Since I started writing this book, Covid-19 has impacted every single human being on this planet. Like most, I'd never heard of it before, nor for that matter had I heard of the word ‘furlough’ up until recently. In such a short space of time, this terrible virus has brought unimaginable heartache to so many families and forced the global economy to its knees. Yet, despite all the pain and misery, some remarkably good things have come out of it. Social distancing may have kept us apart physically, but whole communities have been drawn closer together and entire workforces have discovered innovative ways of staying connected and engaged. In the fight to contain Covid-19, businesses both large and small have adapted and diversified, with some even utilising their innovative skills to support key workers on the frontline. Neighbours have swung into action to care for the elderly, and children have used their boundless energy and unbridled imaginations to reach out to the most vulnerable.

There has been an avalanche of stories in the media about individuals from all backgrounds and of all ages, pulling together and doing whatever they can to help us all get through these difficult times. This awful pandemic really has brought the very best out in people. Self-sacrificing acts of kindness have come to the fore, and material objects that were once held in high esteem, now in comparison to good health, seem so superficial. The world has changed forever but, moving forwards, what lessons can be learned? The silver lining lesson for me personally is the realisation of just how important three things are – mindfulness, well-being and community – since, during ‘normal’ times, these sadly tend to get pushed to one side. With the world slowing and quietening down during lockdown, I have been given the opportunity to start living more in the present moment and to notice and derive pleasure from all the small stuff. Fresh air, birds singing, clear skies, plants blossoming and the occasional hum of a lawnmower are all things that, in the past, I have not paid too much attention to but am now beginning to treasure.

I've relished spending quality time with my close family, going for dog walks, sitting around the kitchen table together, and talking! Playing board games, pottering about, reading, and learning to step back and actually enjoy at times, just doing nothing. Whilst out clapping for our brave NHS carers, I found myself waving at neighbours that I never knew existed, and when venturing out, strangers across the other side of the street have been nodding and saying hello. The extraordinary key workers in the supermarkets have been all smiles, and busier-than-ever delivery drivers coming to the front door are now always up for a quick chat, albeit from a distance. TNTs have become abundant!

Even virtual meetings with clients have become refreshingly more ‘human’, with what were once regarded as awkward interruptions – inquisitive children, dogs barking and Amazon deliveries, now being seen as welcome distractions.

Where I live, a new outward looking mentality has emerged. Everyone has been doing whatever they can, from fetching shopping and collecting prescriptions for each other, to organising social media community groups and virtual quizzes – all pitching in and sticking together through these challenging times as best they possibly can.

What has been highlighted the most to me is just how resilient and resourceful people can be when they adapt and work together.’ When we come together, when we all do our bit, and we put others first through our humble TNT actions – it is astounding the difference that can be made. It never ceases to amaze me what we the human race are capable of achieving when we really have to.

When the world does eventually speed back up again, hopefully we will look back and remember the important things that we prized so highly when all the trimmings were stripped away. My biggest hope is that we will all be a bit more flexible and open to new ways of thinking and working, and that, moving forward, we will take with us some of the kindness and camaraderie that flourished during the dark days of lockdown.

Things will never be the same as they were pre-Covid. At this point in time, whilst I'm sitting here writing this, no one really knows how everything will turn out, but one thing that I do know for certain is that, as we all continue to help each other get back on our feet and once again grow together, TNTs both in and out of work will be more relevant than ever before.

Here, in the next few pages, are just a few amongst the countless TNTs that people have been doing for each other during these difficult times.

More Than My Job

I gained a temporary position with Morrisons at the beginning of lockdown in April, primarily for routine in my life and for my own well-being, but also I wanted to help others in need in my community. I envisaged myself delivering Internet orders – but, on my induction day, that is, less than two days after my enquiry, I understood that I would be doing something different.

I quickly learnt that colleagues at Morrisons were an extended family, and I was immediately welcomed into the fold. I was to assist with the new ‘Doorstep Delivery’ service with Alison, a lady with a heart of gold, always thinking of others before herself. Alison and I worked very closely with each other.

As a business, Morrisons were very quick to acknowledge that many people in our community do not have Internet access or the knowledge to order online.

The vulnerable and shielded couldn't afford to wait weeks for an online delivery slot, so the supermarket set up a telephone service.

The elderly or vulnerable could phone in their order, which would be sent to local stores overnight, and the shopping was picked and delivered the following day.

Clearly, this service was well received, but I soon realised that, while the bags of shopping were important, equally vital were the doorstep conversations.

In the early days of lockdown, when people were strongly discouraged from visiting family, friends and neighbours, I was often the only visitor that some of my customers received. The five minutes’ chat on the doorstep was a small window of normality for people who only got a narrow view of the wider world from the media. For those shielding, their world was restricted to their own four walls, often alone.

Following conversations with ‘my’ customers, I would run small errands such as posting mail, collecting prescriptions and even getting items of shopping from Morrisons' competitors with the blessing of the management. Tesco staff were amazed when I explained that I was occasionally purchasing items that we could not supply for Morrisons' customers.

I would choose greetings cards for my customers and often post them.

Having realised how much of a lifeline we were and how lonely people were, Alison and I would include little gifts in with the shopping. These might be books or puzzles printed from the Internet, or maybe chocolates or flowers, especially if we found out they were celebrating a birthday or anniversary.

It was important to Alison and me that our customers felt that they had somewhere to turn if they needed that little bit extra.

I do not know how, but Morrisons, CEO got to hear what I was doing, and personally sent me a postcard of thanks. I have to say that I was thrilled.

I couldn't imagine that such trivia reached the top level of management, and that the CEO would make time to respond.

One of Morrisons' straplines is ‘it’s more than our job’, and many staff lived up to that.

An older couple who would definitely be described as vulnerable always came to the store for their weekly shopping every Thursday and knew many of the staff on first-name terms. As part of their visit, they would enjoy a fish-and-chip meal and a chat with the staff. As a consequence of lockdown, the café closed, but after a little detective work by the canteen staff to find their address, they cooked and plated the couple's favourite meal, and I delivered their lunch. It was a privilege to see the joy on their faces as they took the plates and placed them on the kitchen table.

The staff were amazing in supporting local organisations and charities and would often hold events or raffles in the staffroom as well as in the store.

Personally, I didn't want to take financial advantage of the pandemic. My wife Elizabeth and I agreed that my extra earnings would be spent on those that needed help, and I think that we achieved that aim.

Bob

Inspirational Message

My daughter Samantha is a medical consultant working in the NHS. Unfortunately, she contracted the Covid-19 virus.

As a family, we were really touched to see a wonderful Facebook message from the general manager and staff at the hotel that we all stayed at earlier in the year, the Cinnamon Dhonveli in the Maldives.

Proud father

When we first heard Samantha was down with the virus, everyone was completely shocked, and they all told me that we should do something to boost her morale. Hence, the gesture was a collective one, and all were happy for the bit that they did to wish her a speedy recovery.

Sanjeeva

Superheroes

Our Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Raj Kohli, has offered to write a personalised letter to the children of the front-line officers here in the Met whilst they have been working through Covid-19.

It's a lovely gesture that a lot of people have taken him up on, letting kids know just how special their mum or dad are.

He got the idea from Nick Adderley, the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire.

David Hamish

Selfless

There is an amazing mum who has rallied around all the other mums at our local primary school to make up 100 ‘care packages’ for the elderly and the isolated in the area.

Ellen Ridley collated pictures and messages of encouragement from the children, along with food, toiletries and dwarf sunflowers – she then personally delivered these wonderful TNT gifts to each and every doorstep.

What is more remarkable is that this incredible lady lost her nine-year-old daughter Jamie-Leigh a week before Christmas. Ellen is a single mum, living on her own with her seven-year-old son Alfie, who has nephrotic syndrome. She is always thinking of others.

Mums at Madginford Primary School, Kent

Chain Reaction

Last Wednesday, I woke up with that sinking feeling – it was going to be a bad day. I could just feel it in my bones. It was pouring with rain, and it was cold for the first time in weeks. I felt heavy and energyless. I opened up my messages, and my friend's father had passed away in the night. I cried for a full 20 minutes. I'd never met him, and yet I'd lived through his dying days with my friend via WhatsApp and felt part of their painful journey. We discussed how a virtual funeral might look, and I agreed to manage it for her. It would be my 14th virtual funeral in three months.

Then I opened up my calendar; overnight, two sessions for that day had been cancelled, last minute. I was almost relieved, and, at the same time, menopausal emotions rumbled through my whole body. Yep, I'd called it right. This was going to be a bad day.

Then the doorbell rang, and Mr DHL delivery man, with a big wide smile, passed me a parcel and said, ‘Hope your day goes well’. That was my first TNT. He had no idea how much I needed that smile! I opened the box and – blow me down – it was a handwritten ‘thank you’ card and a Dutch gin bottle from one of the agencies I had been collaborating with over the past few months. It had been an intense and demanding project that we'd worked on together, with me based out here in Spain and them based in the Netherlands.

They will never know quite how special that ‘thank you’ was for me. It was totally out of the blue, three weeks after project completion. It could not have arrived at a better time, on a day when I most needed to feel loved, respected and appreciated. Thank you, Lepaya. You really do deserve all your success.

That buzz from opening that unexpected parcel felt so good that it shifted my mood entirely, and, with a clear afternoon ahead, I allowed myself to find some quiet. And, in that quiet, I found myself reflecting on the people I wanted to thank and reach out to. I left voice notes and sent WhatsApp messages to a handful of people who had gone above and beyond, who had had an impact on me over the past few weeks. It felt so good to make time for others in that way as I had been working at quite a pace for some time. Some sent me instant messages back, and a couple didn't reply. Then, just yesterday, one of those people called me to tell me how much my message had impacted her. We had been working closely for weeks and were so focused on work and tasks that we hadn't made enough time for the fuzzy stuff, we hadn't made the time to stop and acknowledge each other. She had had a bad day too on the day she heard my message. Like me, she felt an overwhelming appreciation for someone out of the blue thanking her for being her.

TNTs matter. They matter because they make us feel good giving and receiving them. They matter because, when we experience one, we can't help but pass on that fuzzy feeling. It's contagious. In a world full of uncertainty and unrest, we need more TNTs. Thank you, Lepaya, for kick-starting the TNT chain!

Monica Kleijn Evason

Take a Seat

We asked our staff here at Bridges Electrical Engineers Ltd to participate in a wellness survey, focusing on new routines and home-working through Covid-19.

One of my team responded positively across the board, but made reference to missing her office chair.

Knowing that she is working from home, I drove to the office yesterday, picked up her chair, drove it to her house, sterilised it, waited on the roadside and gave her a call.

The look on her face was priceless. She clearly didn't think her comments would be picked up and acted on.

Chris Maddox

An Original

My husband, originally from Port Glasgow, had always admired a Scottish artist named Alexander Millar. This year, as a surprise for his birthday, I decided to buy him a limited-edition print titled ‘United We Stand’. As this was my first purchase from the artist, he advertised on his website that an additional limited-edition print would be sent free of charge. The cost would normally be £195, and the print was titled ‘Heading Home’.

My purchase arrived, but with no free gift. I contacted what I thought was the gallery, but in fact by sheer coincidence I got through direct to the artist himself in his studio – charming, humorous man who had so much time for a complete stranger ringing on the wrong number! Engaged in conversation, I asked him all sorts of questions about lockdown, and he chatted away easily. I explained the situation, and he said he would arrange for the free gift to be sent – he also asked if it was for a special occasion. I gave him a bit of background and told him that my husband's childhood had been in Port Glasgow, and that some of his paintings with the men in caps and big coats reminded my husband of his male family members going to work at the port on the Clyde. I explained that it was his birthday. The artist then asked me if I would like a little personal message sent with the print – a little star-struck, I thanked him for such a generous thought and gesture.

The print and message arrived on the day of my husband's birthday. We both felt very emotional receiving this wonderful gift. I held back the tears whilst telling my husband the story. At such an unprecedented, lonely time, when all our lives are filled with sad news and all our emotions are heightened, this gesture meant so much and will continue to do so, framed in a pride of place in our home.

Debs Porter

TNTs ARE ALL THE LITTLE THINGS WE DON'T NEED TO DO, BUT DO DO.

Piece of Cake

My friend left a slice of cake on my doorstep today, and it's literally made my day.

If I've learnt anything from fighting breast cancer whilst at the same time trying to stay safe from Covid-19, it's to appreciate the small things in life, like a slice of homemade lemon cake!

Samantha

Workouts to Remember

Thanks to co-owner Mikey Henry, my gym CrossFit DeltaFox has been creating and dedicating workouts to members who have lost loved ones during this lockdown.

Each workout has been completed together as a gym community via Zoom, the intention being to repeat it in memory of the loved ones on their birthday.

Michael Baxter-Connolly

Continued Support

I am a chartered town planner living in Milton Keynes, married with a three-year-old daughter. When she was born, I took maternity leave and returned on a four-days-a-week basis. I found that travelling almost an hour each way to work and the extra workload I was given made my work/life balance one I began to question. Then, out of the blue, I was made aware of an opportunity with Smith Jenkins, an independent planning consultancy in Milton Keynes, and I was invited to attend informal interviews. These went really well, and I knew this was the business I wanted to work for. I was delighted when they made me a formal job offer.

From the moment I joined them, they demonstrated their approach to supporting staff in part-time and flexible working roles which, for me, as a working mother, was extremely important.

In March 2020, arrangements were discussed about Covid-19 safe working, and when the government announced the lockdown, like many people, I began working from home. This was quite difficult, as my husband and I shared child-caring duties. It meant some long days for both of us fitting in work and looking after our daughter. Once again, I was so pleased with the support that my boss Jennifer Smith was giving me and other team members on a daily basis.

This weekend, a delivery arrived at our house. It was a hamper from Jennifer Smith and Nick Jenkins, the directors of the company, to thank me for my hard work and to tell me that they really appreciated all my efforts. As you can imagine, I was most touched by the thought and kindness shown.

It reinforced my belief that those tiny things that people do, make a huge impact.

Emily Warner

Rainbow Effect

During these uncertain times, when the world is grappling with Coronavirus, my 11-year-old daughter took it upon herself to do something to cheer up the local community.

She cut small blocks out of a piece of timber and painted them with the rainbow that is being used to signify support for the NHS.

She wrote a positive message on the surrounding edges and placed them around the village for people to spot whilst taking their daily exercise.

She hoped they may brighten up people's days.

Jo Considine

Pizza Recognition

My company sent all of us customer service advisors a gourmet chocolate pizza in the post, which was very delicious, to thank us for all our commitment and hard work in adapting to change and continuing to serve our members working from home during Covid-19.

Abby Donoghue

Locked-Down but Engaged

My company blows my mind with their kindness! My advice is: if you don't feel valued in your job, find an employer that cares about you. CDS Defence & Security consistently do the little things well, and the little things count!

They are a company with aspirations of ‘Times Top 100’ employer status, and really engage with their staff. Examples include a £10 Amazon voucher for all staff at Easter, a packet of sunflower seeds to add some happiness during this lockdown period, and, today, a ‘thank you’ card with a bar of chocolate.

If that's not enough, they have quarterly awards for staff who are nominated by other staff for innovation or contribution excellence (ICE).

There are loads more TNTs – all really great stuff that keeps me and many others engaged. TNTs go a long way!

Andy Moss

Auto Renewal

We have a car insurance policy with Admiral. Never really spent much time on car insurance, just whoever is the cheapest with a reasonable level of covid/benefits. We have been with them three years or so. Dull stuff.

But, we received an email to say that they acknowledged that there were fewer cars on the road due to Covid-19, and therefore less risk, so would be paying back £25 per car insured. We have a multi-policy, so £50.

We didn't have to do anything to get it, it was paid straight back into our account – and came with a nice, warm, fuzzy feeling. I work in the financial services world … so I think I'm entitled to say that car insurance is pretty bloody dull … but, their efforts, without needing my interaction, were wonderful. And, clever too – I'll certainly be renewing!

Chris Needham

Way to My Heart

A TNT hit me this week.

On behalf of my company, Viadex, I was having a telephone conversation with the marketing guy of a new potential vendor looking to develop a relationship with us.

We arranged to have an informal online meeting whilst enjoying a virtual cold beer together the following day. In doing so, I happened to mention a fantastic new beer that I had just come across.

The next day, a six pack of this beer (Modelo – it's amazing!) was on my doorstep along with a compliment slip. As you can imagine, I was very receptive to his pitch later on that afternoon.

Good skills, Bradley Harrad!

Elliot Read

Dry Plaice

Lovely little TNT spotted outside of Marino's fish-and-chip shop in Bearsted, Kent, today.

Just 20 minutes of rain after weeks of sunshine, and Donda the owner has provided brollies for his queueing customers during Corona.

Kirsty Patterson

Fit for Free

I was moaning to a friend of mine, Karen Turton, only last month that my local gym had closed because of lockdown. Within a few days, she had set up virtual BODYBALANCE^® classes for free for her gym members and sent me an invite to join her tribe.

Four weeks later, that kind invite now has my wife, two other family members and four friends, all keeping fit with Karen, four days a week. And still all free.

My fitness has improved better than at the gym, my network has grown across the other tribe members and I remain indebted to Karen for the little things she does without thanks or payment.

Steve Nelson

Don't Know You, but We Recognise What You Do

As a midwife during Covid-19, the shifts have a new edge. Not only are we dealing with caring for mothers and helping bring new life into the world, we are also carrying out our care with additional risk and in unprecedented conditions. Face masks and PPE may help protect, but they also keep you rather warm!

On this particular shift, on a Thursday, I left the hospital at 8 pm, just as people across the UK were paying tribute to the NHS staff by honking car horns and clapping. I drove home tired from the long day with a smile on my face, having seen and heard all the people cheering.

I arrived home 20 minutes later to see a parcel on my doorstep – homemade cupcakes and a handwritten ‘thank you’ note from the children of a family on the new development we had moved into four months earlier. I don't know this family and they don't know me, possibly they've seen something on the community Facebook page and found out that I work in the NHS.

It was the most heart-warming, beautiful gesture. Thank you!

It's these little things that really do mean a lot.

Emily

Unforgettable

Had not seen my nan for seven weeks; she is 100 and in a care home. We were worried about her emotional well-being, so they arranged to bring her to the door so we could wave to her. Then they told us they had left a card for us on the bench outside – they had asked nan for a message and written it on her behalf.

Such a small TNT, but I cried so much. This meant the world to me; I will keep the card forever.

I work for a large academy. Last Thursday, our principal sent all staff a text at 8 pm saying he was clapping for us! He said we were amazing – a TNT that will never be forgotten!

Wendy Millsop

Whoever You Are – ‘Thank You’

Last term was a particularly challenging one for all of us here at our infant school.

On top of the usual day-to-day running of the school, everyone had been working incredibly hard as a team to make special arrangements for the key workers’ children, to plan staff rotas for those working throughout the holidays and to put into place special measures to make the school Covid-19 safe. They were, to say the least, difficult, unprecedented times.

On the last day of the school holidays, I received these beautiful flowers along with a lovely card containing a few very kind words. This simple gesture made it all worthwhile – not just for me but for all the team. I just wish I knew who had sent them, so that I could thank them for making us feel so appreciated.

Liz

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.

– Margaret Cousins

Forget Me Not

My wonderful father Keith Rosewarne died last week aged 66. For the past 10 years, he has been in charge of the Fortfield Road Allotments in Bristol, and it was a very big part of his life. Being such a sociable man with a wicked sense of humour, he had, over the years, made a lot of very good friends there – whilst busy digging, weeding, planting and chatting in his shed!

Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restricting mourners at his funeral to a maximum of 10, none of his fellow allotment owners will be able to attend in person to pay their respects and say their goodbyes.

So, as a way of keeping Keith's memory alive at Fortfield Road, we have sent them all an ‘In Loving Memory’ card, along with a packet of Forget-Me-Not flower seeds inside.

RIP Dad xx

Sharon Poole

Never Too Old

I have been coaching the older generation on how to use Zoom!

Highest achiever is a lovely lady called Dorothy who, at the age of 85, is now taking part in online Pilates classes!

Sam Spillane

My Little Friend

My eight-year-old daughter Evie has a friend at school the same age as her who lives a few miles away. During lockdown, they have been talking and playing games together online. We've just had a knock at the door and found these left outside with a note for Evie.

James

Welcome Recognition

Got to say, this was a very nice gesture from the management at GAP Group Limited. Working through furlough has been extremely hard, but I was really grateful for GAP keeping me in a job.

Us five in the depot were each sent one of these today, and we were all totally shocked.

Thank you so much – especially with it being so near to Christmas, the voucher will certainly come in handy. Thanks also to Douglas Anderson, Iain Anderson and Mike Bebb.

Billy Stone

Not Alone

Having to self-isolate, my next-door neighbour couldn't have anyone visit on his birthday and celebrate with him.

So, my mum and I made some birthday cupcakes and put a candle in one, which he blew out in his front garden, whilst we, along with other neighbours, remained socially distanced, singing happy birthday and enjoying cupcakes!

Something that took very little time, but I hope made his day a bit more memorable at such a strange time.

Jo Penrose

Heroes

As the logistics manager, I am responsible for the logistics and planning around transport and traffic management on the main site here at Five Acre Wood School. In addition to all the extra new Covid-19 restriction challenges that we as a special needs school are currently facing, we have recently been met with an array of other day-to-day challenges. The school has quickly grown much larger, with a substantial increase in pupil and staff numbers. This in turn has meant a far larger volume of traffic – we currently have approximately 150 vehicles coming onsite twice a day. Myself and my fantastic team have met every single one of these challenges head on, finding solutions to logistical problems – including, at times, managing what has the potential to rapidly become a totally gridlocked site!

We all get a huge sense of achievement when we solve issues and have had fantastic positive feedback from both transport providers and parents. My TNT is from Tim Williams, the head teacher of the Loose site. One day, completely unexpectedly, he presented my team with a box of Heroes chocolates. He said that they were a token of thanks and recognition from all the senior leadership team because, in their eyes, we were heroes. This small gesture amidst all that we are going through at the moment left myself and my team ‘buzzing’ and feeling very much appreciated. Never before has a box of chocolates meant so much!

Sarah Eiffert

Is This You?

If you are the owner of this car and the man I saw in the petrol station this morning who paid for my petrol because I was wearing my carer's tunic on my way to work, then I'd like to say ‘THANK YOU’. It was the loveliest thing to start my day early in the morning!

I didn't get your name, although I really should have. It was such a lovely gesture that has honestly made my week, and I don't want what you did to go unrecognised.

Thank you so, so much.

Hope this reaches you!

Sarah Kerr

Shop for Free

Having had an idea, on the 12th of August 2020, an inspirational local lady decided to place a post on the Bearsted and Downswood online hubs asking for contributions of food, hygiene and cleaning products to equip and set up a community ‘free shop’. Lisa Marie's post was the start of hundreds of contributions by the community – the aim being to help anyone still suffering hardships during these difficult times.

On Friday, 14th August, due to a generous offer from the wonderful ladies at the Cavendish Coffee House, the dream of the shop became a reality.

A small army of 10 volunteers have collected, arranged and distributed goods every day since then. Emergency boxes are made up daily to be delivered confidentially whenever required, and the shop is open daily 9 am to 2 pm, Monday–Saturday, for anyone who needs to use it during these testing times. The volunteers are currently encouraging new shoppers to use the shop by distributing flyers and posting online.

Pam

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

– Mahatma Gandhi

Disney Experience

We here at Magic Moments children's charity may have had to put our trip to Disneyland Paris temporarily on hold this year because of the Coronavirus pandemic, but it's still humbling to bring some cheer to the youngsters from hospices who should have been enjoying the trip of a lifetime.

So, I had an idea: if we can't take them to Disney, let's try and bring a little bit of Disney to them. I raided the Disney store online for treats and memorabilia, including embroidered cushions with the children's names.

Tiny things … amazing impact.

Jon Martin – chairman of Magic Moments

Cyril the Snake

In lockdown, when I couldn't concentrate on my home-schooling anymore, my mum and I used to go on a walk. Lots of people were out walking, because that was the only exercise we were allowed to do really. One day, my mum showed me a ‘Community Snake’ on Facebook, made of lots of colourful, hand-painted stones. I said that we should do that for our community; it was something all of my friends could easily do, and it would get them out for a walk. I thought it would bring us together when we were missing each other. So, my dad and I went out to find a big stone for the head. I painted and varnished it, and then we put it in the Woodland Trust. My mum put a post on Facebook, telling people where it was and inviting them to paint a stone to add to it on their daily walks. I called it ‘Cyril’. It really took off; 212 people liked the Facebook post, and 64 people commented on what a good idea it was. Cyril has nearly 500 stones now! I was surprised that he grew so fast and that so many people wanted to add their stones. I feel proud of starting Cyril. I have taken lots of my family down to see him, and I was even interviewed about him for a local magazine!

Jude Monks, age 10

Trust

In September 2019, our youngest daughter Leya-Mae began her educational journey in reception class at school, joining her older sister Sophia, who was starting year 2. Nothing could have prepared us for the events that would follow worldwide. Leya-Mae had almost completed her second full term and was just beginning to get ‘settled’ when the school was closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ‘new normal’ was home-schooling. Both myself and my fiancée Jovita were furloughed, with Jovita returning to work in June, while I remained on furlough. We did amazing things, totally reconnected as a family and truly valued the time we had unexpectedly been given together – we were grateful. We were able to keep our children safe, able to care for them and protect them parentally – but then it was announced that schools would reopen in September 2020. There was no doubt in our minds that the children needed it, for their own mental health and well-being. One thing Covid-19 taught us is that we are not teachers, and that teachers do an amazing job. I'll never again tease my teacher friends for having 13 weeks’ ‘holiday’ every year!

Monday, 7th September, was an emotional day. Both girls returned to school. The safety measures and procedures were clearly explained to us well in advance, all credit to the school, but the anxiety we felt as parents was heightened. For months, we'd been told by the government what we could and couldn't do, who we could meet, how many people could be there, etc., and as parents we could ensure that our beautiful girls were ‘safe and protected’. All of a sudden, that duty of care was being passed to the teachers. We felt helpless. The girls were understandably anxious too.

The school were very aware that the reception class (who were now moving up to year 1) were likely to be the worst affected. They'd had more time away from school than actually in attendance. As we kissed our youngest goodbye at the gates, she was in floods of tears. Not surprisingly, she was worried, scared and without mum and dad to comfort her for the first time in six months. As parents, we could feel our eyes welling up and the raw emotion getting the better of us. We couldn't cry; we had to stay strong. We had to because we still had our eldest to drop off at a different gate, and we didn't want her to become upset unnecessarily.

The teachers then approached all parents at the gate and gave us a gift. We thought nothing of it and continued to walk our eldest to her drop-off point.

Finally, back in the car, we read the message and looked at the gifts inside. Almost with a sense of relief, we looked at each other and burst into tears. Strangely though, these were not tears of sadness; they were happy tears as a result of an amazing gesture from the school. A TNT that literally meant the world to us that morning.

Andrew

NEVER OVERLOOK THE TNTs, THEY'RE THE BIG THINGS TO SOMEONE ELSE.

Linc Cymru Housing Since Covid

TNTs are incredibly important generally in life but have never been so important as they are now. Due to our role in nursing care and the pressures we face during Covid-19 in terms of keeping carers and nurses healthy and able to attend work, we created a 70-strong volunteer group from head office to become trained and undertake day and night shifts, seven days a week.

Colleagues from our land buying team, housing, ICT, executive and myself as CEO have all worked a number of hours cleaning, washing and ironing uniforms in the laundry, supporting residents to eat meals, supporting FaceTime sessions between residents and relatives, etc. This has ranked as our greatest cultural improvement so far. The friendships created between colleagues and the respect generated through recognition of the tough job that our carers and nurses do on a daily basis is very evident. It has significantly helped to keep spirits high during these extremely stressful times.

Scott Sanders

One Last One from Me

Whilst preparing to team up with the multitalented Annabel Graham to deliver a virtual presentation to one of her clients, I happened to mention during a Zoom call how much I was looking forward to eventually getting back, post-Covid, to continuing my walk around the South West Coast Path with my old friend and walking partner, James Hill.

Having delivered my online session a few weeks later, I received in the post a fabulous book along with a very apt card containing some lovely warm words from Annabel. It is such a thoughtful gift, and I was really touched.

It has definitely made me more excited than ever about the day coming when I finally get to put my boots back on where we last left off, The Ship Inn, Porthleven!

Adrian Webster

Special Mention for Some Very Special People

As an immensely proud patron of Five Acre Wood School, already mentioned a couple of times in this book, I wanted to extend an opportunity to all their senior leadership team to say a few ‘thank yous’ to some extraordinary people who once a year turn up at the school to give over 600 wonderful kids one of the best days of their lives:

As a special needs school, we stage an annual music festival called ‘Woodstock’. It's to give our pupils with profound, severe and complex learning difficulties the chance to attend a live, spectacular ‘out-of-this-world' event. It is exactly the kind of festival that we all take for granted but which our pupils, given their significant needs, may never have the chance to encounter.

These authentic festivals are made possible by a range of local and national organisations who kindly give us their time, commitment and resources completely free of charge. They are therefore jam-packed with explosive TNTs!

Where else, for example, would:

• Greggs the bakers provide ‘all you can eat and drink' for everyone for an entire day
• Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Farm Foods donate sumptuous BBQ food.
• A well-known stage company (Panache Audio Systems) let us have a state-of-the-art mobile stage and technicians for the day.
• Professional sound companies (Gravity AV, Rory Ald Live and LTSE) source all the sound equipment and sound engineers required to produce the event.
• A dazzling array of brilliant renowned musicians and artists (kindly provided by several highly regarded music agencies – DeeVu, Live and Love Music, Avenoir and Tornado Productions) entertain our pupils.
• A local events firm (Holmsted Events) who along with the 1st Ditton Scout Group, erect huge tepees and marquees.
• FM Conway – provide barriers to ensure the safety of our pupils.
• John F Hunt Power – kindly bring along a state-of-the-art specialist power generator.
• Team Tutsham – offer horse riding experiences.
• Flair School of Dance – stage amazing dance workshops.
• SenSational – put on fabulous specialist themed sensory workshops.
• Gallagher Aggregates – who donate such wonderful things as huge boulders for people to see if they can pull out swords, King Arthur style!.

The list goes on and on (e.g. Harley-Davidson, Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue and The Royal Engineers have all regularly supported us over the years).

The staggering generosity of these organisations, both in terms of their time and commitment to our school, is simply incredible; their willingness to go ‘over and beyond’ consistently bowls us over. In a day and age when time and money are many people's drivers, it is clear that they are all absolutely committed to giving something back to the community and providing the experience of a lifetime for our pupils. They make an incredible difference to the lives of our pupils and the entire school community, and for this we cannot begin to thank them enough.

To help you visualise the scale of these events along with some of the amazing TNTs, please search for our ‘Five Acre Woodstock’ film on YouTube. Please feel free to then get in touch with us if you think you can help support future events with your own TNTs!!

Thank you,

FAWS – Senior Leadership Team

Lisa and James's News Update!

We are delighted to announce that baby Mac was born weighing a whopping 9lb 11½oz! After giving us our baby and making our dreams come true, our incredible friend and surrogate Roxanne is recovering well with fiancé Gav and her own children. We will be forever grateful to them both.