Barnardo’s is encouraging people to be kind and mindful to others while raising money for vulnerable children during the charity’s new fundraising initiative Kindfulness Week.
Barnardo’s Kindfulness Week 2018, which kicks off on Monday 3rd December, is all about exploring mindfulness – the practice of being calm, aware and fully present in the moment – with an extra emphasis on being kind, to yourself as well as to other people.
The new fundraising week comes after a YouGov survey for Barnardo’s, carried out earlier this year, showed the importance of encouraging children to take part in mindfulness activities to help them cope with everyday stresses. The results showed the main causes of stress for 12 to 16-year-olds were school for 65%, their future for 42%, problems at home for 31%, being bullied for 25% (not including online) and their weight for 26%.
Kindfulness packs are available to download and include a five-day calendar of ideas for kindful actions and fundraising activities to help raise money towards Barnardo’s vital services for children and young people. Suggestions include thinking of five things you are grateful for, spending ten minutes meditating, holding a fundraising bake sale and encouraging your friends and family in their endeavours.
The pack also includes ideas on how to have a “stress down Friday”, including wearing slippers or comfy clothes to work, trying some mindful group activities or relaxing with friends during the busy festive period.
Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said:
We hope that people will embrace the idea of Kindfulness and a week of sharing positive experiences and being kind to other people and themselves.
This is also a unique way to raise vital funds for Barnardo’s so we can continue to support hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable children across the UK.
To take part in Kindfulness week and download a pack, visit https://www.barnardos.org.uk/kindfulness/groups-kindfulness
