Nuala O'Toole of the Kindness Post Box reflects on a busy 2024, earlier this year alongside others from the initiative, the group was recognised as the Community Champion of the Year (Group) at The Impartial Reporter Community Champion Awards.

Looking back on the past year, what moments stand out to you, and why?

There are so many stand moments for us this year, from winning the British Diversity Awards in London in March, working alongside Volunteer Now, launching new Kindness Postboxes across Ni and beyond and even picking up the Community Group award at the Impartial Reporter Community Awards Ceremony, 2024 has been filled with so many special moments.  

But the real highlight is when we're out and working in the community bringing little bursts of happiness to those we meet.  That's where the magic happens.  The fact that I get to do this with my bestie Wendy Kerr and my boy Daniel makes it all the more meaningful. 

How will you celebrate Christmas?

I will be at home with the family celebrating in my sister's house.  We get together every year, and it's just amazing to have everyone around one table together and hopefully this year my boy will be home from Barcelona.

Were there any challenges or surprises this year that taught you something valuable or shifted your perspective?

Our main challenges this year have been trying to keep up with the demand for Kindness Postboxes, and getting new ones made.

Thankfully Fermanaghs Men Shed has been an incredible support to us and make our Kindness Postboxes, for which we are very grateful. 

To be honest, since the beginning of The Kindness Postbox, I have realised that people generally want to be able to do something, to make a difference to others but don't know where to start or think you need a lot of money, equipment etc to make an impact... 

My opinion is, if you have an idea, just go for it, be prepared to learn as you go, ask for help and be open to working with others.  Also expect the unexpected, lean into it and enjoy the journey.

What hopes or intentions are you carrying forward into the new year, do you have any New Year’s resolutions or exciting plans?

We have so many new and creative things launching in 2024, including working alongside Translink and Libraries NI to launch Kindness Postboxes onsite throughout NI and beyond, more story Swaps between primary schools and care homes, working alongside more organisations, maintaining those connections through the Kindness Postbox and of course celebrating our 4th birthday in April.

In addition to all this, I'm a Storyteller, working alongside the National Trust, schools, libraries and other organisations which is always a joy.

I would love to launch a storytelling festival (we are An Island of Stories after all) and in preparation for that, I am working in association with The Armstrong Storytelling Trust to launch a Fermanagh Storytelling Circle/Yarnspinners here in 2025, including some featured Storytellers such as Liz Weir,  Denise Weir, Stephen O'Hara, our newly trained Storytellers alongside members of the public.

I'm not making any resolutions, I enter the new year open to opportunities, grateful for each moment and ready to make a difference no matter how small that is.  

If you can make a difference to one person in a day, that's a good day.