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

[Sangi9875]

My husband despite looking after me and the three kids along with his 77-year-old father during the lockdown took the effort to help our elderly neighbors by going shopping for them every week. The husband next door cannot see and lost the ability to drive over 5 years ago and his poor wife struggles with her mobility. My husband refused to take money from them despite being furloughed himself.

[Kellymc89]

My father in law lives in Wolverhampton and he has been self isolated, his newish neighbours who they have only really ever said hello to knocked on his door in the week and offered to cut his grass for him, not only did he cut his grass he trimmed the branches on the trees and did all the weeding took him a couple of hours to do, then said if you need anything anytime lockdown or not you come and knock on my door. I think this shows unbelievable human kindness

[buckley1983]

Although this is a very frightening & uncertain time, it has inspired such kindness, generosity & selflessness - it really warms the cockles of your heart :)
I work in a homeless hostel & have been amazed at how the local community have been looking out for our residents during this time - dropping off deliveries of food, treats, books & magazines. These acts of kindness make a HUGE difference at any time, but particularly during the current crisis.

[locked2020]

One of the mums at dc school has been doing online keep fit zoom sessions for the kids so that classmates can see each other and do exercise.

[burwellmum]

I have been shopping for my shielding parents and supporting them remotely. Other relatives I have been talking to everyday to try to support their mental health.
Our village help scheme has been supporting vulnerable and ill people here. My parents' village support scheme has supported them and supplied treats such as a lovely Easter Sunday lunch and cream tea on the Friday Bank Holiday.
My parents have had good experiences with their food deliveries from Ocado.

[Witchend]

I've been working in a support hub, and have seen amazing outpourings of kindness and support. It's brought the best out in a lot of people.

On a personal level ds was taken in to hospital last week with appendicitis, and I had so many people offering help, and asking how he was. He got very embarrassed.

[TheQueenOfTheNight]

My son grew seedlings and had a plant sale to raise money for the NHS.

[NeedToKnow101]

I'm part of a WhatsApp group of a loose set of friends who mainly live in the same area. The group was started to organise a get together about a month before lockdown.
Since lockdown it has been the funniest, most supportive group ever. At first we just shared jokes and feelings. Then one member set a competition and dropped off a prize for the winner. Since then more and more creative and fun competitions have been set (by the previous winner) and prizes won, many laughs have been had, pictures shared, and if anyone is particularly vulnerable or feeling down, one of the group will call them or now visit (on the pavement). It has truly kept me going through lockdown and has had us in tears of laughter throughout, even amongst extreme sadness and personal traumatic events.

[MrsFrTedCrilly]

My friend has had a really tough year culminating In tripping on her stairs and breaking her leg during lockdown. She has two young children and her husband is NHS so shes alone with the kids a lot. She contacted a company enquiring about the sizing of their leggings as she wanted to see if they’d stretch over her cast, they sent her a free pair
I thought it was really kind and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer person. The company was called Lucy locket loves
locketloves.com

[swjaz]

Me and group of nearly 50 people have spent the last 8weeks making headbands, scrub bags,masks and mask extenders for nhs,carehome staff and key workers, we had so many people volunteer to help from people and local companies donating materials, hand creams and other toiletries, people sewing the bands,bags and masks to nhs volunteers delivering them to hospitals and care homes! we have been overwhelmed with everyones generosity !!

[ClientQ]

@MrsFrTedCrilly that's so lovely - I just bought a pair!

[CalmYoBadSelf]

I'm amazed by the positivity and kindness I've seen.

My 89 year old mother lives 50miles away but decided she would sooner remain in her own home for lockdown, shortly after this she received a shielding letter. Her neighbours have been amazing; people have brought her shopping, treats, flowers and passed on newspapers and books.

In the area I live there are groups of volunteers getting shopping, medicines and running errands for those unable to go out. It is a seaside town and heavily dependant on visitors so local restaurants are offering takeaway meal; B&Bs and hotels are delivering breakfasts and afternoon teas, all very fairly priced and some young entrepreneurs are offering delivery services at low cost. All are really pulling out the stops for key workers with one local Italian restaurant providing free food every Saturday, often contributed to by other businesses.

There are also local groups making masks, scrubs and bags for local key workers

[Patrickstarr]

We live in a flat and some of our neighbors have left activity books, colouring pencils and books in the communal area for the kids to take and us. They’ve also put a lot of work into our communal garden, putting up solar lights, adding benches and planting flowers. They’ve really helped to lift the mood

[TheCatServant]

Numerous examples of unselfish behaviour which actually makes be take heart that the world is not such a bad place after all.

A particular one which resonated with me was the teacher who organised a virtual party in half term for her class. As the parent of an only child who is struggling with the lack of seeing friends in person I thought this was going above and beyond.

[GlamGiraffe]

Sadly I live in an area not known for generous spirited neighbours, I dont understand their mindsets, they are all wealthy but everything they do is yo promote their own appearance to others . I have a serious health condition which makes going out almost impossible at the best of times and I can no longer be safely left alone this is obviously een more significant noew. We struggle to get food. Online slots ate a joke, crammed supermarkets atent ideal, butc we have had to wait for my nost able days to get to the shop to buy stuff my friend locally has been very good, she has picked up random bits for me when I've been totally incapable which has helped enormously and it is do much appreciated. I will definitely try to get her an extra nice birthday present imminently.shes also helped a lot of the less able elderly residents by getting their shopping with her online stuff.
Returning from my medical appointment I saw that my favourite and much lved coffee shop was again open for take away so my husband waited outside with our baby for me to get drinks . In store was an elderly lady, clearly suffering learning difficulties and some general disability the barista ran her coffe through the till but she couldnt pay as she had cash and it's now card only. She hadnt a clue what they were talking about and didnt understand, her care home had given her ten pounds. To a chain coffe shop a coffe is free, they drop them all the time, generosity doesnt hurt once in a while. The poor woman was upset and totally confused. I was happy to pay for her coffee and would have spoken ip before she left so they could make it and pay at same time as mine, but I was astonished not one of the 4 others in the queue before me will help another person. It was even worse when the lady in front was paying with a giftcard she had been given, so free to her, and had another £9 of drinks on it. People in this area love themselves so much but are so terribly mean. I just do not understand why they dint se others as equal and important. There is a major flaw in some people as I see it if whoever you are you cant see people on the ultimate equal level, that we are all just people. Give help when its needed, receive help when its our turn if we are in need, in whatever form that may take help

[Shutupyoutart]

Someone in my town has gone around the whole town leaving little notes on the trees, telephone poles ECT saying things like "enjoy your walk beautiful" "the best path isn't always the easiest" "sometimes the steepest roads lead to the nest destinations" went for a walk with the kids and they were so excited running from tree to tree to find the next inspirational message. Really lifted their spirits and mine :)

[Shutupyoutart]

Best destinations not nest!

[ButterflyBitch]

Several local groups set up to help the vulnerable. A local shop has got local people involved to make/sew over 1000 scrubs for nhs workers and deliver them as well as raising money for charity.
On a personal note it was my birthday in April and friends put prosecco and cupcakes on my doorstep which was lovely.
I sent my mum some flowers which made her cry (in a good way) just cos I miss her and she’s too far away to travel even for a socially distanced visit. Still not sure when I’ll be able to see her.

[Reader1984]

My husband got talking to an elderly couple down the road. They said they had not left the house for 11 weeks because they were so scared. He learnt they loved gardening so offered to go to the garden centre for them. When he returned with their requested items, the lady cried she was so grateful I was gutted I couldn't give her a hug!

Lovely to see her front garden come to life over the past week, and knowing my husband brought them a little joy in this difficult time, simply by offering to go to the garden centre for them. I'm proud of him

[spagbolsandwich]

I can't do much because I'm agoraphobic and don't go out (which is handy for socially isolating) but I have been gardening for my unwell elderly neighbours... They obviously stay indoors while I just made their gardens look pretty :-)

[froggybiby]

At first the whole situation made me quite anxious, being away from my family & with my sister overseas being a nurse, I hardly slept.
I then started to concentrate (besides working full time) on helping elderly neighbours / friends from my church. Everytime I'd go shopping, I'd call around first to see what my elderly friends needed.
We'd bring dishes & share some of our veggies with them when we got our fruit & veg deliveries...our car broke down mid march so the day I missed a delivery slot with Tesco when the system crashed...I am glad there was a click & collect...never mind my own shopping . I was more concerned about letting
my friends down so put it to my husband & daughter..."how about a trip to Tesco" for our exercise tomorrow?
Helping others is bringing me so much joy..
As I gifted my 95 year old neighbour the chocolates she wanted last week, I told her she didn't realised how her positivity & cheerfulness had helped me cope those past few months. It gave me a reason to get up...even at crack of dawn ...at 4.30am to get on the first bus to work when I had to go to site.

[littlemeitslyn]

NDN dropping off food boxes!

[gemima27]

I have been part of a scrub hub. Who are making scrubs for medics. People are being so kind giving up their time and money making these beautiful garments to help people who are helping others. I feel so privileged.

[Sleepybumble]

Someone at work left us all little gifts with a personal kind message. No one has admitted to doing it and it's lifted everyone's spirits to have a secret gift fairy about

[jaminia]

Lockdown has been hard from many but the world still surprises us with all kinds of goodness. I've seen homeless people still giving something that they barely have to fellow homeless and adopting stray animals with them. Isn't that admirable!