World Giving Day 🌍 13th November
- Simon O'Donovan
- Nov 7, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 9, 2025
🌍 World Kindness Day – “Little Acts, Big Hearts”
🗓 13th November
💛 Theme: Kindness, caring, and community
🌍 Simon’s Dementia CST Activities 🧠 "Boosting brain power together"
☕️ Support: www.ko-fi.com/simondementia
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🧠 Purpose
To explore the meaning of kindness, recall personal memories of giving or receiving kindness, and celebrate how helping others boosts wellbeing.
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🗣 Warm-Up Discussion (10 mins)
💬 “What does kindness mean to you?”
💬 “When has someone done something kind for you?”
💬 “How can we show kindness every day?”
Use visual prompts – smiling faces, helping hands, a cup of tea being shared, or cards saying “Be Kind”.
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🎵 Music & Mood
Play songs about kindness and friendship:
• “Lean on Me” – Bill Withers
• “You’ve Got a Friend” – James Taylor / Carole King
• “That’s What Friends Are For” – Dionne Warwick & Friends
• “Something Inside So Strong” – Labi Siffre
• “Give a Little Bit” – Supertramp
(Encourage gentle singing, hand movements, or tapping along.)
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💌 Main Activity Options
1️⃣ Kindness Memory Jar
🪶 Materials: jar, ribbon, paper hearts or notes, pens
• Ask each person to write or dictate a kind thing they’ve done or received.
• Drop them in the jar, then read aloud and celebrate the stories.
💡 Optional: Decorate jar with flowers or gold hearts labelled “Kindness Counts!”
2️⃣ Acts of Kindness Challenge
Make a small poster or checklist:
• Smile at someone new
• Hold a door open
• Make a cup of tea for a friend
• Give a compliment
• Call or write to someone
Encourage everyone to tick one or two they’ll do this week.
3️⃣ Famous Kind People Quiz
Match the person with their charity. (See below)
🎨 Creative Task
🖍 Make a “Kindness Tree”
• Cut out paper leaves and write acts of kindness on each.
• Stick onto a large paper tree or noticeboard.
• Add photos or handprints for a personal touch.
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🕊 Closing Reflection
💬 “What small act of kindness will you share this week?”
End with a group affirmation:
“Kindness costs nothing – but means everything.” 💛
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🪙 Optional Add-On
Link with 'Giving Tuesday' (13th November) or 'Random Acts of Kindness Week' (February) for ongoing themes of helping others.
Famous People associated with Leading UK Charities
Ask members to name the famous people &
Name the charities which they are associated with by their logos.
NB. There is a YouTube video of this activity here ...
Name the people/groups & name the charities from the logos?
You could play these songs when members are making their guesses and discussing the charities ...
Some extra questions:
Which Beatles song was about a Salvation Army children's home?
Which gesture did he make when he won a race?
What three words go with this gesture?
What is the name of his record label?
What was the name of his unlikely 1978 hit?
Which TV magazine show did she present in the 1970s?
Who is his famous TV presenter wife?
What colour was their first single in 2000?
Answers:
The Beatles - The Salvation Army
Mo Farrah - Save The Children
Bear Grylls - Scouts (Grand Master)
Simon Cowell - Great Ormond Street Hospital
Terry Wogan - Children In Need (Pudsey Bear)
Esther Rantzen - Childline
Vernon Kay - British Heart Foundation
'Coldplay' - Oxfam
Which Beatles song was about a Salvation Army children's home? - 'STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER'
Which gesture did he make when he won a race? - "THE MOBOT"
What three words go with this gesture? - 'DIB DIB DIB ("DO YOUR BEST")
What is the name of his record label? - SYCO
What was the name of his unlikely 1978 hit? - 'THE FLORAL DANCE'
Which TV magazine show did she present in the 1970s? - 'THAT'S LIFE'
Who is his famous TV presenter wife? - TESS DALEY
What colour was their first single in 2000? - 'YELLOW'
Name the people/groups & name the charities from the logos?
Some extra questions:
Which 1997 movie about an Irish playwright did he star in?
Who co-founded this charity with him?
Which character did she play in a number of Bond movies?
What was the name of his TV series about trying different jobs out?
Which Welsh town was 'Gavin and Stacey' set in?
Which character did she play in Victoria Woods' 'Acorn Antiques'?
What was the name before marrying King Charles?
What was the name of thsi hit 1984 Christmas single?
Answers:
Lenny Henry - Comic Relief
Stephen Fry - Mind
Judi Dench - Alzheimer's Society
Rhod Gilbert - Cancer Research UK
Alison Steadman - Marie Curie
Julie Walters - The Samaritans
Queen Camilla - Age UK
Bob Geldof & Midge Ure - Live Aid
Which 1997 movie about an Irish playwright did he star in? - 'WILDE'
Who co-founded this charity with him? - RICHARD CURTIS
Which character did she play in a number of Bond movies? - 'M'
What was the name of his TV series about trying different jobs out? - 'WORK EXPERIENCE'
Which Welsh town was 'Gavin and Stacey' set in? - BARRY
Which character did she play in Victoria Woods' 'Acorn Antiques'? - MRS OVERALL
What was the name before marrying King Charles? - CAMILLA PARKER-BOWLES
What was the name of thsi hit 1984 Christmas single? - 'DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS?'
Name the people/groups & name the charities from the logos?
Some extra questions:
Which TV show does he present with Alison Hammond?
What was the name of his drag character?
Which 1980s TV comedy series did he star in?
Who is she married to?
How old is he?
Which nationality is she?
Which character did he play in the TV sitcom 'Blackadder'?
What is his real name?
Answers:
Dermot O'Leary - Royal National Institute For Lifeboats
Paul O'Grady - Dogs Trust
Bill Oddie - Royal Society For The Protection Of Birds
Sophie Wessex - Guide Dogs For The Blind
David Attenborough - World Wildlife Fund
Greta Thurnberg - Greenpeace
Tony Robinson - National Trust
Sting - Amnesty International
Which TV show does he present with Alison Hammond? - ITV'S 'THIS MORNING'
What was the name of his drag character? - LILY SAVAGE
Which 1980s TV comedy series did he star in? - 'THE GOODIES'
Who is she married to? - PRINCE EDWARD
How old is he? - 99 (8 MAY 1926)
Which nationality is she? - SWEDISH
Which character did he play in the TV sitcom 'Blackadder'? - BALDRICK
What is his real name? - GORDON SUMNER
Name the people/groups & name the charities from the logos?
Some extra questions:
Which TV reality series initially brought him to fame?
What condition does he have?
Which ex soldiers did she campaign for (the right to settle in the UK)?
Who is he married to?
Can you name his three children?
Which position did he play in?
Where does he lay a wreath on 'Remembrance Sunday'?
What was his first hit in 1970?
Answers:
Ben Fogle – Red Cross
Chris Packham – Royal Society Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Joanna Lumley – The Trussell Trust
Prince Harry – Invictus Games
Prince William – Earthshot Prize
David Seaman – Movember
King Charles – Royal British Legion
Elton John – AIDS Foundation
Which TV reality series initially brought him to fame? - 'CASTAWAY'
What condition does he have? - ASPERGERS SYNDROME
Which ex soldiers did she campaign for (the right to settle in the UK)? - THE GURKHAS
Who is he married to? - MEGHAM MARKLE
Can you name his three children? - GEORGE, CHARLOTTE & LOUIS
Which position did he play in? - GOALKEEPER
Where does he lay a wreath on 'Remembrance Sunday'? - THE CENOTAPH, WHITEHALL
What was his first hit in 1970? - 'YOUR SONG'
Here are some other music suggestions for 'Giving Tuesday':
Can you think of any others?
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