Year 3 pupils at Dawpool CE Primary in Chester Diocese have been on a mission to spread kindness in their local community as part of their action project for the KS2 Archbishops’ Young Leaders Award.  

The pupils decided that showing kindness to others and making people smile was very important, especially after the Covid pandemic. They decided to make kindness packages, which included a cake bar, a tea bag and a positive message, and the pupils then personally delivered them to shops and businesses in the local area to make local shoppers and business owners smile. The Kindness packages had a huge impact on the local community, with many local businesses sharing photos and messages of thanks on social media plus numerous emails and thank you cards which were sent to the school from local residents.  

"The children had passed one of their gift packs to a lady shopping in the village convenience store. This lady emailed us to tell us that her mother was extremely poorly and she had deliberately gone shopping to try to find something that her mother would eat. The lady had taken the gift pack home and her mother ate the cake bar that was contained within." AYLA Teacher

Pupils also attended the local Parish church to sing some songs to the congregation, giving out biscuits they had baked themselves and their kindness packages. Several parishioners were housebound, so the pupils also visited them and sang to them on their driveways, before giving out more kindness packages.  

"The pupils’ random acts of kindness day came at the perfect time shortly after all covid restrictions had lifted. The pupils were able to bring joy to their local community by singing in the village and at home addresses. Whilst doing so, they attracted attention of other residents and brought neighbours together. There were tears from the housebound parishioners (and relatives) who were so touched by the thoughtfulness of the children." AYLA Teacher

The Year 3 pupils also got involved in other aspects of social action. They raised £200 for Christian Aid, prepared meals for their families, walked dogs, read to siblings and even wrote to the local council to campaign for safer roads.  

A teacher at Dawpool CE Primary spoke of the impact the Archbishops’ Young Leaders Award has had on the pupils and the local community.

‘The AYLA gave the children a comprehensive understanding of community which was much needed following the isolation that Covid 19 lockdowns created. Pupils were empowered to engage with people again and develop self confidence in speaking with members of the community…our children were able to witness how their actions brought joy.’

To find out more about the Archbishops’ Young Leaders Award, please click here