Bristol Children to Set Kindness World Record

Primary school children from across the city are planning to set a new ‘kindness’ world record.

It will involve 400 children from across 8 schools. The aim will be to engage their communities in doing as many random acts of kindness as they can, in recognition of a project called ‘Brilliant Bristol’.

Laurence Pitt, head of Ashley Down Primary commented that "It's been great to see the energy and enthusiasm grow from the children across all eight schools involved in the project. It's infectious as we see the adults catching the positivity from the kids. Fantastic!"

The random kindness day is the culmination of a year-long ‘Brilliant Bristol’ project aimed at the city’s year 5s (aged 9 & 10) children. The project has been run by children’s author and happiness expert, Andy Cope. The aim has been to introduce the science of happiness and wellbeing to the year 5 children and for each participating school to devise a ‘happiness plan’ for their school and community.

The idea to set a world kindness record came from the children themselves and stems from the principle that the quickest way to be happy is to do a good deed for someone else.

‘Brilliant Bristol’ stems from research that shows happiness and positivity are crucial ingredients in learning. Andy Cope says “Young people are under massive pressures and the UK has an epidemic of youth depression. This project is born out of a desire to instill crucial life skills such as positivity, resilience, confidence and happiness in the young people of Bristol. Our belief is that these traits are too important to be left to chance.” 

Brilliant Bristol’ is supported by Bristol City Council as part of the wider Learning City development. Councillor Brenda Massey, Assistant Mayor for Education and Skills, said: “What better way of creating a learning culture than by having children start a happiness revolution? Positive thinking and happiness are absolutely vital in making sure our children and young people have the brightest of futures. Education is not just about academic achievement, it’s about life skills, and Brilliant Bristol has been very successful in helping to ensure pupils receive a well-rounded education, as well as spreading the message to the wider community.   We want Bristol to be a Learning City, one in which every citizen can acquire the skills they need to succeed in life.”

The project has been supported by Bristol Rovers FC, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club and the Bristol Flyers basketball team.