Hi, I’m Catherine
The Kindness Challenge came about as a direct result of feedback I was getting from young people that the community work they were doing with me was having a positive effect on their own mental health. Over the last few years, when the world has felt out of control for so many of us, being involved in acts of compassion helped young people regain a bit of control, feel less anxious and belong.
Throughout my 30+ years as a social worker, working with trauma survivors, marginalised young people and in schools, I have seen many examples of people showing the best of humanity, compassion and connection in times of crises. Compassion has proven to be that magical key to mental health, and this program gives young people scientifically-proven skills to improve their wellbeing and mental health long-term.
Last year I trialled The Kindness Challenge in six schools, with nearly 3500 participants across year groups, parents and staff. 80% of participants reported that their wellbeing improved as a direct result of doing The Kindness Challenge. This was an overwhelming response - and the testimonies below will give you some sense of just how impactful the Challenge were.
The Kindness Challenge formed the basis for my studies at Stanford University’s Center for Applied Compassion & Altruistic Research, building on my on-the-ground skills with cutting-edge knowledge from the best in the field. I am now proud to be one of Stanford’s global ambassadors for Applied Compassion and look forward to continuing their motto “Learning by Doing” in the year ahead.
In 2023, my hope is that The Kindness Challenge will reach even more young people so they embody this unique set of skills to have a positive life. I am looking forward to working with our new schools, parents and the wider community. If you would like to learn more, I would love to hear from you.