The Simple Stuff!
The stuff we can all do - the stuff that costs nowt (as they say in Yorkshire)...
Smile at someone - not in a weird way but a nice, genuine smile that could then lead to...
Say hello to someone - or a regional variation such as top o' the mornin' to yer, hi, ey-oop, yer alright duck - you get the idea - try it with your neighbours, people at the bus stop, people in town, whilst out for a walk on the canal....
Hold the door open for someone - when leaving a shop or public door check who is behind you, wait for them, hold the door! (try it with the above)
Talk To Me Today - a simple idea that encourages people to wear wristbands that encourages people - those you know and those you don't - to talk to you! Visit www.talk-to-me.today for more ideas and to buy the wristband...
Pray for your neighbourhood - take time to pray for your neighbours and the needs of your neighbourhood and those who make a difference and serve (such as police, fire, ambulance, refuse collectors, post men / ladies, councillors, Neighbourhood Watch coordinators, community groups...) - we are linking with NeighbourhoodPrayer.net to help map the UK street prayer movement
Be pleasant - next time you are out shopping, paying your bus / tube / train fare, wherever you come across someone doing a job invest a little conversation in them - something along the lines of "how are you? hope you have a great day! thank you, take care..." - easy but effective!
Random Acts of Kindness - practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty! Made popular by Danny Wallace's book Random Acts of Kindness encourage people to do just that! Check out The Kindness Offensive / Random Acts of Kindness Foundation (American) and Danny Wallace's rather cool and funny book (also available in a local bookshop - why not try shopping locally first?)
Avoid the road rage - be kind and considerate to other people on the road....
Spread the Warmth - ageUK are running a campaign to carry out acts of kindness to elderly people over the winter! What a great idea and you get to spin Lionel's Wheel of Warmth - www.ageuk.org.uk/spreadthewarmth
Shop Locally - the big supermarkets are not always the cheapest or the best! For years our ancestors have visited the local butcher, green-grocer, Arkwright's Stores and wonderful emporiums of chocolate and sweets - why not commit to doing the same and help invest into your local community... Have a butchers (get it!) at Hull and Halifax who have both developed Shop Local / Totally Locally campaigns... Also try Fairtrade stuff - stuff that is made so the person who spent the time growing it and farming it gets a fair amount of money for it...
Donate to Charity Shops - piles of old books, videos, DVD's, clothes that you will never wear again, old nic-nac's - don't throw them away but take them to a local charity shop. Most charity shops can Gift Aid on the money they make on the sale so ask about that and make the charity an extra 28p per £1!
Recycle more - many things can be recycled! Postage stamps can be collected and posted to The Leprosy Mission and turned into a cure for someone with leprosy. Mobile phones (not your latest iPhone or Android model but that old thing in the back of that cupboard full of stuff you mean to sort out one day...) and printer cartridges can be donated to charities... What a great idea that loves others and costs you nowt!
Clean Up - look around you, plastic bags, burger cartons, squashed bottles, old newspapers - spend half an hour picking up this rubbish (be careful of stuff like glass, needles, etc though) and see an area transform before your very eyes!
#WeWillGather - notice something that needs doing that is too big for you to sort on your own? Then get people together to do good things via #WeWillGather web site or on Twitter
Serve the Servants - just stop and think how we can't function without postmen, refuse collectors, lollypop men and ladies, bus drivers, volunteers, police, fire, ambulance..... wouldn't it be great to say thank you to them every now and again - show them their work is appreciated and we are grateful for all they do! Head out on your own or with friends, family or small group and go out of your way to say thank you or even offer a box of chocolates or bunch of flowers and a thank you card! Its simple but can be really effective and make someone feel loved...
Say cheese - if you into photography why not go and take some photos to show off your neighbourhood or town... Add them to Facebook and as a Fan Photo on the LYS Facebook Page and tell the world how amazing your streets are...
#Do1NiceThing - see the list on this page...
The stuff we can all do - the stuff that costs nowt (as they say in Yorkshire)...
Smile at someone - not in a weird way but a nice, genuine smile that could then lead to...
Say hello to someone - or a regional variation such as top o' the mornin' to yer, hi, ey-oop, yer alright duck - you get the idea - try it with your neighbours, people at the bus stop, people in town, whilst out for a walk on the canal....
Hold the door open for someone - when leaving a shop or public door check who is behind you, wait for them, hold the door! (try it with the above)
Talk To Me Today - a simple idea that encourages people to wear wristbands that encourages people - those you know and those you don't - to talk to you! Visit www.talk-to-me.today for more ideas and to buy the wristband...
Pray for your neighbourhood - take time to pray for your neighbours and the needs of your neighbourhood and those who make a difference and serve (such as police, fire, ambulance, refuse collectors, post men / ladies, councillors, Neighbourhood Watch coordinators, community groups...) - we are linking with NeighbourhoodPrayer.net to help map the UK street prayer movement
Be pleasant - next time you are out shopping, paying your bus / tube / train fare, wherever you come across someone doing a job invest a little conversation in them - something along the lines of "how are you? hope you have a great day! thank you, take care..." - easy but effective!
Random Acts of Kindness - practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty! Made popular by Danny Wallace's book Random Acts of Kindness encourage people to do just that! Check out The Kindness Offensive / Random Acts of Kindness Foundation (American) and Danny Wallace's rather cool and funny book (also available in a local bookshop - why not try shopping locally first?)
Avoid the road rage - be kind and considerate to other people on the road....
Spread the Warmth - ageUK are running a campaign to carry out acts of kindness to elderly people over the winter! What a great idea and you get to spin Lionel's Wheel of Warmth - www.ageuk.org.uk/spreadthewarmth
Shop Locally - the big supermarkets are not always the cheapest or the best! For years our ancestors have visited the local butcher, green-grocer, Arkwright's Stores and wonderful emporiums of chocolate and sweets - why not commit to doing the same and help invest into your local community... Have a butchers (get it!) at Hull and Halifax who have both developed Shop Local / Totally Locally campaigns... Also try Fairtrade stuff - stuff that is made so the person who spent the time growing it and farming it gets a fair amount of money for it...
Donate to Charity Shops - piles of old books, videos, DVD's, clothes that you will never wear again, old nic-nac's - don't throw them away but take them to a local charity shop. Most charity shops can Gift Aid on the money they make on the sale so ask about that and make the charity an extra 28p per £1!
Recycle more - many things can be recycled! Postage stamps can be collected and posted to The Leprosy Mission and turned into a cure for someone with leprosy. Mobile phones (not your latest iPhone or Android model but that old thing in the back of that cupboard full of stuff you mean to sort out one day...) and printer cartridges can be donated to charities... What a great idea that loves others and costs you nowt!
Clean Up - look around you, plastic bags, burger cartons, squashed bottles, old newspapers - spend half an hour picking up this rubbish (be careful of stuff like glass, needles, etc though) and see an area transform before your very eyes!
#WeWillGather - notice something that needs doing that is too big for you to sort on your own? Then get people together to do good things via #WeWillGather web site or on Twitter
Serve the Servants - just stop and think how we can't function without postmen, refuse collectors, lollypop men and ladies, bus drivers, volunteers, police, fire, ambulance..... wouldn't it be great to say thank you to them every now and again - show them their work is appreciated and we are grateful for all they do! Head out on your own or with friends, family or small group and go out of your way to say thank you or even offer a box of chocolates or bunch of flowers and a thank you card! Its simple but can be really effective and make someone feel loved...
Say cheese - if you into photography why not go and take some photos to show off your neighbourhood or town... Add them to Facebook and as a Fan Photo on the LYS Facebook Page and tell the world how amazing your streets are...
#Do1NiceThing - see the list on this page...
The Organised Stuff!
This may take a bit more effort, may mean you joining a group or talking to others and planning it together...
Snow Patrol - a great idea from Street By Street in Belfast - see the poster here.
Volunteer - people invest massive amounts of time and money and energy into this country because they love others! There is so many areas you can volunteer in - and most of it makes a massive difference for other people... Volunteering England is a great place to start - www.volunteering.org.uk and if you ask them nicely they tell you where your nearest Volunteering Centre is locally.
The Big Lunch - break out the bunting on first Sunday in June for The Big Lunch! How can we describe it - well it is a lunch (food always good) that is big (i.e. you invite your neighbours - make it a street party, do a Come Dine With Me type meal, etc, etc) - see www.thebiglunch.com
StreetBank - this is a cool idea that allows everyone to enjoy the things their neighbours are willing to share and for all to offer things they can share to build up their community! Guitar lessons, lateral thigh trainers (!), cooking skills, etc - its a fact that communities that help each other are closer, nicer and friendlier to live - we like that! www.streetbank.com
Join Neighbourhood Watch - make your street a safe street! There may be one running in your neighbourhood - or it may be time you helped to start one - see www.ourwatch.co.uk for all the information you will need.
Get involved with a project such as Street Angels - in over 100 towns and cities across the UK teams of volunteers head out onto the streets on Friday and Saturday nights to help people - maybe you could be one of them? Visit www.cninetwork.org.uk and see if they run in a town or city near you...
Get linked in to a local church - the church is about more than singing a few hymns on a Sunday morning! Many churches are really active in community and social responsibility type stuff - debt counselling, crisis pregnancy care, young peoples work, homeless / chaotic lifestyle programmes, elderly folks lunches, parent and toddlers, supporting work in other countries, uniformed activities such as Scouts, Brownies and Girls Brigade... the list could go on and on and on and on and on - contact your local church or Churches Together to see what they are doing!
Set up or link into a Neighbourhood group - maybe some local issues need addressing, the local park needs a bit painting, the community centre needs some TLC, or you just meet for mince pies and mulled wine at Christmas (and who wouldn't want a free mince pie and glass of mulled wine?) - whatever! Love your streets extreme! You could also try #WeWillGather
Set up ROC Cafe or ROC Conversations - ROC Cafe is a cool idea of a multi-agency approach to youth work - police, fire, church, schools and the local community working with young people to put on ROC Cafe events.. ROC Conversations is a similar multi-agency approach which invites neighbourhoods together to discuss issues within the neighbourhood and then write, agree and action an action plan - see www.redeemingourcommunities.org.uk for more details...
Get in touch with your Councillor, MP or Community Support Officer - ask them what the needs in your community are or if they need a hand on any community projects that need your help! An hour a week of your time could make all the difference!
Healing On The Streets - a great idea from the bonny shores of Northern Ireland! People from local churches hit the town, put up a banner with the word "healing" on it and hang around to see what happens! Often people are lonely, frightened, in a mess, need someone to chat to and pray with them for whatever life has thrown at them. Visit www.out-there.org for more details.
In Bloom - a fantastic idea - get your neighbourhood bloomin' - in the horticultural sense of course! Planting flowers, cleaning up messy areas, do some community gardening - how much better do some really nice colourful flowers look compared to a bit of waste land with a shopping trolley and one wheeled bike? Visit www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Community-gardening
Run a Neighbourhood BBQ - not in winter obviously but on that one day of summer (well hopefully more than one day) put some invitations through your neighbours doors and set up a BBQ - a great fun way to meet your neighbours! See also The Big Lunch, above, a day of neighbourhood eating...
Walking Church / Group - escape the daily grind to head off the streets and onto the hills, the mountains and moors... bliss!!! Combine this with "church" (discussions, wayside hospitality, pilgrimage) and you have Walking Church! Sound like your kind of thing - cool! See an article here...
Sponsor a Child - it is great to make a difference in your neighbourhood and in your town but this idea is one that helps in other countries. This is more than sending money but an investment in a child that will change the world one child at a time. Try Compassion or Watoto...
Love Your Town - an initiative to mobilise people to love the town or area they live in - for example Love Stockton, Love Whitehaven, Love Bradford...
Community Festival - everyone loves a party! There are a growing number of free community festivals across the country - for example Love Calderdale and European Neighbours Day.
These are all a few ideas to start you off - email us if you are cleverer than us and have even better ideas you wish to share with the world!
This may take a bit more effort, may mean you joining a group or talking to others and planning it together...
Snow Patrol - a great idea from Street By Street in Belfast - see the poster here.
Volunteer - people invest massive amounts of time and money and energy into this country because they love others! There is so many areas you can volunteer in - and most of it makes a massive difference for other people... Volunteering England is a great place to start - www.volunteering.org.uk and if you ask them nicely they tell you where your nearest Volunteering Centre is locally.
The Big Lunch - break out the bunting on first Sunday in June for The Big Lunch! How can we describe it - well it is a lunch (food always good) that is big (i.e. you invite your neighbours - make it a street party, do a Come Dine With Me type meal, etc, etc) - see www.thebiglunch.com
StreetBank - this is a cool idea that allows everyone to enjoy the things their neighbours are willing to share and for all to offer things they can share to build up their community! Guitar lessons, lateral thigh trainers (!), cooking skills, etc - its a fact that communities that help each other are closer, nicer and friendlier to live - we like that! www.streetbank.com
Join Neighbourhood Watch - make your street a safe street! There may be one running in your neighbourhood - or it may be time you helped to start one - see www.ourwatch.co.uk for all the information you will need.
Get involved with a project such as Street Angels - in over 100 towns and cities across the UK teams of volunteers head out onto the streets on Friday and Saturday nights to help people - maybe you could be one of them? Visit www.cninetwork.org.uk and see if they run in a town or city near you...
Get linked in to a local church - the church is about more than singing a few hymns on a Sunday morning! Many churches are really active in community and social responsibility type stuff - debt counselling, crisis pregnancy care, young peoples work, homeless / chaotic lifestyle programmes, elderly folks lunches, parent and toddlers, supporting work in other countries, uniformed activities such as Scouts, Brownies and Girls Brigade... the list could go on and on and on and on and on - contact your local church or Churches Together to see what they are doing!
Set up or link into a Neighbourhood group - maybe some local issues need addressing, the local park needs a bit painting, the community centre needs some TLC, or you just meet for mince pies and mulled wine at Christmas (and who wouldn't want a free mince pie and glass of mulled wine?) - whatever! Love your streets extreme! You could also try #WeWillGather
Set up ROC Cafe or ROC Conversations - ROC Cafe is a cool idea of a multi-agency approach to youth work - police, fire, church, schools and the local community working with young people to put on ROC Cafe events.. ROC Conversations is a similar multi-agency approach which invites neighbourhoods together to discuss issues within the neighbourhood and then write, agree and action an action plan - see www.redeemingourcommunities.org.uk for more details...
Get in touch with your Councillor, MP or Community Support Officer - ask them what the needs in your community are or if they need a hand on any community projects that need your help! An hour a week of your time could make all the difference!
Healing On The Streets - a great idea from the bonny shores of Northern Ireland! People from local churches hit the town, put up a banner with the word "healing" on it and hang around to see what happens! Often people are lonely, frightened, in a mess, need someone to chat to and pray with them for whatever life has thrown at them. Visit www.out-there.org for more details.
In Bloom - a fantastic idea - get your neighbourhood bloomin' - in the horticultural sense of course! Planting flowers, cleaning up messy areas, do some community gardening - how much better do some really nice colourful flowers look compared to a bit of waste land with a shopping trolley and one wheeled bike? Visit www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Community-gardening
Run a Neighbourhood BBQ - not in winter obviously but on that one day of summer (well hopefully more than one day) put some invitations through your neighbours doors and set up a BBQ - a great fun way to meet your neighbours! See also The Big Lunch, above, a day of neighbourhood eating...
Walking Church / Group - escape the daily grind to head off the streets and onto the hills, the mountains and moors... bliss!!! Combine this with "church" (discussions, wayside hospitality, pilgrimage) and you have Walking Church! Sound like your kind of thing - cool! See an article here...
Sponsor a Child - it is great to make a difference in your neighbourhood and in your town but this idea is one that helps in other countries. This is more than sending money but an investment in a child that will change the world one child at a time. Try Compassion or Watoto...
Love Your Town - an initiative to mobilise people to love the town or area they live in - for example Love Stockton, Love Whitehaven, Love Bradford...
Community Festival - everyone loves a party! There are a growing number of free community festivals across the country - for example Love Calderdale and European Neighbours Day.
These are all a few ideas to start you off - email us if you are cleverer than us and have even better ideas you wish to share with the world!