This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr46zv46g6do
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| London Underground: Joshua Ford leaves notes of kindness | |
| (17 days later) | |
| Joshua Ford left 100 uplifting notes across London for strangers to find | Joshua Ford left 100 uplifting notes across London for strangers to find |
| "I want to dive more into what it is to be kind", says actor and filmmaker Joshua Ford. | "I want to dive more into what it is to be kind", says actor and filmmaker Joshua Ford. |
| The 31-year-old from Finchley, north London, spent a month leaving notes of encouragement across London for strangers to find. | The 31-year-old from Finchley, north London, spent a month leaving notes of encouragement across London for strangers to find. |
| "I was having a bit of a difficult time last year and I was forced into a position where I had to self-reflect," he said. | "I was having a bit of a difficult time last year and I was forced into a position where I had to self-reflect," he said. |
| "I wanted to do something which was kind, something I could practise some creativity and connect with other people." | "I wanted to do something which was kind, something I could practise some creativity and connect with other people." |
| Hey You, Open Me by Joshua Brown | Hey You, Open Me by Joshua Brown |
| 'Supported by other Londoners' | 'Supported by other Londoners' |
| "I love words, I love poetry, I love the power of words," said Ford, who has appeared in some films and series on Amazon Prime. | "I love words, I love poetry, I love the power of words," said Ford, who has appeared in some films and series on Amazon Prime. |
| "I just decided to handwrite 100 little cards and set them all off around London on the Tube, on the buses, all over the place." | "I just decided to handwrite 100 little cards and set them all off around London on the Tube, on the buses, all over the place." |
| On the outside, they said the words: "Hey you, open me." | On the outside, they said the words: "Hey you, open me." |
| "Inside there's a message of kindness and an invitation to connect," he said. | "Inside there's a message of kindness and an invitation to connect," he said. |
| "Out of 100 cards I got between 30 and 35 people get back in touch." | "Out of 100 cards I got between 30 and 35 people get back in touch." |
| These included people from Brazil, Spain, Italy, who picked up the notes while visiting the capital city. | These included people from Brazil, Spain, Italy, who picked up the notes while visiting the capital city. |
| Ford then turned the kindness project into a short film, using reaction from some of the people who discovered the notes. | Ford then turned the kindness project into a short film, using reaction from some of the people who discovered the notes. |
| Each handwritten note contained a different message | Each handwritten note contained a different message |
| "It was all about connecting with the people around me and feeling supported by other Londoners," Ford said. "It was amazing." | "It was all about connecting with the people around me and feeling supported by other Londoners," Ford said. "It was amazing." |
| "The project was to make me feel good, but the people involved in the project felt good picking up a card," he added. | "The project was to make me feel good, but the people involved in the project felt good picking up a card," he added. |
| "And then people watching the film afterwards felt good watching the film. It was like a triple win." | "And then people watching the film afterwards felt good watching the film. It was like a triple win." |
| The notes made their way into the hands of people from Brazil, Spain and Italy | The notes made their way into the hands of people from Brazil, Spain and Italy |
| Eloise Skinner, London-based psychotherapist and author, said it was recognised that people could boost their wellbeing through acts of kindness, even if the recipient is a stranger. | Eloise Skinner, London-based psychotherapist and author, said it was recognised that people could boost their wellbeing through acts of kindness, even if the recipient is a stranger. |
| "For an act of kindness like Joshua's, I'd say there might also be a wider community factor, since the act of kindness was on a broader level, and intended to reach widely," she said. | "For an act of kindness like Joshua's, I'd say there might also be a wider community factor, since the act of kindness was on a broader level, and intended to reach widely," she said. |
| This included strengthened community ties, feeling closer to those around us, and viewing oneself as an active member of the community, she said. | This included strengthened community ties, feeling closer to those around us, and viewing oneself as an active member of the community, she said. |
| "On a more biological level, research suggests that kindness can boost dopamine and serotonin, giving us a sense of elevated mood - sometimes referred to as the 'helper's high'," she added. | "On a more biological level, research suggests that kindness can boost dopamine and serotonin, giving us a sense of elevated mood - sometimes referred to as the 'helper's high'," she added. |
| Ted Lawlor, who runs a series of wellness events, said the "helper's high" often brings "greater satisfaction than acts of self-serving kindness". | Ted Lawlor, who runs a series of wellness events, said the "helper's high" often brings "greater satisfaction than acts of self-serving kindness". |
| "It seems like that's exactly what Joshua experienced with his project," said the 26-year-old from south-east London. | "It seems like that's exactly what Joshua experienced with his project," said the 26-year-old from south-east London. |
| He said he too had experienced the benefits of helping others and it helped him through a serious bout of depression in 2017. | He said he too had experienced the benefits of helping others and it helped him through a serious bout of depression in 2017. |
| "Transforming my struggles into tools to help others gave me an overwhelming sense of purpose and gratitude," he said. | "Transforming my struggles into tools to help others gave me an overwhelming sense of purpose and gratitude," he said. |
| "It reminded me that even in our hardest moments, we can make a difference - and that's a gift both to others and ourselves." | "It reminded me that even in our hardest moments, we can make a difference - and that's a gift both to others and ourselves." |
| 'Universal language' | 'Universal language' |
| Mr Lawlor said kindness was "contagious". | Mr Lawlor said kindness was "contagious". |
| "One small act can inspire others to pay it forward, leading to widespread positivity and meaningful change in attitudes and behaviours across society," he added. | "One small act can inspire others to pay it forward, leading to widespread positivity and meaningful change in attitudes and behaviours across society," he added. |
| "The world is currently going through a great divide, where some people are losing hope, whether that be in the system, their neighbours or their own future, and others are rejoicing in the fact that things could be about to turn in their favour. | "The world is currently going through a great divide, where some people are losing hope, whether that be in the system, their neighbours or their own future, and others are rejoicing in the fact that things could be about to turn in their favour. |
| "In a polarised world, kindness acts as a universal language that transcends differences in race, religion, and culture, helping to heal divisions and encourage mutual understanding." | "In a polarised world, kindness acts as a universal language that transcends differences in race, religion, and culture, helping to heal divisions and encourage mutual understanding." |
| Ford said he would continue to leave notes across London for strangers to find. | Ford said he would continue to leave notes across London for strangers to find. |
| "I still do it now just for me, because I really enjoy it," he said. | "I still do it now just for me, because I really enjoy it," he said. |
| "It feels nice to be kind." | "It feels nice to be kind." |
| Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk |
Previous version
1
Next version