WANTED: Deliberate acts of kindness

VisitScotland is supporting a mission to encourage Scots to be kinder to one another for 21 days in January.

From complimenting a stranger to volunteering; from making your co-workers coffee to donating clothes to the homeless – no matter how big or small the act - the national tourism organisation is working with the Carnegie Trust, U.Lab Scotland and the Scottish Recovery Consortium to inspire the spirit of warmth and generosity in 2017.

Acknowledging it takes 21 days to change a habit, the initiative aligns with VisitScotland’s #ScotSpirit campaign which seeks to create a movement that spreads the spirit of Scotland globally.

The Challenge will start on 5 Jan and participants will be asked to commit a deliberate act of kindness every single day until 26 Jan.

As 25 January marks the annual celebration of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns, VisitScotland is hoping that those taking the challenge will celebrate the bard’s very own spirit of generosity at Burns’ nights across the country.

Burns is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic Movement, an inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism, and a cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish diaspora around the world.

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland said:

“Whether his subject was a man or a mouse (or even a louse), Robert Burns had a rare talent for putting himself into others' shoes and expressing life's universal emotions. Indeed, it is because of this great man that we promise, every Hogmanay, to 'tak a cup o' kindness' with our neighbours and go forward into the new year with a sense of belonging and hope for the future.

“We are delighted to be supporting this Kinder Scotland 21 day challenge and hope that many across the country will spread their #ScotSpirit no matter how big or small the act.”

In 2014, a poll revealed Edinburgh and Glasgow people are among the most generous in Britain when it comes to random acts of kindness. Further research from the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) in 2015 showed that Scots pride themselves on their generosity with almost 9 out of 10 Scots donating to charity – higher than the 8 out of 10 people in England and Wales.

A spokesperson from the U.Lab coaching circle who prototyped the challenge said:

“We tried the 21 day challenge in November 2016 in advance of launching Kinder Scotland 2017 and we were blown away by how such a simple intention could transform our relationships with ourselves, our environment and with others in unexpected ways. It truly is an adventure.

“We are so excited to be doing this Scotland wide - we would love it for as many people as possible to join us in contributing to an even kinder Scotland. Hope to see you there!'

Example ‘deliberate acts of kindness’ include:

1. Befriend a lonely person
2. Introduce yourself to your neighbours
3. Compliment a stranger
4. Pay for the coffee, the toll, or the bus fare for the person behind you
5. Hold the door open for someone
6. Play cupid – You know those two people who would totally be great together and they just haven’t met yet? Get them in the same room together and let nature take its course.
7. Say “Thank you” a lot - to the bus driver, the grocery store owner, the bin man
8. Call your parents and tell them you love them
9. Let your partner watch their show – And don’t roll your eyes or huff and puff about it
10. Don’t be annoying – Make a conscious effort to avoid doing the things you know annoy your spouse or friends

The Kinder Scotland 21 day challenge is a partnership between the U. Lab Scotland community and the Carnegie Trust; both are interested in the impact of not so random acts of kindness on communities. It will be hosted on kindspring.org, an international volunteer led kindness and generosity web platform and community. It’s entirely free to join and use the resources, ideas and daily inspirations for those taking part in the challenge. All those taking part in the challenge can communicate their acts of kindness using the hashtag #ScotSpirit

ScotSpirit was a term coined by VisitScotland at the start of the Spirit of Scotland campaign in 2016 and has amassed over 280,000 hashtag shares across Instagram and Twitter. The word ScotSpirit is a noun which meansa) The intangible feeling one gets only when in Scotland; b) A movement with social, economic and charitable aims created through the unification of those with a passion for Scotland supported by all who love Scotland; c) An essence only found in the people and landscapes of Scotland – “Have you ScotSpirit?”

To Join the Kinder Scotland Challenge 2017 and warm the dark cold January with Kindness follow this link:

http://www.kindspring.org/challenge/join/1272/

To find out more about ScotSpirit, visit www.visitscotland.com/about/uniquely-scottish/scotspirit/

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