Wales was named the kindest region in Great Britain, according to research – with residents carrying out an average of eight kind gestures each week
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Frame runner with cerebral palsy set to take on London Marathon
Brits have shared the top 30 kind acts that they do to help other people – with six in 10 agreeing that the number one good-hearted gesture is simply to say thank you, or to show their appreciation.
Nearly three in 10 adults (28%) say that being kind to others makes them feel happy, while 51% claim it is just a part of their personal values.
And other ways in which they show kindness include making someone a cup of tea, paying someone a compliment, or simply asking someone how they are.
Nearly half would take in a parcel for a neighbour (45%), or donate their unused belongings to charity (44%), while 37% would check in on a friend – and 59% like to hold the door open for others.
While Brits clearly know what it takes to be kind, exactly half, of the 2,000 adults surveyed, say they are eager to help people out even more than they currently do.
And one in three (34%) would even go as far as to say they wished they were a kinder individual – with 27% wanting to feel as though they are “doing their bit”.
The research also revealed the top kindest regions in Great Britain, with Wales coming out on top – averaging eight acts of kindness a week. This was followed by London, where residents carry out 7.3 acts of kindness weekly, and the West Midlands, with 7.2.
Meanwhile, the East of England and the South East trailed at the back of the pack, with residents carrying out just six-and-a-half kind gestures over a typical seven-day period.
The research was commissioned by Nissan, which is working with The Richard Whitehead Foundation’s Supported Runner Project, to help make this Sunday’s TCS London Marathon more inclusive.
It also emerged that a quarter of adults across the country volunteer, dedicating an average of eight hours of their spare time each week. And 56% said they would volunteer to help a disabled friend or person complete a sporting event, if they were equipped with the right tools and training.
Gold-medal winning Paralympian, and Nissan GB’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ambassador, Richard Whitehead, said: “It’s fantastic to see how people support each other across the country, and so many would be willing to help disabled runners if they had the tools and training to do so.
“Helping others is not only incredibly important, but also very rewarding – so we’re delighted to give people the opportunity to do so around mass participation running events.
“The Supported Runner Project provides comprehensive training to volunteers, allowing them to offer all-encompassing support to runners with physical or neurodiverse disabilities before, during, and after each event – helping to remove some of the challenges and barriers to entry that they may encounter.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the impact this will have at this year’s race, and hopefully we can inspire even more people to take part in the future.”
The study also found that, while 43% of those polled feel they have got kinder as they have got older, others admit some of the top things holding them back from becoming more compassionate include a lack of time (42%), money (41%), and an introverted personality (34%).
But three-quarters recognise the power of kindness, as they feel it has a positive impact on their relationship with others. And 76% of those polled, via OnePoll, believe compassion and generosity can be passed on – so when you’re kind to someone, they will be kind to someone else.
Supported Runner Project volunteer, Gill Menzies, who is helping her friend Julie McElroy become the first female frame runner to complete the TCS London Marathon, said: “I’m excited to be supporting Julie – it’s a real privilege to help her both physically and mentally complete the marathon, and a rewarding experience for both of us.
“Volunteers are vital to the project – helping to break down those barriers to entry, giving people a chance to take part in amazing events. With the training process being tailored to the needs of each athlete and support runner, it provides everyone involved with the best chance of completing their challenge.”
GREAT BRITAIN’S KINDEST REGIONS, RANKED BY NUMBER OF WEEKLY ACTS OF KINDNESS:
- Wales (8.1)
- London (7.3)
- West Midlands (7.2)
- North West (7.0)
- Scotland (6.9)
- Yorkshire and the Humber (6.9)
- North East (6.8)
- South West (6.8)
- East Midlands (6.7)
- South East (6.5)
- East of England (6.5)
TOP 30 THINGS ADULTS DO TO HELP OTHERS:
- Saying thank you/showing appreciation
- Holding a door open for someone
- Asking someone how they are
- Smiling/saying hello to strangers
- Giving someone a compliment
- Taking a parcel in for a neighbour
- Donating old belongings to charity
- Making someone a cup of tea
- Letting a friend vent about their problems to you
- Donating money to charity
- Checking in on a friend
- Spending time with your children
- Taking in your neighbour’s bins
- Sharing snacks with someone
- Helping a colleague with their work
- Buying a friend a coffee
- Visiting/spending time with an elderly relative
- Offering a seat to someone else on public transport
- Volunteering your time
- Helping someone with their food shopping
- Sending a gift or flowers to a friend to cheer them up
- Helping someone who lives alone, and is less able, with their chores
- Helping your local community
- Helping someone cross the road
- Dog-sitting or dog-walking for a friend
- Babysitting someone’s child
- Fundraising for charity
- Donating blood
- Accompanying a friend to an exercise class/for a run
- Taking part in community “clean-ups”
