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

[BlackeyedSusan]

someone at church has been shopping for us, and half of church. has been delivering between houses. (birthday cards etc) and has bought cakes/donuts for thise who are on their own/shielding.

[Adarajames]

I’ve set up and been coordinating the local volunteer mutual aid group; we’ve had a great response for volunteers and have been supporting around 100 households where people are shielding, delivering shopping, medication, and for VE Day 100 cream teas! I don’t actually live in the village I’m supporting, but now I know 100s of people here ready for when I move here later this / next year.

[minceandpotatoes]

On my way to work I saw that someone had left a tray of little cactus plants by their front gate with a sign saying 'Please take a free cactus to cheer up your day'. They did look very cheerful with their red flower and it made me smile.

[TheModicum]

I know someone who's offering free yoga classes every morning on zoom, so that people can start their day with some exercise and calming breathing practice. She emails a video of the class out to anyone who can't make it to the live one. I really wish I had the skills to do something similar!

[Realitea]

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

Me and my friends check in on each other by message. We've gone through ups and downs and it's comforting to know we can share what we're feeling and get support from each other. My family have created a whatsapp group to share photos and messages too.

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

There is a group on facebook for the community where everyone is amazing. If anyone reaches out for help, there's always a reply within minutes. I've picked up prescriptions and medication for people and one lovely lady delivered milk to me when my family were isolating. I appreciated it so much and it feels good to pay it back by helping others.

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

No one I know needs special care.

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

I was impressed with Halifax for helping me out by giving me a break in payments on the credit card! It was really easy to set up.

[IlsaLund]

I’m a teacher and when I was working in the hub school two teenage brothers who live next door to the school came and washed all our cars while we were in work.
Very much appreciated as mine was filthy.

[Asuwere]

I'm just amazed at how friendly people are being in general. In an area where most people are out working and barely even say hi to neighbours and keep themselves to themselves, people are now asking how you are and if anyone needs anything and even cutting their neighbours lawns when doing their own.

[ButterflyOfFreedom]

Oh gosh, so many acts of kindness!

Neighbourhood support groups, clap for key workers, letter writing to family far away, gifts left on doorsteps, lots of random zoom/ WhatsApp video calls, raising money for charity....

I definitely sense more community spirit and people being kinder. Even little things like people being more courteous & polite, respectful of the rules & personal space etc.

[ChimpsInClothes]

My DH has been baking cakes every week and sharing them about. He's worked all through lockdown, very long hours.
As well as sharing his bakes with colleagues he's also made special drop-offs to an elderly lady who lives by herself.

I've been ordering craft kits online for children in the extended family, but having them delivered direct to their houses, hopefully it's been a nice little surprise on boring days for them.

We bought a cordless lawn mower so are able to cut the grass of an elderly relative without having to go into their house. Also means we can check up on them without them feeling patronised.

[DuckingMel]

I always appreciate it when someone makes room for me on the pavement, so I don't need to step into the street or in a ditch. It's only happened a few times, though and mostly it's me making way for others.

[BeneathTheMilkyTwilight]

A woman from our neighbourhood facebook group gave me her delivery slot when my husband was ill and we were isolating. It was such a kind thing to do and helped so much.

[sashh]

A big shout out to Iceland.

I'm disabled and I've shopped online with Tesco for years, I had one delivery at the start of lockdown but I can't get another.

Tesco allow you to book several deliveries.

Iceland have started delivering earlier, release slots every day and have really saved me. They also do not allow you to book more than one delivery.

I do have a carer but we cut his days down to 1 a week and he doesn't drive so getting food delivered has been critical.

My brother and I are both 100+ miles away from my dad, my cousin and his wife have taken on myt dad's shopping along with shopping for a few other people.

[Quietvoiceplease]

It is the so many small acts of kindness. It is people having the chance to say 'i need help' and other rallying to help. To see everyone's humanity. It is the street whatsapp group where people who are shielding can ask for help, and others are so swift to run errands. It is the strange requests to borrow items that can no longer be bought but which someone also has and is so happy to share. It is the cooking meals, offers to help, prayers for the family with young children whose mum was struck down with a stroke in lockdown. It is the couple who wear huge dinosaur costumes for their evening walk and announce their route each day so people can wave at them as they go past. It is all these things and more. It is like a tsunami of kindness, where everyone's needs (at least in my street) are being met. Our whatsapp mantra is that 'no one will go hungry or lonely". I hope we never lose this sense of connectivity.

[motorcyclenumptiness]

Neighbours who have been mowing verges and green spaces, local supermarket people who have been unwaveringly kind and cheerful during these scary times, a teacher who has set out a 'safari' around the town for her pupils ... so many acts of kindness

[musicposy]

It’s the small things that have made a huge difference to me. I’ve been very ill for a couple of months with probable Covid so unable to go out and shop. The amazing things have been -

The pharmacy dropping my medication round for me. A volunteer is doing this. I was so grateful to him. I hope he knows what a difference he’s making.

My brother has had the Tesco website open almost 24/7 and is refreshing every 5 mins. He’s managed to get me a home delivery slot every 2 weeks like clockwork.

Same brother did a huge £100 food shop for DD who is stuck at uni. He was worried she wasn’t eating and sent her the most amazing goodies, stuff she’d never normally buy herself as a student.

My sister contacts me every time she goes shopping, asks what I need and drops it round even though she lives 10 miles away.

I will never, ever forget their kindness throughout this.

[Ragwort]

I am involved with our local Food Bank and we have been overwhelmed with donations - both food and money - people have been incredibly generous. Some people have also given homemade cakes and biscuits, eggs from their chickens, fruit and veg from allotments etc. its been really heart warming. A couple of rough sleepers were housed by the local council - but given no furniture etc - after just one appeal we were able to set them up in their new homes.

[Iwantcollarbones]

I’m a community carer. Some families have been putting out large bottles of hand moisturiser for our poor suffering hands which is very much appreciated by us all. We’ve also had neighbours of the people we are caring for knock when we are there to see if they need anything or wether we want our cars washed.
And people seem to smile more which, quite frankly, is the warmest act of kindness coming at the end of a 15 hour day.

[Serin]

There is so much kindness out there.
Right at the start of this our local primary school realised they had no kids to care for so they grouped together and put cards through the letterboxes of every door offering to help in anyway they can.
Amazing!
If I win the £100 voucher I would like it to be given to the Trussell Trust instead. Thanks.

[lillypopdaisyduke]

My muslim neighbours are leaving home made food parcels for the local sheltered housing complex, which I think is so heartwarming.

[Gingerkittykat]

My cat died during lockdown and my friend sent me a lovely tree to plant in his memory.

A local group has been set up to help the vulnerable in the area. They provide food parcels, help those isolating by shopping for them, have a clothing and education bank, remember people's birthdays and provide a listening ear.

[SnowyMouse]

I'm getting 4 phone calls a week from my MH team, feels like they're going above and beyond.

[wellingtonsandwaffles]

Our local youth club raised over £800 for local food parcels.

A man on a walk threw an entire bag of bread to DS and me out of his Flat window when we ran out and were feeding ducks!

[DeRigueurMortis]

I live in a village of around 3k people.

According to the coordinator of the local hub she has had over 900 villagers who have signed up to help through the council volunteer scheme.

That means shopping, collecting prescriptions and daily phone calls to those members of our community who are isolating.

I'm one and have been helping an elderly lady whose lived all her life in the village. Tbh I've got more out of it than I've given - I've learned so much from her about the history of the village through our daily phone calls and socially distanced chats when I drop off shopping.

In addition the local gardening club have been offering to cut the grass/do weeding etc for elderly villagers.

The WI have been making "meals on wheels" for vulnerable members of the community and funding it themselves.

In short the community has pulled together and it's wonderful to witness and one good thing to come of this is that I think we will see a continuation of this going forward.

[Whenasuitcasejustwontdo]

A street near me have set up their gardens to have a scarecrow trail surrounded by flowers, to make up for someone saying they were upset to miss the Chelsea Flower Show. It's a street that has many passers-by so many people have had the chance to enjoy it. It's such a kind lovely thing to do for the community.

[Sertchgi123]

We are shielding. Our Muslim neighbours brought us three carrier bags full of groceries, without being asked and not wanting any money. Our other neighbours, again Muslim, brought us a lamb biryani and a lemon yoghurt dessert, yesterday.

I'm making both families a cake today to take round later.