Kindness in Action
Kindness in Action: Helping Communities
Over the years, I’ve come to realise that generosity doesn’t always mean writing a cheque. Sometimes, it’s sharing your skills. Sometimes, it’s connecting the right people. Sometimes, it’s simply showing up and offering encouragement when it’s needed most.
I’ve always been driven by a deep belief that when one person thrives, the whole community benefits. So I make it my mission to lend a hand whenever and however I can.
Whether it’s helping a local restaurant grow their online presence after a simple food review sparked a surge in business or calling on my network to donate prizes to a grassroots film society trying to keep their lights on, I look for the quiet opportunities to make a difference.
When a local artist needed help setting up an Etsy store, I walked them through it step-by-step. When a struggling market stallholder couldn’t afford signage, I bartered design support in exchange for some of their incredible handmade goods. And when I see someone with a spark of an idea but no resources, I do my best to offer both practical guidance and, when possible, small-scale funding to get them started.
And one of the places that grounds me most is Shop 16 Food Relief, where I volunteer each week. Sorting produce, chatting with community members, helping people choose what they need. It’s simple, hands-on work, but deeply human. There’s something profoundly satisfying about being part of a place that makes sure people feel supported, dignified, and fed during their hardest moments. It reminds me that generosity isn’t abstract; it’s practical, immediate, and often quietly lifesaving.
These may not be grand gestures, but they’re genuine. They’re rooted in kindness, collaboration, and a belief in the power of small beginnings.
I don’t help others for recognition. I do it because I’ve seen how one generous act can ripple outward, lifting others, strengthening communities, and inspiring people to believe in themselves.
That’s the kind of legacy I want to build.
Kindness in Action: From One Meal to a Movement
In mid-2024, I stopped into a small local restaurant for a casual meal. I ordered the Curry Laksa, one of my favourites and, as always, took a few minutes to snap some photos. It was a picture-perfect dish: colourful, beautifully presented, and steaming hot.
Just one bite, and I knew I had to say something. When I paid, I told the owners, who are also the chefs, that it was one of the best Curry Laksa I’d ever had. Their eyes lit up with quiet pride.
I asked if they’d be comfortable with me posting the photos and sharing an honest review. They agreed, a little shyly, and thanked me sincerely.
A few weeks later, I returned and the change was palpable.
The owners greeted me with huge smiles. “People have been coming in,” they said, “showing your photo on their phone and asking, ‘I want this!’” That single post had sparked new interest, new customers, and a renewed sense of excitement.
As we chatted more, I discovered their social media accounts were still under the previous owner’s control. We came up with a strategy: I’d help them access and rebrand their profiles, creating a fresh digital presence that reflected their unique personality and menu.
With cash flow tight, we agreed on a simple quid pro quo: I’d offer marketing support and mentoring and in return, they’d feed me like royalty once a week.
Since then, their business has grown steadily, even in a tough economic climate. Their confidence has soared, their social media is thriving, and they’ve built a loyal new customer base.
To this day, I still offer guidance in the background, because sometimes, the smallest gestures can ignite the biggest changes. A kind word. A good review. A little help behind the scenes. That’s the power of community, and that’s the heart of what I do.
Kindness in Action: Community, Connection & the Ocean Grove Film Society
It’s always heart-warming to see a community step out of left field and create something truly special. A dear friend of mine, along with a group of clever, community-minded people, recently did just that by founding the Ocean Grove Film Society. With a thoughtful plan in hand, they sought funding, secured a venue, and gathered support through a local grant. It all came together beautifully. On opening night, over 60 people attended and by the end of their launch month, 83 had signed up as annual members. A stunning show of support. Every month, a local caterer donates a platter of homemade cakes, sweet treats, and fresh fruit donated by Happh Apple. A raffle is held to raise additional funds, with all the prizes generously donated by local businesses and individuals. It’s not just a movie night, it’s a community celebration. Although Ocean Grove is 70 minutes from home for me, I was honoured to be invited to join. And honestly, who could say no to the joy of gathering with like-minded souls to dive into a powerful story on the big screen? As of this writing, they’ve screened three films: Judy and Punch – a quirky Aussie comedy/thriller The Old Oak – an English social drama with heart The Teacher Who Promised the Sea, a moving Spanish historical film (subtitled) Each film has offered something different, thought-provoking, emotional, sometimes confronting but always uniting a roomful of people in 90 minutes of shared focus and emotion. Recently, the committee put out a call for raffle prize donations and I saw an opportunity to help. I reached out to my network, and the response was humbling. People offered Irish woollen socks, handmade jewellery, body care products, kitchenware, and more. These little gestures are now helping to grow the Society’s capacity, one ticket, one prize, one community member at a time. I can’t always give financially. But I’m lucky to have an incredible network to call on. And sometimes, that’s just as powerful.
