, 19 Broad Street, CT11 8QY and find them on Facebook or follow them on social media to find out which items to donate or how you can use your time to help the team.
- Befriending – Become a befriender and help older people avoid loneliness and isolation. Volunteers are interest matched with older people and it’s a great way to make new friends and offer valuable support. Telephone befriending is also available and, if you have a bit more free time, how about becoming an Assisted Shopping Befriender? Ramsgate opportunities are currently available at Age UK Thanet (www.ageuk.org.uk/thanet) and with Kent Coast Volunteering Befriending Service (www.kcv.org.uk/become-a-befriender)
- Mentoring – Help support a young person in care, help develop life skills, communication and confidence. Mainly, the role is to have fun! Find out more about mentoring opportunities with The Young Lives Foundation (www.ylf.org.uk), Action for Children (www.actionforchildren.org.uk) and Coram Voice (www.coramvoice.org.uk)
- Tutoring – Brilliant at Maths? Phenomenal at Physics? Bi-lingual? The Access Programme supports students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access top universities and are looking for volunteers to tutor young people aged 14-18 online for one hour a week in term time. No prior teaching or tutoring experience necessary. For more information visit www.theaccessproject.org.uk
- Community Cafes – These friendly teams are usually volunteer led and a great way to learn new skills, make friends and support your local community. Try Ramsgate Friends of Ellington Park. Find them on Facebook.
- Be Prepared! – 6th Ramsgate Royal Harbour Sea Scout group are currently seeking volunteers for the roles of Administrator and Assistant Treasurer. Find out more at www.6thramsgateseascouts.org.uk
- Volunteer driver – Offer your driving skills to help people who are unable or find it difficult to access public transport. Organisations will often reimburse costs at a fixed mileage rate. Find out more at www.kcv.org.uk/become-a-driver/
- Bee the Change – Help save bumblebees and make your local area more bumblebee friendly. For tips and advice together with free how to guides and resources, visit www.bumblebeeconservation.org/beethechange/
- Puppy Raising – Provide a puppy with a vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. For more information contact www.guidedogs.org.uk
- Support your Local Team – Ramsgate Football Club is seeking volunteers to help steward and manage car parks on match days. A great opportunity to meet people, get outdoors and enjoy the buzz of the beautiful game. To find out more contact volunteering@kcv.org.uk
- Gardening & Green Spaces – Benefit from outdoor exercise, fresh air and the joy of growing by volunteering your gardening skills. Opportunities currently available at Friends of Ellington Park. Find them on Facebook.
- Conservation – Our corner of Kent is blessed with beautiful countryside and the coast and there are lots of opportunities to be involved with the teams who look after these wonderful open spaces. If you enjoy helping wildlife and like to be out in the fresh air, check out Monkton Nature Reserve, Kent Wildlife Trust or Thanet Coast Project or contact volunteering@kcv.org.uk
- Litter pick – A fantastic and easy way to improve the cleanliness of the area and make a positive difference in your community. Invest in your own litter picker and tidy up the street where you live or join a group event such as the Ramsgate Litter Picks.
- Take the photo – We’ve all seen somebody trying to get everyone in the photo frame for a selfie. Offer to take the picture for them!
- Declutter – Make time to have a sort out and rehome those items you no longer use or need. Donate to your local charity shop (they may collect larger items) or list items on apps such as Freecycle or Gumtree.
- Pay a compliment – The ultimate free kindness! A few words – ‘I love your dress!’, ‘Fabulous shoes’ – are guaranteed to lift someone’s day.
- Write a postcard – Let someone know you’re thinking of them. So much more meaningful than a text message!
- Clean up – if you have a friend who has a lot on, offer to pop round and vacuum the carpets. One less job for them and a dose of kindness feel good for you.
- Drive kindly – Be patient, wave thank you to other drivers, allow pedestrians to cross. Our roads are so busy, let’s make using them a safer and nicer experience for us all.
- Offer to help – If someone looks like they could do with a hand carrying the heavy bag, lifting the pram onto the bus, reaching for an item at the supermarket, ask if you can help. Do what you can to make somebody else’s day a little bit easier.
For further information about these or other opportunities:
Written by:
Kent Coast Volunteering