KindFest2023
The world’s first digital kindness festival, celebrating World Kindness Day, we’ll be back next year!
21/11/2023
🩷That's KindFest done for another year, four years done and still going strong.
🩵Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time, talents, passion and purpose to make KindFest 2023 such a success.
🧡We are deeply grateful to you all for your ongoing support for this little digital fest and we'll be back next year, for our annual run up to and celebration of kindness for World Kindness Day.
💚Wishing you all love, joy and above all kindness in abundance!
💙If you want to be involved next year, message us, link in bio. We'd absolutely love to have you with us next year.
Last but by no means least, the final Kindness in Education Award winner of 2023 is Kaplan International Pathways, and their Kindness in the Curriculum project.
Nominated by Dr Victoria Wilson-Crane, watch their fabulous film to find out more about this incredible project.
This project, created with the founder of the Kindness Factory, Kath Koschel, embeds a programme of kindness into their international student community that helps international students,often under the age of 18, to survive and thrive in a new environment.
The Kindness Curriculum features 12 themes: Positivity; Compassion; Gratitude; Mindfulness; Perspective; Collaboration; Humour; Honesty; Trust; Self Confidence; Humility; Empathy.
So popular is the Kindness Curriculum that Kaplan staff are now using the learning materials – spreading kindness and creating an ethos of kindness and a shared language of compassion and support around the whole organisation.
A very fitting and inspirational winner!
Kaplan International Pathways
Victoria Wilson-Crane
Congratulations to the inspirational Fred Featham and the Anti-Bullying Campaign, that has started a revolution in classrooms across Crete, Greece.
We were so impressed by this Kindness in Education Award Winner, who is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their campaign this year. Working with a team of volunteers, aged 9-17 years old, they have organised and implemented innovative projects to combat bullying and celebrate kindness through literature, drama, sport, and poetry.
Thank you for your incredible work and impact and Happy 10th Birthday! Here's to many more!
Frederick Featham
Pentacell is the winning submission from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine - Congratulations LSHTM on this innovative mechanism for bringing your global student community of current and former students together to support, challenge and build a stronger community together.
Pentacell gives a social boost to students as they start a new year at LSHTM, enabling connections and encouraging kindness.
All incoming students are allocated to a group of five students, they meet weekly for five weeks and share ideas for connection and kindness. The groups help create connection, combat loneliness and contribute to the LSHTM community of kindness.
LSHTM we salute you!
Team Bertho is a global platform that publicises stories from a diverse demographic of people, providing essentials for sustainable living all around the globe.
The team published 'Fuelling Hope' in 2020 a compilation of anecdotes and voices from around the globe, stories of hope which spread love and kindness.
We loved everything about Team Bertho and we encourage you all to have a look at their incredible work and offering to the world - it will not fail to inspire, support, challenge and lift you up, full of hope and love!
Go Team Bertho!
Bertho
Congratulations to and Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks on winning a Kindness in Education Award.
The Awards Panel said -
This award celebrates Professor Fieldsend-Danks' leadership of a strategy for impactful social justice and real change through people, culture and approach. Authenticity, fulfillment and kindness are indexical qualities in the process of thinking, making and living
Thank you for being with us at KindFest this year Arts University Plymouth and wishing you every success in your kindness strategy and blazing a trail for kindness in the HE sector in the UK and beyond.
Kindness in Education Award Winner
Brunel University Happy to Chat
The award committee loved Happy to Chat as it combats social isolation and loneliness in the student community.
They called it -
⭐️An inspirational programme that connects students from diverse backgrounds through the power of conversation and the creation of a ‘chatty campus’.... This prject connects students, making the community and campus happy by encouraging conversation, through which different support mechanisms can be channelled. ⭐️
Congratulations Brunel University London
and Dorothy Aiwan Yen
10/11/2023
⭐️🌟🌟 Here it is, KindFest 2023 🌟🌟⭐️
This Line Up
Today
Starting 1pm UK
🩷💚🧡Hope to see you there! 💙🩵🩷
10/11/2023
🩷When she's not founding the first digital festival celebrating Kindness on World Kindness Day....Susie is Joint CEO and Co-founder of Halpin Partnership.
💙She supports Higher Education leaders and teams, often during times of significant change. She is a champion of best practice governance and is responsible for developing Halpin’s cross-sector governance expertise.
🩵Susie is a Trustee of the Halpin Trust, and has been a Governor at Exeter College and Plymouth College of Art.
🧡Known for her thought-leadership, Susie is in demand as a conference speaker and writes regular commentary for the higher education sector.
💚In 2019 she was named as one of Unilever’s ’50 Leading Lights in Kindness’ in the Financial Times.
🩷Susie describes herself as the kickstarter of Kindfest and she will be kicking off this year's festival at 1pm UK time today (Friday 10th November)
See you there!
Hills
09/11/2023
🔵KindFest just wouldn't happen every year without the incredible skill, tech and patience of and their amazingly kind team based in Edinburgh, UK.
🟠GLO are a conference and event video and live streaming company par excellence!
GLO power KindFest each year and we couldn't be happier or more delighted. So we wanted to sing their praises and tell you all about them - check them out at glo.live
🟢A critical part of - thank you GLO and all your team for everything you do to power KindFest.
(TeamKind Shivonne would like to especially thank them for their extraordinary patience in advance of tomorrow... 🫠
🟠GLO Making KindFest Happen!
09/11/2023
⭐️We are honoured to have Baroness Newlove, Interim Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales, with us at KindFest 2023 tomorrow.
Baroness Newlove is a community reform campaigner.
She and her family came to prominence after her husband, Garry Newlove was murdered by three youths in 2007, who had been vandalising her car.
Following his untimely death, Baroness Newlove set up a number of foundations that aimed to tackle drinking culture in the UK as well as providing support to young people.
Baroness Newlove was awarded a peerage in 2010 and was appointed Deputy Speaker in the House of Lords in March 2018. After serving as Victims’ Commissioner from 2013 to 2019, she was recently reappointed to the same role on an interim basis in October this year.
⭐️Welcome to KindFest Baroness Newlove
09/11/2023
Sandra Barefoot is the Programme Development Lead for The Forgiveness Project. For over 13 years Sandra has led and managed their prison programme RESTORE. Her extensive experience in facilitating group processes exploring trauma and pain led her to question with colleagues the place shame plays in how we see ourselves and others.
In 2018 she undertook a joint research fellowship with Ruth Chitty under The Griffins Society to investigate explicitly how shame impacts the behaviours of women of lived experience of prison and discover the inner life force, resilience and ways women made meaning in order to survive. As a dance artist, Sandra understood the phenomena of shame lives within the body and as a result, she also undertook Masters studies in 2019 at the Trinity of Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, exploring the embodiment of shame and resilience as a practice of research.
As a result Sandra and colleagues created a set of conversations with storytellers focussing on shame called ‘speaking the unspeakable’. Follow Forgiveness Project
And join us at KindFest on Friday to hear Sandra talk about this work and much more. One not to be missed!
09/11/2023
🔴Thank you to Compassion in Politics for hosting LIVE at KindFest on Friday. Matt and Jennifer have put together a typically challenging, thought provoking and bang on the money hour of content that, as always, will leave us inspired and fired up!
❤️Along with Jennifer Nadel, Matt Hawkins is the other half of the incredible founding duo of this important activist movement and we are delighted that he will be joining us on Friday, along with Jennifer.
🔴Matt has led a number of social and environmental justice campaigns. He was part of the Nobel Peace Prize winning team at the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) which successfully lobbied the UN to introduce a ban on nuclear weapons. Most recently, he managed the Equal Civil Partnerships Campaign which secured the introduction of civil partnerships for mixed-sex couples.
Thank you for being at KindFest on Friday Matt!
in Politics
09/11/2023
So excited to announce that Aj Soni, spoken word artist and poet, is sharing his talents with us this KindFest.
Aj is a mental health advocate and activist.
Aj says -
"(I want) to make change for world mental health, su***de, self harm and autism awareness. I have gone through and been depressed, been in and out of hospitals, (experiencing) extreme depression...I am a survivor through what I gone through. I have been on stages and perfomed to (the) likes of Stormzy, Craig David, Roxie Nafousie and Jameela Jamil. My mission is to make a change for the world through my music."
Follow Aj at on Instagram and thank you Aj for joining KindFest this year!
***deprevention
09/11/2023
The original Kindness Queen and Hope Punk, Bernadette Russell has been a key creative force of KindFest from the start, we are honoured to have her with us again this year.
Bernadette is an author, storyteller and theatre maker who has been doing daily acts of kindness since 18th August 2011.
She is proud to volunteer as a tree planting supervisor for Trees for Cities and tells stories in parks and forests all over the UK. She is currently writing her sixth book "Radical Kindness" to be published in 2025 by Elliott and Thompson.
“Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree” Martin Luther
Russell
08/11/2023
🔴We are honoured and delighted to have in Politics hosting a LIVE session on FRIDAY at KIndFest 2023!
💯Thank you for joining us again Jennifer Nadel, Co-Director of
Jennifer is a qualified barrister, author, political strategist, activist and award-winning television journalist. She has reported for the BBC, Channel Four News and was ITN’s Home Affairs editor.
Her report exposing the use of r**e as a weapon of war in Bosnia was used by UN war crimes investigators and she’s reported extensively on how the law discriminates against women.
Her most recent book, WE, charts how to bring about individual and societal change. Her father came to the UK on the Kindertransport. She is on the board of INQUEST, a charity which supports families whose relatives have died in custody.
Nadel
08/11/2023
🟠We're excited to be joined for the first time by Yossi, a London-born spoken word artist, actor & practitioner of performance education.
🔵Yossi has been creating from the age of 12 when he began writing lyrics in isolation at school and started performing with other young people at Chickenshed Theatre Company in north London.
🟢Yossi’s unique style of poetry has led him to perform at venues like BAFTA, Tate Modern and The British Museum, and to have a series of his poems featured by MTV. Yossi’s poetry questions, explores, and portrays the modern world through the mind of a manic yet mindful millennial. Yossi’s debut EP ‘FOR SOME REASON’ is available on all streaming platforms.
🔴Above all this Yossi takes pride in his educational work with people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. He has produced multi-partnership projects including 2 Arts Council England funded projects: ‘Right to Speak – Engaging marginalised young people in social issues through spoken word’ and ‘Supporting children to express themselves through spoken word’.
🔵In the last 5 years Yossi has delivered hundreds of spoken word workshops in partnership with: schools, colleges, universities, organisations, and charities such as: The NHS, Plan UK, Counterpoints Arts, The British Red Cross, Thrive LDN, The Carers Trust and Enfield Council, to name a few.
We can't wait to see you at KindFest, LIVE on FRIDAY!
08/11/2023
🐣🐄🐮🐑Welcome back to KindFest Philip Lymbery, Global Chief Executive of the international farmed animal welfare environmental organisation, Compassion in World Farming (CIWF). 🐝🐰🐷
🐮Philip is an animal advocate, naturalist, photographer, and author. He regularly writes and speaks internationally on animal ethics and the global effects of industrial agriculture (factory farming), including its impact on animal welfare, wildlife, soil and natural resources, biodiversity and climate change.
🐔His most recent books include Farmageddon: The True Cost of Cheap Meat, Dead Zone: Where the Wild Things Were, and Sixty Harvests Left: How to Reach a Nature-friendly Future.
Thank you for being with us Philip and sending you huge hugs.
in World Farming
08/11/2023
🟠A huge thank you to Cheadle Hulme School for sponsoring our KindFest 2023, Kindness in Education Awards!🧡
🧡Cheadle Hulme’s mission is to to provide a dynamic, holistic education within an inclusive, values driven environment, consistent with the School’s foundation. Compassion and Kindness is one of their core values so it’s fitting that they are supporting KindFest2023 🟠
Hulme School
08/11/2023
💙We are so grateful to AGAR for sponsoring this year's Kindness in Education Awards. AGAR specialises in helping businesses create the kind of culture where individuals flourish and the business succeeds.
🩵From AGAR:
"We are incredibly proud to sponsor this year's Kindness in Education Awards and to be able to celebrate the work of some exceptional teams bringing compassion and kindness into education. Kindness is at the heart of Agar's work which aims to empower people to lead with courage and authenticity, shaping a future of inspired leadership and positive change."
🔵To find out more about AGAR visit:
agarmangementconsultancy.co.uk
Linked In: Agar Management Consultancy
X:
07/11/2023
💚💙We're thrilled and honoured to have The Include Choir back at KindFest 2023!🩷🧡
If you would like to find out more about supporting this incredible organisation then please follow them .org
Include is all about thinking outside the box: music, games, cake and laughter are the tools they use to bring inclusive communication to life and take us all one step closer to an inclusive world.
We couldn't be prouder to support your work and your vision of a world where no-one is excluded because of communication disabilities.
07/11/2023
We are overjoyed to have the Kindness GOAT back at KindFest this year... Professor Robin Banerjee, 🙌 🙌 🙌
Robin is a professor of development psychology and the inaugural Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global and Civic Engagement at the University of Sussex. Formerly Head of the School of Psychology, his research focuses on the social and emotional development of young people, and he works closely with practitioners and policymakers in the areas of education and mental health.
He founded the Sussex Centre for Research on Kindness, an interdisciplinary research centre focused on illuminating the nature of kindness and its impacts on people and communities.
Professor Banerjee recently led The Kindness Test, a partnership with the BBC that became the world's largest ever public science project on kindness, as well as The Screen Test, a partnership with the Radio Times that marked their centenary by exploring the power of television and radio in people's lives.
We are so grateful to have Professor Banerjee with us again and also the incredible teams at the University of Sussex. Thank you all so much for all you are doing to support KindFest and even more to bring kindness to campus each year to support students, staff, faculty and the Sussex community. We Salute You!
of Sussex
of Psychology, University of Sussex
07/11/2023
👋Welcome to KindFest 2023, Sami Rhymes, award-winning spoken word artist, poet, author, facilitator and creative from London, who also works in Project Management! 🤩
Sami uses rhyme as a means of release and therapy and through her spoken word inspires people in her community to speak up and take action. Her poetry touches on everything from identity to relationships to mental health, injustices and day-to-day experiences.
Sami is bringing THREE wonderful poems to KindFest this year - one for each tent - Community, Legacy and Changemakers!
🧡Thank you so much 💚
06/11/2023
Back for a third KindFest, McInnis is hosting LIVE on Friday at KindFest 2023!
Kamilah is a journalist, writer, presenter, musician and mental health advocate. She currently works for the BBC, producing the news podcast ‘If You Don’t Know.
Having struggled with depression for over a decade, she uses art such as her music, journalism and poetry to express herself, turning pain into power.
She also recently became an author, writing the children’s book ‘Windrush Wonders: Tales of Travel and Triumph’, with her childhood best friend. It tells the true stories of three inspiring individuals from the Windrush Generation, with all the profits going to charity. When she isn’t working, you’ll find Kamilah gardening, playing the piano and the violin, or boogying at a festival.
06/11/2023
We're thrilled to have Benjy K**i live at KindFest on Friday in conversation with Kamillah McInnis.
Benjy is an inclusion and wellbeing consultant. He helps organisations and people across the UK and the world meet their diversity, equity and inclusion goals, and create spaces where everyone has the ability to thrive and be their best selves.
As a consultant, speaker and panelist he’s worked with organisations such as HSBC, TikTok, Publicis Groupe, The Trade Desk, among many others.
He’s also built a community of 230,000+ people on social media, where he produces helpful educational content on topics such as anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ inclusion and self-care. Across social media he has partnered with brands such as LinkedIn, Google and Greenpeace on purpose-led campaigns.
In addition Benjy is the author of “Hope this Helps: How to be Kinder to Yourself and Others” a practical guide to the practice of self-care, empathy and conscious inclusion that was published in February 2023.
His overall mission is to equip and empower people to make a positive difference - in their lives, and the lives of others.
McInnis
K**i
Photo Credit: Billie Charity
05/11/2023
Hosted by Giles-Paley-Phillips and Sophie Green, the is at this Friday.
The Unquestionable Podcast is where conversations about human nature, psychology, mental health and relationships happen.
For this special KindFest episode, Giles and Sophie will be talking with Nyle Beck about emotional intelligence, neuroplasticity, wellness and mindset.
A HUGE thank you to Giles, Sophie and Nyle.
Green Fine Art
Paley-Phillips
Beck
05/11/2023
🩵Frome Kindness Festival is coming to KindFest 2023🩵
Find out more about this annual celebration of the transformative power of kindness that happens in Frome, a town in Somerset, England.
Each year the town come together to celebrate the contribution that kindness makes to relationships, mental and physical health, and to the marvellous community of Frome!
All co-ordinated by The Good Heart, a unique cafe and community space. ❤️
Back for a third KindFest, wonderful Kamilah McInnis is back and hosting live at KindFest on Friday!
Kamilah is a journalist, writer, presenter, musician and mental health advocate.
She currently works for the BBC, producing the news podcast ‘If You Don’t Know.
Having struggled with depression for over a decade, she uses art such as her music, journalism and poetry to express herself, turning pain into power.
She also recently became an author, writing the children’s book ‘Windrush Wonders: Tales of Travel and Triumph’, with her childhood best friend. It tells the true stories of three inspiring individuals from the Windrush Generation, with all the profits going to charity. When she isn’t working, you’ll find Kamilah gardening, playing the piano and the violin, or boogying at a festival. This will be her third year volunteering with Kind Fest!
05/11/2023
We're delighted to welcome Cara Cinnamon to KindFest 2023!
Cara is the Director of Impact at Mission 44, a charitable foundation that supports bold organisations, leaders and ideas to reimagine the future and empower young people from underserved communities.
As Director of Impact, Cara leads on all global grantmaking, research and advocacy work. Before Mission 44, Cara was the CEO of Khulisa, a charity providing ther**eutic support to thousands of young people and advocating for a more inclusive education system. Cara started her career as an English Teacher after joining the Teach First programme in Nottingham, and then held various leadership positions in the private sector at Procter and Gamble. Cara is from South London and serves as a Chair of Governors for a primary school in Croydon and as a Trustee for The Brilliant Club.
Cinnamon
04/11/2023
Welcome to KindFest 2023 Jodie Wickers!
Jodie is the Chief Executive of Khulisa, a youth wellbeing charity that uses a mix of creative arts therapies and neuroscience to support young people to build their social and emotional skills, relationships and educational outcomes.
Originally a ther**eutic youth worker, who herself was excluded from school, Jodie is passionate about creating an inclusive and nurturing education system where all young people feel accepted, safe and supported to thrive.
Jodie will be in conversation with Cara Cinnamon
at KindFest on Friday.
Tune in to hear about why young people in the UK need kindness now more than ever
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