Norfolk’s first ‘Kindness Postbox’ launched
Organisers say little acts of kindness are vital right now
Norfolk’s first ‘Kindness Postbox’ has been launched in the Morrisons supermarket in Diss.
The post-boxes are part of efforts by Voluntary Norfolk’s Better Together service to tackle loneliness and social isolation in the county.
Pam Spicer, Campaign Officer for Better Together, said: “There’s a lot of negative news right now, and a lot of worry for people financially, so I think it’s quite nice to demonstrate that giving a gift doesn’t have to be a huge thing; it could be something handmade.”
The Kindness Postboxes are being made by Men’s Sheds in Diss, Wells Next-the-Sea, and Cromer.
The Kindness Postbox in Diss was decorated by volunteers from Arty Crafty Tuesday Group and residents of Weavers Court in the town.
Pam Spicer said: “Being a rural community, Norfolk can be quite isolated. So, it’s nice to bring the small towns and villages together, not only to donate items to the post boxes but also decorate them.”
The new postbox in Diss is collecting letters, cards, poems, art, and small items that will be added to kindness hampers.
The donations will be gifted to members of the community who are experiencing loneliness and social isolation or struggling financially.
Pam Spicer said: “The idea is that everyone can use their own interpretation of what’s a little gift of kindness. For instance, if you are not artistic and you can’t create a card, you can buy a small bar of chocolate and just pop it in the box, and still be involved with your community.”
Kindness Postboxes first sprung up across the UK during the various lockdowns as a way to give people, particularly residents of care homes, something to smile about.
Pam Spicer concluded: “If anybody wants to get involved and create their own community’s Kindness Postbox, we would really like to see them, know where they are, and just see how far the Norfolk community kindness can spread.”