More than a hundred residents in Walsall are being surprised with flowers, chocolates and small tokens of appreciation in an effort to spread a little cheer as part of National Random Acts of Kindness Day.

A total of 100 gifts will be given out by whg’s Kindness Counts Champions with the aim of brightening up the day of those that may be feeling down in an initiative supported by the Walsall Together Partnership

Head of Health and Wellbeing at whg, Connie Jennings. said: “These small acts of kindness can make all the difference; not only making people’s days that little bit better, but also improving health and wellbeing and even physical health.

“Research shows that every act of kindness benefits not just the person receiving the act, but also cascades out to another six people, reducing feelings of anxiety, depression and stress and making us feel part of a wider, connected and caring community.”

Agnieszka Bialon, a whg customer who received one of the Acts of Kindness, said: “I think we should always be nice and do nice things for each other.

“It is lovely to celebrate this day. I try my best to help both people and animals as much as I can. It’s especially important in current times we show kindness to each other.”

Matthew Dodd, Director of Transformation for Walsall Together, said: “This is a great way of spreading a little bit of happiness and showing people kindness during what has, and continues to be, a very difficult time for many. The partnership is working on a range of things to address isolation and loneliness for Walsall residents and it was really lovely to see some of the reactions from those who had been surprised and see the huge smiles on their faces.”

The Kindness Counts Champions were recruited by whg and funded by the Walsall Together Partnership, as part of a successful NHS Charities funding bid to deliver a number of projects, which aim to tackle health and wellbeing inequalities, loneliness and social isolation in Walsall.

The aim of the Kindness Counts programme is to use a targeted approach to help tackle the isolation and loneliness of some of its customers and other Walsall residents in order to improve their overall health and wellbeing. A programme of activities has been put in place and is delivered by the champions that help people to increase confidence and self-esteem and provides them with opportunities to meet and socialise with other people.