Life’s full of surprises and this week I’ve been reminded that: Hidden under all the everyday news of political strife, wars and catastrophes, there’s still plenty of good news to be had if you go out looking for it. Really, I sometimes wonder how it remains hidden from most of us for so much of the time …
So, what goodies have I dug up when I’ve managed to switch off from our PM’s resignation leaving us with an ever-more uncertain future, that the horrendous leader of the US is coming to visit and the UN’s report that 14 million people are living in poverty in our country?
But, let’s put that aside and look on the bright side:
First up I found – Supporting our NHS: Research has revealed that 4% of the UK population already volunteer in NHS hospitals and that nearly a quarter of UK adults have said they are prepared to give up their time to support the NHS. But, don’t worry, that doesn’t mean a volunteer will be performing your operation! They will be doing the kind of tasks already undertaken by volunteers – visiting patients in their homes after discharge from hospital, taking part in follow-up interviews to monitor people’s experience of their hospital stay, helping people to find the right department and collecting and delivering files and paperwork.
Then an exciting new scheme – The Library of Things: As more and more people are getting fed up with their house being cluttered with ‘stuff’ and as more and more people struggle to make ends meet, a crowdfunded scheme in South London has set up a ‘Library of things’ where a collection of items is available to be hired out to people at affordable rates. There are tools, carpet cleaners and shampooers, lawn mowers, an ice cream maker and even a ukulele. Although the South London scheme is the first of its kind to be set up in a library – its housed at the Upper Norwood Library Hub in Crystal Palace – there are similar schemes in Totnes, Devon and in Frome in Somerset. Borrowers can also attend practical skill-sharing events similar to our very own SouthMenders – the Southend Repair Café
And, a fun time was had by – Southend Extinction Rebellion: Chalkwell Park came alive on the Spring Bank Holiday Monday when more than 70 people of all ages turned up with their picnics ready for an afternoon of fun. Mums and dads, grans and grandads, teenagers and children played and chatted, played music and generally relaxed in the Spring sunshine. Old friends were greeted and new friends were made.
So, what was the occasion? Southend Extinction Rebellion, which has been working hard over the past few months joining protests in London and organising protests locally, decided that they wanted to have fun and meet other like-minded people. What better way to do that than a picnic in the park?
The organisers were really pleased that so many people joined them. ‘Ordinary’ people, many of whom rarely take much interest in politics but who, like XR, are worried that national governments and the international community are not taking the urgent and far-reaching action needed to reduce carbon emissions and to stop global heating. See https://rebellion.earth/the-truth/demands/ Information about the local group’s activities can be seen on Facebook
Finally – The Co-operative Group invests in Fairtrade – I’m a great fan of the Co-op so I was pleased to hear that the retailer has raised £300 million from a bond issue which it plans to plough into promoting Fairtrade, the ethically minded movement dedicated to giving farmers and their workers a better deal. Some of the cash raised from the sale of the bonds will help to cover the cost of getting more Fairtrade product, from coffee and tea to wine and bananas, on to its shelves. I’ll have to watch out for that in my local store …
As I’ve mentioned before, for a regular uplift of good news, it’s worth subscribing to Positive News For just £30 a year you’ll find good news stories dropping through your letterbox four times a year. It’s worth every penny!
This is one of a series of articles by author Eileen Peck, questioning the challenges in today’s world and looking at possible solutions.Find out more about Eileen Quote image adapted from Pixabay download.
Pictuire image provided by Gaz de Vere on behalf of Southend Extinction Rebellion