How can each individual improve the feeling of “society is a bit shit right now”?

[Limmers14]

I was reading the thread about how people are acting more aggressively and stressed and this has become very evident in the past year along likely caused by a feeling that British society generally, is deteriorating in many ways.

I’d like to try and bring back a feeling of pride in my local area and I thought this could be a thread to share ideas, where to source things, how to fix things - even if they’re just small things. We have to start somewhere.

For example, the street sign on my road is broken. I’ve reported it to the Council many times but it hasn’t been fixed. Where can I get a street sign? I also think planting loads of crocuses in my area on the verges would be nice. Where’s the best place to bulk buy and plant en masse? Things like that. I’d love to hear your ideas.

I’m sure people will come for me and say they have bigger issues than crocuses and yeah, you’re probably right, but if we all try to bring a little light into society, maybe areas will improve and our communities will be happier, leading to more positive outcomes for everyone. (That and voting the Conservatives out next year, obvs)

Can only post 3 pics so here is the rest of the group rules

I was taught that sometimes it's best to ask for permission and sometimes it's best to ask for forgiveness.

This feels like the latter to me as councils are notoriously difficult to get permission to do things from if it's 'out of the ordinary' and what you want to do isn't harming anyone and is a benefit to many.

I would just get on and do it.

Just be careful of any wildlife that may be nestled in the undergrowth.

Wow check out your privilege.

Why not donate to Rape Crisis, for example, instead?

Litter picking. I do my area of town.
I send reports to the council about flytips / items needing repair a few times a week

I litter pick as well and report flytipping so often I'm surprised the council hasn't given me a merit badge 😅Am also eyeing a tiny neglected scrap of garden outside some neighbouring flats.

Good to be confirmed GoodOldEmmaNess, I did wonder because of other things you had written but I was concerned that some would skip the humour and see it as a jolly good idea 😅

I agree with the doggy bags that it’s highly risky and one that definitely needs reporting to the council. Perhaps if people will report every time the councils will act to sort out - newspaper articles highlighting the nasty anti social behaviour is definitely not making a difference.

DH is rebuilding the play park in our village. I sit on several committees for community development and events. I'd say there will always be stuff you can volunteer for in your community.

Of course there will be - we'll not know the detail of what's going on in your local area though. Many "youth groups" would welcome you as a volunteer even if your 9yo isn't the target age. All of the above litter-pick / keep the town tidy / gardening kind of stuff. Foodbanks.

Bear in mind also that you can make a meaningful commitment to these kinds of community events / groups by doing admin or accounts, or running social media pages - which are hugely important but not necessarily needing a commitment at the same time eery week.

@PictureFrameWindow i was going to say the same as PP - there’s lots of volunteering that can be done at home when kids are in bed. Google volunteering in your local area and see what comes up.

I let 2 people in front of me today in Lidl yesterday. Was still unpacking and they only had 4 things each. Even if I am unpacked I let the odd person go in front . I noticed lots of people don't though. Someone had no change on the bus (10.00) and obviously no bank card and bus driver wouldn't let them on. I was behind and ended up paying for them. Only 2.00 and also was delaying the bus.

Be nice to people who serve you / members of the general public. They put up with a lot of crap for terrible pay.

I was in Ikea last week, and was behind an awful woman who was being very belittling to the cashier. The details aren't important but it was awful and verbally abusive, for absolutely no justifiable reason. She was just being a bully.

She finally left and I apologized on her behalf to the cashier. Her shoulder slumped and she just seemed so relieved to not have another difficult interaction. There's just no need for it. We had a bit of banter and both left with a smile.

On the way out, I walked past the bully struggling to get her large flatpack in to her car. She caught my eye, and was about to ask me to help. I just raised my eyebrows, said 'you reap what you sow' with gesture back towards the checkout, and kept on walking without looking back.

Every morning my 80yr old MIL goes out and sweeps the street in front of her house, then does the side street too, she’s an end-terrace so the side bit is quite long. She picks up any litter and if there’s any dog muck or vomit (she’s on a pub route) she will swill it all down with hot water.
I wish everyone would take the same responsibility and pride for their immediate front. I’ve always noticed in places like Spain that the shop keepers and bar owners will be out sweeping and swilling first thing on a morning.