The wave of kindness sweeping the globe

While the mass media has been quick to share tales about people hoarding toilet paper and virus-related violence, social media is awash with examples of others going above and beyond to help their fellow human beings through these challenging times.

“Caremongering” is thought to have originated in Canada earlier this year, when two friends created an online group to help people connect on a positive level with each other. Since then, caremongering has quickly become a global phenomenon.

So, what is Caremongering?

At the beginning of 2020, the word caremongering wasn’t part of the public consciousness.

In response to the scaremongering that has arisen following the current coronavirus pandemic, caremongering was created to help spread the opposite of panic, reinvigorating a sense of community and helping the more vulnerable and isolated among us.

People from many different backgrounds join these groups, eager to help others within their community, particularly those who are at risk from coronavirus. The most common ways of helping include:

• Going to the supermarket to pick up groceries
• Posting mail
• Walking dogs – or other pets – for those who can’t leave the house
• Running urgent errands
• Taking the time for a phone call with a lonely neighbour.

Permanent reminders of this community-based altruism can be found all over social media, with various hashtags used to catalogue a permanent reminder of the good that is happening in different communities all around the world. These tales of caremongering offer an uplifting reminder to everyone that it’s not all doom and gloom out there. 

Posts are generally divided into two main groupings:

• #iso posts for people in search of help
• #offer posts for those who are offering to help others

While these make up the bulk of posts, hashtags also exist for discussions, news articles and what local businesses are open for trading, amongst other things.
There has been an explosion of online caremongering groups over last few months, including “The Kindness Pandemic” (Facebook), which has around 580,000 members at the time of writing. While some groups have members from many different countries, others are more community-focused, only admitting members from the same neighbourhood.

On their website, the “COVID-19 Support & Assistance Community Network – Sydney” states:

“Regardless of whether you think COVID-19 is the end of the world or a simple flu blown out of all proportion by the media, the fact is that people are suffering and it will get worse before it gets better. Anyone who has been to the supermarket or on social media lately will have noticed how COVID-19 is bringing out the worst in people. Let’s prove that a crisis like this can also bring out the best”

Ripples in a pond

As well as people seeking or offering help, these groups also give various communities a platform for sharing their uplifting acts of kindness.
The #thankapostie hashtag is currently trending, with different people all around the world sharing pictures of the messages they leave for their posties. 
In various communities around the world, people leave teddy bears in their front windows so local children can participate in a game of I-spy as they walk around the neighbourhood.

The recent call to “clap-for-health-professionals” saw thousands of people sharing clips of themselves standing on balconies to show their appreciation for the brave men and women on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19. 

Originating in Wuhan, people began their nightly cheering in mid-January, with anonymous voices shouting “keep up the fight” from their high-rise apartment buildings being posted on social media. Part defiance, part celebration, the practice quickly moved to Italy, France and the UK, then Asia and the Americas. In Australia, the practice has quickly taken on, with people all over the country taking to their balconies and front porches to show their gratitude for the health professionals risking their lives in our hospitals.

Others have found creative ways to support their local businesses, buying gift certificates for products or services that can be redeemed at a later date, paying for lessons in advance, or donating what they would normally spend on a haircut to their favourite salon even though they can’t go in person.

The business of kindness

Businesses – some of whom have been impacted by lockdown measures – are not only finding creative ways to stay afloat, but many are striving to make a difference in their communities.

From small cafes delivering meals to vulnerable people, to supermarket chains setting aside their first hour of trading especially for the elderly, to the self-employed fitness instructors who are offering free online classes for those in lockdown. Other businesses are using heightened awareness to raise much needed funds for their charitable activity.

Banks are doing their part too, with most financial institutions offering relief to help their customers and members keep their head above water until this crisis has passed.

Want to help?

In these uncertain times, it is important that we all come together and support one another. As a mutual bank, we understand the importance of community and want you to know that there are many little things you can do to make a difference:

• We’re all going through the same thing, so please be kind to others.
• Where you are comfortable to do so, and it is safe for you and others, we encourage you to make sure that any vulnerable or isolated members of your neighbourhood are okay during these difficult times.
• Join an online, community-based group, which is a great way to share information and stay connected with others.
• When sharing information online, please make sure it’s accurate.

We are here for you

As a mutual bank, please be assured that we are taking all necessary measures to support and protect our members. Learn more on our COVID-19 support page.