‘Meet fairandfunky and friends’ is our new blog series to get to know the people we work with, and how together, we take little steps to change the world. Today we welcome Sharron from Give A Few Words…to the blog to answer our questions. Take a read and discover how little steps of kindness spread positivity to people and planet.
Who are you, where are you from and what do you do? I’m Sharron Wilkinson from Almondbury and I am the founder of an organisation called Give…A Few Words CIC which posts uplifting, positive post out to others (in local care homes, charities and for people across our community) and also delivers positive events in the community. All aimed at trying to reduce social isolation and improve social connections.
What makes you a fairandfunky friend? We love what fairandfunky do, we are a big supporter of the planet and trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible. We only have one planet and need to look after it. We try and source from local suppliers and buy environmentally friendly products where possible to reduce our impact. On a personal level, about 60 % of my wardrobe is from charity shops, I buy shampoo bars, 5 litre soap bottles to refill myself, my fruit and vegetables come from the market to reduce plastic wrapping and I walk as much as possible to try and limit car use.
What little steps do you take to change the world? We hear negative news daily from a variety of sources (and often it can feel overwhelming). We wish to have a space which is all about positivity. Our letter writing project is a “one off, positive, uplifting” letter writing project. Every time someone writes a letter, a little bit of positivity is sprinkled and when you put this together collectively, amazing things happen.
Who influences or inspires you? And why? I have 3 main influences:- .
Our volunteers inspire me every single day, they are some of the kindest and most compassionate people I have ever met. Writing beautiful words and crafting for others, with nothing expected in return. They are genuinely amazing!
My family, friends and my dad (who died from a brain tumour at 56) has also been a huge influence in my life. When I was younger, my dad had 3 jobs to look after his family and I saw and experienced how hardworking he was. His role as a wholesale florist distributor meant that he had to get up very early in a morning and he always said that it was the best time of the day. I now follow in his footsteps and get up very early to work. I love the solace and quiet of this time and find (along with walking in nature) this time to be the most creative time of the day. He taught me too that every job is important regardless of status or money. I have cleaned toilets and packed shoe polish and tomatoes. Every job that every single person does is important.
Also Leigh Morland who was my University lecturer at the University of Huddersfield, whose energy, enthusiasm, knowledge and “can do” attitude is infectious and inspired (and still inspires me) greatly.
How do YOU inspire others to take little steps to change the world? Sometimes it feels that we can’t control the big things, but small acts of kindness and compassion, can gain momentum and turn in to amazing things. I pinch myself regularly to see how Give…A Few Words has grown from an idea to an organisation with over 600 volunteers from all over the UK, Australia, America, India, Mexico…writing. Individuals, families, schools, colleges, groups, charities, businesses…I genuinely believe the world is full of great people and great things. We just need to quieten the negative and appreciate all the incredible small things happening , harness these and amplify them.
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