A kind word or action can change your day for the better. It can boost happiness and inspire you to do good deeds for others.
In fact, it was kindness that drove the Sunshine Coast Council and Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service to join forces in the launch of a new campaign promoting kindness.
The Cool to be Kind campaign officially launched in February. It supports local businesses and industry doing it tough in the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Workers face increased customer aggression
Sunshine Coast Council Mayor Mark Jamieson says workers across many sectors, including hospitality, retail, transport, medical and administration had experienced an increase in customer anger and abuse. And it’s not cool.
He says the Cool to be Kind campaign will generate widespread community awareness of the importance and benefits of treating staff and others in the community with kindness and respect.
“It’s all about encouraging a culture of kindness here on the Sunshine Coast,” Jamieson says.
“We know times have been tough, but many workers who are copping abuse have been providing us with much needed goods and services since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“They roll up their sleeves to help customers, clients and patients, putting on a brave face, giving us a smile as they go about their work.”
Jamieson says staff shortages and supply issues are also having big impacts across the region and country.
“No business wants to inconvenience their customers,” he says. “But some problems are unavoidable and staff don’t deserve to be treated poorly by customers.”
Kindness campaign necessary in tough times
Sunshine Coast’s Roz White, co-owner and operator of White’s IGA Group, says the campaign is very much needed.
“Throughout the pandemic our store teams have been directly impacted by constant change and uncertainty,” White says.
She says there has been supply disruption due to peak demands. An abnormal level of staff absenteeism due to a surge in COVID-19 cases has also affected stores.
“It has been a tough few years for our team members,” White says.
She said the supermarket and its staff are trying hard to support the local community. However, their focus is on keeping everyone safe and well.
“We are passionate about delivering the best quality experience to our customers and we appreciate every kind gesture,” White says.
“Even something as simple as a ‘thank you’ or ‘have a nice day’ can make all the difference.”
Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service CEO, Dr Peter Gillies said kindness and compassion were key to a healthy community.
“We all have a role to play in keeping our community healthy and one way to do that is be kind to one another,” Dr Gillies says.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone, and things can get a little frustrating, but it’s now time for us to work together, support one another and move our community forward.
“Remember, we’re all in this together and we’re all doing the best we can.”
The Cool to be Kind campaign features unbranded videos, posters and marketing content for everyone to use,
#BeKindSC #KindIsCool #HealthySmartCreative
