Week of kindness aims to transform lives and support domestic abuse survivors

People are being urged to help make the world a better place for a week by signing up to Seven Days of Kindness in support of North Devon Against Domestic Abuse.

From Monday, July 1 until Sunday, July 7, people across North Devon are invited to perform at least one act of kindness per day, while raising money and awareness for the vital local charity.

The acts of kindness need not cost any money – it could be as simple as reaching out to a friend you haven’t spoken to for a long time, offering to help with household chores or doing a litter pick in your local area.

Then they are being encouraged to post their efforts and pictures on social media, using the hashtag #7daysofkindness and tagging the North Devon Against Domestic Abuse Facebook and Instagram pages.

The number seven is very symbolic as statistically it tends to take abuse survivors seven attempts to leave an abusive relationship – tragically some do not and lose their lives.

The charity is hoping people will ask friends and family to sponsor them for their week of kindness or for donations towards its ongoing work.

North Devon Against Domestic Abuse (NDADA) provides a refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence as well as ongoing support for abuse survivors and is constantly working to raise awareness in the wider community.

On Sunday, July 7, the NDADA team will be at Rock Park in Barnstaple from 11am to 1pm to celebrate and hear more about the acts of kindness carried out during the past week and to welcome any donations or sponsorship money collected during the period.

Jessica Taylor is the Community Independent Domestic Violence Advocate for NDADA. She said the charity was looking to establish the Seven Days of Kindness as an annual event which was accessible to anybody.

Jess said: “We wanted to create something that was unique and personal to the organisation and what we do, as well as something that people could easily sign up to and take part in, sharing their experiences on social media.

“The acts of kindness could be literally anything – letting someone in front of you in a queue, paying it forward by buying someone else’s coffee, or reaching out to a friend you haven’t spoken to for a long time. Or perhaps you could do some voluntary work in your local area such as a litter pick, weeding or anything else you’d like to do.

“If you wish it could be a financial act of kindness, but it doesn’t have to cost anything and you can still take part and celebrate with us on July 7.

“Please do visit our North Devon Against Domestic Abuse Facebook page and sign up, or you can contact me directly if you wish.”

NDADA is also looking to encourage individuals or organisations to host fundraising events to support the charity, whether that’s a show, coffee morning or sponsored challenges.

On Friday, July 5, people are invited to join the tongue-in-cheek performance of international drag queen and cabaret legend, Fonda Cox, making a guest appearance at the Pier House in Westward Ho! to support NDADA.

Tickets for the night of comedy and entertainment are available via www.eventbrite.com.

If you would like to take part on the Seven Days of Kindness event for NDADA, visit the charity Facebook page at www.facebook.com/northdevonagainstdomesticabuse. Alternatively email Jess Taylor on Jess@ndada.co.uk.

Don’t forget to share your acts of kindness with the #7daysofkindness tag, as well as tag NDADA on Facebook or Instagram at @northdevonagainstdomesticabuse