Give

Giving to others is important for mental health and wellbeing because it promotes positive emotions, strengthens relationships, and creates a sense of purpose. Acts of kindness, such as volunteering, supporting a friend, or helping within the community, can increase feelings of happiness and satisfaction while reducing stress.  

 Giving also helps build social connections and encourages empathy, which can improve overall emotional wellbeing. Whether through small everyday gestures or larger acts of generosity, giving benefits both the person receiving support and the person offering it, contributing to a stronger sense of belonging and a more positive outlook on life. 

Small steps

• Say thank you or give a compliment 

• Help one of your peers with notes or revision 

• Take a moment to check in on a friend 

Ideas

• Volunteer through Staffordshire University volunteering programmes 

• Get involved with Students’ Union campaigns or events 

• Support local charities or community groups in Stoke-on-Trent 

Learn more

• Staffordshire University Students Union' Volunteering

• VAST (Voluntary Action Stoke-on-Trent) 

• Do-it (UK volunteering platform) 

• Book: The Kindness Method – Shahroo Izadi