What acts of kindness have you seen during lockdown?

[YanaMumsnet]

Despite the struggles we’re all facing, we’ve seen some wonderful moments that have brought people together: families sending each other gifts, friends hosting online quizzes, neighbours picking up food for those stuck at home and can’t get a delivery slot.

Yes, it can be tough. But it’s those little moments that show our spirit. We’re curious to hear from you about any acts of kindness that you’ve seen and find the areas that people might be struggling with the most.

So we are asking you:
How have you or your family been supporting each other through these times? (Especially if you’re looking after elderly relatives.) Have you seen anybody reach out to someone in need? What did they do and how? If you or anyone close to you needs special care, how are they getting it? Which organizations or brands have you seen going out of their way, if any? What have they done?

We’d love to hear all your inspiring stories, so share them in the thread below. All MNers who post with their experience will be entered into a prize draw where one will win a £100 voucher for a store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Terms and conditions apply

[BristolMum96]

I'm liking to see on our local 'Spotted in:X' Facebook page that a few people have been posting about their struggles and troubles lately and the flurry of responses from the local community has been immense.

[WarmCinnamonZoflora]

The local mutual aid groups have been incredible, helping all and everyone. Also a social centre, which I won't name as it will give my location away, but they have been delivering stuff to all who need it. And our local paper has been mucking in, a very lefty local paper in a lovely part of London, so I expect nothing less.

[Sleepybumble]

I have been sheilding away from my husband as he is a frontline NHS employee. A group of new friends have been wonderful, they've left us gifts, their kids have drawn pictures for us. They have sent activities for our daughter. They have been incredible. I absolutely love them and lockdown has made me realise how lucky I am to have met these lovely people.

[dragonicicle]

I work as a doctor and the donations to the hospital have been incredible. From free ice creams on hot days to free moisturiser for all those dry hands! We can't thank the general public enough for their kindness.

I think the kindest people have been in the hotel I've lived in however - I've been left little notes signed by hotel staff thanking me for my hard work and hoping my night shifts went well when they've seen me leave for the evening. We've also had some macarons delivered last weekend which was amazing. Everyone has gone above and beyond to look after us and it's been so kind.

On a more personal level, people have rallied around my grandparents to support them as they shield. It's been a huge relief to know their shopping is taken care of and they have had phone calls from many to check in with them.

[Katesmate123]

We live on a street that has created a WhatsApp group. We didn’t know any of our neighbours before the end of March but now there is a hub of people who shop for each other, walk dogs, give out masks, arrange quizzes, bake cakes and everything and anything else that helps! A lot of other streets have done the same and it’s really helped people that are shielding or that live alone away from family.

[APeakyBlinder]

Someone left little potted pansies on the doorstep of every house on my road (and it's a long road!), no idea who did it but really lifted my spirits at a time it was needed

[IFeelTheNeedTheNeedForSleep]

My mum lost my dad a few years ago so is now stuck at home during lockdown alone. She hates the thought of anyone else being alone without help or anyone being hungry so she has spent her days cooking meals and baking treats for elderly neighbours or neighbours who are alone and delivering to their doorstep. Despite the fact she's alone herself and is stuck at the other end of the country and it even able to meet her new grandchild, her first thought has always been for others and it's been so gratefully received.

[Ingridla]

My opposite neighbours washed my filthy dirty car for me. I'd never even spoken to them before. I live in South london, not the most neighbourly culture as a rule so it felt amazingly kind.

[Ingridla]

should add, I did offer them some money but they wouldn't have it so I bought them some beer!

[jacqui5366]

My eldest son (15) has been mowing our neighbours garden with a push lawn mower, he won't take any money, but is delighted with the cakes they make for him. The don't need to come out doors as everything is done at a social distance.

[pushchairprincess]

My friend has set up a facebook group offering to go shopping for those who cannot, pick up prescriptions, although I cannot leave my children to help, I have been overwhelmed by the number of local people offering their time and transport to help our vulnerable community, she collected my on-line order last week when I simply could not leave the house - doesn't this just bring out the best in people

[Ashhead24]

Where I am someone who owns lots of character costumes has been wearing them for his daily exercise and walking to sing to kids on their birthdays.

Most people I know are doing the shopping for their elderly relatives as well.

[GriseldaChop]

I read on Facebook yesterday that one of our local pharmacists had spoken to an elderly person on the phone sorting their medication, the elderly person had been upset and lonely as has no family. The pharmacist arranged for a basket of fruit to be delivered to them. I thought it was a lovely gesture from somebody who is in the frontline and no doubt working really hard.

[Lifesbetterwithwine]

A good friend left freshly baked bread and chocolate brownies on my doorstep the other day, which was such a lovely surprise. Neighbours have started a foodbank collection on ‘clap for carers’ Thursdays. You’re asked to leave out a couple of food items at the end of your drive after the clap, and they collect them and deliver to a local foodbank. Such a good idea.

[sharond101]

There is a group going around our area leaving sweets at doors who have a rainbow in the window.

[fishnships]

Along with many others I really appreciate all the rainbows, teddies and other decorations in windows that show people care. It feels that we are linked more closely as a result of this and it is heartwarming to see!

[Devlesko]

My friend needed her front wall painting, so she bought the paint and before doing her own she did her adjoined neighbours as she didn't want one to look worse than the other.
She has cooked tea and breakfast for an infirm neighbour (other side) every day since before Lockdown and takes it in to her everyday, she is no relation to the woman.
If this wins I would give my friend the money for being such a good neighbour.

[CloeDee]

@YanaMumsnet
my family have their own construction business, during lockdown the construction industry was closed, instead of furloughing their staff they paid their staff to drive work vans around our local community, collecting and delivering shopping for the old and vulnerable, collecting and delivering medicine for old and vulnerable and lending a general helping hand to those struggling

[voyager50]

I lost my Nan at the beginning of the year and I had been clearing out her bungalow before lockdown and found the knitting she had been doing. It was an almost finished baby's cardigan which she was making for my sister's future child.

I got talking to my neighbour about it as she was knitting for the NHS and she offered to finish making the cardigan and even bought buttons for it.

My sister was so pleased that she now has something knitted by Nanny for when she has a baby and it was so kind of my neighbour to help when she was already busy knitting for charity.

[SylvanianFrenemies]

We are shielding. A neighbour left some seeds and pots, along with sweeties, at our doorstep for the kids. Another texts every time she is at the shops, asking if we need anything.

[spotlighton]

All our street have railed round and have a shopping and distanced door-stepped chatting rota for all the shielded/single mums/anyone who needs it. It's been a lifeline.

[Sharpandshineyteeth]

I am shielding due to stage 4 Cancer. I have a group of 4 friends who have been amazing throughout my diagnosis. Whenever I get some shit news they rally round and we end up having wine and laughs.

Obviously we can’t during the lockdown. I found out my cancer has spread to my spine, they were gutted they couldn’t come over. A few days later a got a post card with photos of amazing times we’ve had. It was a small thing but it cheered me up so much. I love them.

[BigcatLittlecat]

@voyager50 that is so beautiful!

[ScorpionQueen]

Two little boys on my road put a box of toys out for other children to help themselves. It was very kind.

[YesIDoLoveCrisps]

How have you or your family been supporting each other through these times? (Especially if you’re looking after elderly relatives.)

I always help my parents out (I owe them for being such a cow in my teenage years
During lockdown I have done their food shopping, picked up medicine etc.

• Have you seen anybody reach out to someone in need? What did they do and how?
  

I have seen so many acts of kindness. In our area people have put out extra food and drinks in their gardens with a note saying to help yourself. Neighbours have been taking parcels in for each other, sweeping each other’s paths, even cleaning each other’s cars. As WhatsApp group started to share information about anyone who might be in need of help - there’s an older lady that lives alone that someone now takes food to.
It’s truly amazing.

• If you or anyone close to you needs special care, how are they getting it?
  

Someone I know is poorly and is having help from a community nurse. This makes me even more grateful for the NHS.

• Which organizations or brands have you seen going out of their way, if any? What have they done?
  

Costa gave free drinks to the NHS workers. Tesco gave free flowers. All the companies that allowed key workers to shop at set times.