Excuse Me, Sorry, Thank You: A Very British Guide to Random Acts of Kindness Day

I often talk about kindness. It’s something I care about a great deal—not just as a moral good but as something important. So, while I’m aware that Random Acts of Kindness Day might seem like just another well-meaning awareness day, I don’t think we can ever have too many reminders of the power kindness holds. Particularly in a world where division, hardship and uncertainty feel ever-present, a simple act of generosity—especially one given freely, without expectation—can change someone’s day, or even their life.

Now, I know that we British don’t exactly have the best reputation for striking up conversations with strangers. And on the best of days, many of us would rather sit in absolute silence next to someone on a five-hour train journey—despite multiple accidental eye contacts—than risk the horror of small talk. We are experts at avoiding interaction, at nodding politely rather than speaking and at executing the perfectly timed sigh of exasperation when someone jumps the queue, while doing absolutely nothing about it.

What  if we shifted our mindset altogether? What if kindness wasn’t just something we turned to in a crisis or in response to someone else’s hardship, but something we embedded into the fabric of our daily lives. A way of seeing, of noticing, of being present with others—for all those mundane moments in between. The everyday grind of life is where kindness has the power to truly shape our experience.

It’s not just about grand gestures or heroic acts, but about the small, consistent ways we show up for each other. It’s in the decision to hold the door open rather than rush ahead, to offer a seat not just when it’s obvious but when it’s thoughtful, to acknowledge someone with warmth rather than indifference. These moments are fleeting, but they matter. They shape the way we connect, how we build communities and ultimately, how we experience life itself.

Consider the story of Sebbie Hall, a young man from Staffordshire who, over the past three years, has performed daily acts of kindness—from collecting coats for the homeless to distributing Easter eggs in his village. His unwavering commitment led to him being honoured with a statue near Tower Bridge in London, celebrating his selflessness. Or take Ruby Reid, a 16-year-old from Cornwall who, despite facing personal tragedy—caring for her mother and losing close family members—chooses to spread joy. Whether it’s complimenting strangers or standing up for those in need, her unwavering kindness earned her The Sun’s inaugural Saffie’s Smile Award.

These stories resonate deeply because they remind us of something essential: we are wired for connection and kindness is one of the most powerful ways to express it.

Kindness can be as simple as a smile at the right moment, checking in on a friend who’s been quiet, or paying for a coffee for the person behind you in line. What matters isn’t the scale of the act, but the intention behind it.

Grief, loss, and hardship can feel isolating but acts of kindness—both given and received—create ripples far beyond what we can see. I often say that grief isn’t something we ‘get over’—but something we learn to live with. And kindness is one of the things that makes that possible. When someone is in pain, a small act of thoughtfulness can be a lifeline, a reminder that they are seen, that they matter, and that they are not alone.

Of course, kindness shouldn’t be confined to one day—it’s something we should strive for every day. But perhaps today, just take a moment to think: what can you do? Something small, something unexpected, for a stranger, a friend or a colleague. Because kindness, no matter how small, is never wasted. It stays with people. And who knows? Maybe your one small act today will be the thing that inspires someone else tomorrow. X