To ask you what difference you've made to the world?

[Tinytomato2]

Been watching 'It's a wonderful life' and have been inevitably wondering if the lives of my families and friends would be any different if I had never existed. It's really hard to imagine but it makes you think about the impact you've had in your life. If it's not too much naval gazing for a Thursday night - what impact - big or small - do you think or hope you have had on those around you?

Worked on the development of a series of products which have vastly improved animal welfare and extended pet's lives as well as their quality of life. The human-animal bond is massively important for a lot of people, so I like to think that in a small and indirect way, I have improved many thousands of people's lives by keeping their pets with them for longer.

I thought of It's A Wonderful Life as soon as I saw your thread title.

"When a man (or woman)'s not around, he leaves an awfully big hole, doesn't he?" I think it's not just about whether you've had kids or whether your job gives you a sense of worth, which is obviously all good. It's about the smaller interactions, person to person stuff, what makes the world go round etc - all the kind of things on this thread - that's what makes a difference, IMHO.

Genuinely nothing. I'm good for a favour and try to help people but I certainly wouldn't be missed or remembered outside a very small circle of family.

Trustee of a local children's charity that raised £250,000.
I run a FB group that supports members through an incredibly rare but life changing operation.

I was my late father's sword and shield in a world that didn't care about him, not bragging, it was a great honor to support him. Now I just try to leave everyone I meet with a little kindness.

I really try hard to be kind to strangers and help people when they are in a fix
I try to listen to people and hear them

I try and fix my faults

But I am also a bitch sometimes

I have made a lot of scary events less scary for people and even saved some lives (not alone, but without me it may well not have happened). But I’m most proud of bringing up two wonderful resilient children.

I'm just another descendant/ancestor in a long line of descendants and ancestors.

ravingstarfish I’m sorry you feel like that.

I met a guy when I was a teenager who felt like that. I gave him a gift when he was poorly, but later he died and went into a pauper grave. 20 years later, I still miss him and his smile.

My job is essentially to help children breathe or breathe more easily.

I think it makes a massive difference even if its quite a niche thing. Its the very best job ive ever had the privilege to do.

Charity trustee.
Work with adults and children under incredibly stressful circumstances.
Mother, wife, daughter and friend.

I like to hope I've made a difference.

Along with family and friend interactions

I trained on a community development and health programme in deprived areas in a major northern town.

Probably about 120 people altogether came through the course. Most said it changed their lives. I am still in contact with about 10 of them who went from claiming benefits, to training to earning good salaries. New careers include drug counselling, nursing, social work - all to degree level and all people who left school without GCSEs.

I've done other things too, including training care home managers to manage their staff not just the home but the community training is what gives me the most satisfaction workwise

Not a jot. Nobody would have been anyway better or worse for my absence and it doesn't bother me at all.

On a small level I’ve made people feel better when they’ve had a bad day. I’ve given people efficient friendly service. I’ve reassured nervous patients before dental treatment.

On a larger scale I’ve made life changing decisions impacting others-some will be happy, others less so.

I’ve influenced how professionals I work with and students I’ve mentored treat patients. I know because several have said that in adifficult situation they always ask themselves what I’d say or do.
I’ve supported staff through depression, suicidality and illness.
I’ve helped mental health patients take charge of their own recovery and choose their path/ support (again, they’ve told me this made a huge difference).
I’m dh’s conscience.
I help my very caring dd support her friends.
I’m always there for my dc when they need to talk things through.
I’ve stopped a few homeless people (friends of my big issue seller) being beaten up, and escorted some to hospital for treatment when they were scared to go.

Oh, and I reported my rape to the police. Not straight away (a lot going on in my head) and unfortunately not until I found out he’d tried again with someone else and she wasn’t going to report either. The delay meant no evidence, my motives for reporting and the truth of my experience were questioned and the court case was the worst experience of my life, but my decision led the second victim to also report hers and whilst he got not guilty in my case he was sentenced for the assault on her, so hopefully we saved someone else.

I’ve been a teacher for 30 years, so I imagine I’ve had some effect. In fact I know I have, because former students tell me so. I’m not a hero or anything, I just did my job and cared about the kids.
I also have a wonderful DD who works for a charity supporting victims of crime, so through her I’m having a legacy effect.
I think we all make a difference to be honest.

Saved a couple of lives and taught a lot of people to do the same.

Helped get rid of bad police officers, ensured they received what they were due, and improved standards. Also helped defend officers who were just doing their job.

I'm an Older Adults Social Worker so I can get a lot of stick from service users and family members but yesterday I got a hug and a kiss from one of my service users, a 91 year old lady with dementia (a very long drawn out complex case that is going to court). She reminds me a lot of my beloved late grandma and her hug and kiss was just like being with my grandma for a split second and it meant the world to me. So I think she helped me as much as I have helped her.

To all the teachers here- you made a difference (especially you, Mrs Shackleton, if you’re here!)

I keep an older, very lonely widow, happy and company. She’s no relation to me, she has a family but they are largely absent. I call her, and she tells me the same stories every time. I go out of my way to ask her opinion even though I know the answer.
Because it matters to her.

Professionally, I work in a medical allied professional, and help prevent devastating medical conditions.

I've worked all my life as a mental health nurse with very traumatised adults and then more recently, teens. I now work in an attachment team with parents and babies on the edge of removal. I like to think I've helped to prevent suicide at times and just sitting and being with people in their distress is life changing in my opinion.

I've worked on mass grave crime scenes excavating murder victims and helped gather forensic evidence to help convict the murderers.

Also rescued two stray cats from a tough life and brought them back to the UK.

Having my gorgeous dd...

You're a amazing bunch