A nice thread

Oh what a joy to read a cheerful, up-beat post! I've only been a member for a very short time but usually find this section so depressing. Come on ladies, let's have more posts like this one.

It's about time that gongs were stopped being given to people who earn good money and then get awards for doing that job. All many 'silent' good people would want is thanks and recognition.

If you are part of a knitting/crochet group and want to support vulnerable children, offer help to
buddybagfoundation.co.uk
who give a backpack with a soft toy, photo frame etc to children who've just lost their homes and possessions. Fabulous charity who I understand ask for homemade toys from groups.
Our group are making dementia mats at the moment.

There are thousands of people who volunteer daily in all kinds of roles, from helping with reading in classrooms to giving free legal advice via CAB, gardening, fundraising etc etc. Without all these people a lot of organisations and individuals would be in a difficult place.
So hip hip hooray for volunteers! Often unsung heroes quietly doing what decent folk do. Because they are the majority they are rarely newsworthy. It is the minority who hit the headlines.

There are quite a number of knitting charities and there is a lot of call for the things made. I support one called Knit for Life and they are sometimes asked for toys by the Police.

There are good positive things happening in so many places....wonderful people everywhere....

Helping with reading is lovely - I do this. It's very rewarding.

Buffybee. The work you are doing for these young people is amazing, and you should be so proud of yourself for helping out these poor teenagers.
I can't help thinking, though, that it sounds rather risky. Are their any security checks before you admit strangers into your house? I can't help thinking of a case, recently where a woman was stabbed to death. She and her husband had taken in a homeless man who became difficult. When they decided that he had to go he turned on them.
I feel bad about raising the question, but one hears so many bad things, these days. I used to be a foster-mum, but only of young children. I know that fostering teenagers from difficult backgrounds can be very challenging.

Just one day of kindness from 365 days? Well well to what are to coming?

Lovely thread. News of so many good, kind actions. Really cheering.

I'm with you Lucy67 something cheery at last! Makes a change from the usual dil/mil problems.

Yes W.I. do a lot of good. I belong to 2 groups & one has just had a Fayre for 2 local charities we support- it changes every 3 years so we can pass the money around.
Last year we gave over £3000- all from things we had made- quite simple but pretty or useful things. It's a double benefit as we all have fun getting together & making things.
Seriously- if you have a little time to spare do try your local W.I. You will make friends, have fun & do some good too.
There are W.I.s for all age groups- some daytime, some evening & most have other clubs running in them too such as craft groups, reading groups, lunch clubs etc.
Just give one a try- I was only looking for a reading group 12 years ago when I found W.I & so glad I did.

I participate in a Facebook group called Knit Knuts. We all knit for charity. At the moment we have approx 4000 members from all over th.e world. We share charities and ideas around. It's wonderful. If you knit you would be welcome.

Greengran, there are some checks, for instance, drug taking but the youngsters I have have usually run away from "bad" parents and especially bad Step-fathers.
They turn up at local housing thinking that now they're 16, they can leave home. They get referred to Social Services who then refer to Depaul.
The more, if I can say "unruly" ones are housed in communal flats attached to local offices and overseen by the Support Workers.
Then you get the absolutely desperate, scared, mistreated ones who wouldn't say "boo to a goose". These are the ones that I take in. Believe me they are not dangerous at all, they are desperate little kids, terrified of having to go back "home".
They are so scared it takes me a while before they trust me and then start confiding their "stories" to me. Always the same, when I'm watching tv at night, they stand behind me and just start talking. Some of what they have endured is unbelievable. Rape, beatings, being locked in so the teachers can't see black eyes, burst lips. I tell them that I understand and that from now on they will be "their own people" and I will help them to achieve this.
I teach them how to shop, cook, clean, and quite a few have to be encouraged to wash as they don't think they can use the hot water.
Their bedrooms are warm and cozy and absolutly theirs while they are here. They are so proud to have their own space for the first time in their lives and then start to blossom and bloom.
My Dd lives across the road from me and tells me that she can't believe the difference in these down trodden girls who pass her house and in a few weeks, walk by with shiny hair, happy faces and heads held high.
Most stay between 6 months and 2 years until being housed.
To answer your question through, in 18 years I have never felt afraid of threatened by any of them.

I know a few people who donate outgrown school uniforms to local schools and I think this is a wonderful gesture. Shoes too which some have only been able to wear for one term before outgrowing them.

I've just read a piece in my local rag referring to a ban ( good )being imposed by one particular school about some pupils wearing " high-end " coats to stop poverty shaming.
The ban will take place in January.
Brilliant news as this will at least halt some of the bullying that goes on in schools.Well done to them.
I occasionally go to the school where my GG children attend to make sure that there's no bullying going on.

All WI’s are doing things for the community this week ( National Kindness Day) and also collecting boxes of non perishable foodstuffs and toiletries for their local foodbanks in December.Our church has a new toy service, which the Salvation Army distributes in Dec.

Buffybee. Your answer is very reassuring. Those poor children must never, completely, be able to put to rest the awful things that have happened to them. It's wonderful that you are giving them a fresh start in life, and such marvellous support. It must be hard work, but so rewarding.
I know that some of the little ones that we fostered came from bad homes, and needed lots of patience before they felt that they could trust us. The world is a very sad place, and I'm glad that there are so many good people, like yourself, to help to pick up the pieces of these shattered lives.

Someone I know asked us all to contribute some nicer Christmas food goodies which will go to a Women's Refuge and, of course, there will be children at the refuge too.
Everyone was very generous with their donations.

The key word is reward. Volunteering is rewarding.
Unfortunately I can't knit and text at the same time yet.

mabon I'm reading these posts, admiring the many volunteers who provide ongoing support to many different causes. PECS highlighted the day of kindness, echoed by lemon.
Why attack that one day with a snide comments as if it negates all the excellent work being done.
Well done, all the volunteers who plod on without expecting awards and gongs!

Why attack that one day with a snide comments
It would be nice if mabon was kind on just one day a year, mcem

I've just delivered a dozen baby cardigans to a local charity. They've asked that I knit more in newborn size. They make up packs for mums in hospital who may not have much. I've also made some hats and gloves for homeless men. A local church as requested them.

I'm afraid she can't seem to stop herself, ladies. Oh, well. Let's concentrate on the nice things being said instead.

The Dali Lama said he has no temples or cathedrals, his place of worship is inside his head, and his mantra is 'Be kind - it is always possible to be kind'. How true, and there are some wonderful people who quietly go about making life easier for those who have been dealt a bad hand in life. My Mother grew up in a very poor family, and she said that they would have gone under without the Salvation Army - they did wonderful things to help the poor in the East End of London.

I used to be on the committee of my local WI and enjoyed the cameraderie, talks, occasional outings etc.
The majority of members were young mums and those of young-ish middle years and it was vibrant and modern.
It (sadly) closed.
I tried another local branch but after looking around me, they were almost all in my age group but looked like clones. During the talk, the lady in front of me farted and I have never held my breath for so long as on that evening. To top it all, I patted the seat next to me to encourage a lone member to sit within the group I was with. She whispered throughout the talk and I could feel my ear withering away due to her halitosis.
Assaulted on two fronts, I decided that it wasn't for me. I felt as if I had one foot in the grave and yes, I know all WIs are not like that.
A funny thing was, in my former WI we had a talk by a local lady who had appeared on tv.
She brought copies of her latest book (large-ish hardback) which she would sign and we could buy after her talk.
I declined to pay £15 but many shelled out and went home very happy.
The following day I looked on Amazon, bought the book (new) for £2.60 (free p&p) and showed it to my WI friends at the next meeting.
"I thought you didn't buy one", came the cry.
"Ah! I did, from Amazon, but you paid £12.40 for a signature".