Random acts of kindness

Take action and carry out a random act of kindness for someone else. Research shows that helping others can be beneficial to our own mental health. It can reduce stress, improve our emotional wellbeing and even benefit our physical health.

Today why not…

1. Carry out a random act of kindness for somebody else
2. Note a random act of kindness someone does for you

How it works

Simply click the random number generator button, find the corresponding act of kindness in our list below, and complete it on the day. Alternatively, pick any act of kindness to carry out or even come up with your own!

Your random number

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Sharing is caring! We want to hear your #KindnessStories. You can tag us @mentalhealth on Twitter and @mentalhealthfoundation on Instagram.

We hope you enjoy taking part in this campaign. Acts of kindness can be performed all year around. It’s so important to look after each other within our communities. This is how we protect and sustain good mental health for all.

50 random acts of kindness

... for at home and in your community, at work with your colleagues and when you're out and about in public places

Download the poster (.pdf)

1. Call a friend that you haven’t spoken to for a while
2. Send a letter to a grandparent
3. Send flowers to a friend
4. Offer to pick up some groceries for your elderly neighbour
5. Send someone a handwritten note
6. Offer to babysit for a friend
7. Walk your friend’s dog
8. Tell your family members how much you love and appreciate them
9. Help your parents with household chores
10. Help a friend get active
11. Make someone laugh
12. Offer to cook for a friend or family member
13. Make a cup of tea for a friend or family member
14. Help with a household chore at home or for a friend
15. Host an informal get together and invite your neighbours to get to know each other
16. Tell someone you know that you are proud of them
17. Tell someone you know why you are thankful for them
18. Send a motivational text to a friend who is struggling
19. Send someone you know a joke to cheer them up
20. Send someone you know a picture of a cute animal
21. Send an inspirational quote to a friend
22. Send an interesting article to a friend
23. Put a surprise note or drawing on someone’s desk
24. Contact someone you haven’t seen in a while and arrange to meet face to face
25. Engage in conversation with a shop assistant when paying at the till
26. Spend time playing with your pet
27. Sign up to do voluntary work in your local community
28. Reach out to spend time with a friend, family member or neighbour who is experiencing loneliness
29. Have a clear out and take items to a charity shop
30. Make and send a care package to someone who needs it
31. Make a donation to a charity
32. Offer to pick up a friend or family member from work
33. Make a cup of tea for your colleagues
34. Get to know the new staff member
35. Lend your ear - listen to your colleague who is having a bad day
36. Say good morning
37. Bake a cake for your colleagues
38. Give praise to your colleague for something they’ve done well
39. If it’s raining – lend someone your umbrella
40. Take someone out for lunch instead of eating at your desk
41. Give up your seat to an elderly, disabled or pregnant person
42. Let someone jump the queue at the supermarket
43. Take a minute to help someone who is lost
44. Have a conversation with someone who is experiencing homelessness
45. Help a mother carrying her push chair down the stairs or hold the door for her
46. Let a fellow driver merge into your lane
47. Pick up some rubbish lying around in the street
48. Smile and say hello to people you may pass every day, but have never spoken to before
49. Return a lost item to its owner
50. Pop into a coffee shop and ask to pay for a coffee for them to give to someone later that day for free

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