About
Hi! We're Ollie (founder), Vee (director and collaborations lead), and Riley (director and web designer) from Ollies Random Acts of Kindness, a Community Interest Company dedicated to supporting communities through peer mental health services and expert-by-experience work.
Our Two-Sided Approach:
Community-Based Services: We run weekly drop-in sessions around Stroud, building meaningful relationships with local residents. These sessions allow us to understand the community's lived experiences while offering signposting to other organisations and direct support. Our expert-by-experience team works alongside community members to identify local needs and provide tailored assistance.
Event-Based Peer Support: At gigs and festivals, we provide a safe space for attendees experiencing mental health challenges. Our trained peer supporters offer immediate assistance and signposting to longer-term mental health services, ensuring people can access ongoing support beyond the event.
Creative Collaborations: Through Vee's collaborations work, we run a young people's digital art group - a safe space for artists to connect over monthly themed art tasks, fostering creativity and community bonds.
Our Holistic Support: Across both areas, we provide advice and guidance on sexual health and mental health, always drawing from lived experience and building genuine community connections.
Our Story: What started with hand flags at a London gig has evolved into a comprehensive support network. We collaborate with bands, solo artists, and community organisations to create positive change wherever we work.
Get Involved: Support our mission through PayPal, GoFundMe, or by purchasing a Random Act of Kindness through our website. Help us continue building stronger, more connected communities.
Together, we can create lasting positive change in both local communities and event spaces.
we can make a difference. So, let's raise a toast to Random Acts of Kindness and the bright future that lies ahead! Cheers!
Our Mission
Ollies Random Acts of Kindness is dedicated to promoting mental health and wellbeing in our community through compassionate support, education, and empowerment. Our mission is to provide a platform for music lovers to receive support, connect, and support each other through our unique products and services. We strive to create a network of informed, empathetic individuals who can provide peer support and foster a culture of kindness and understanding around mental health issues
Our Values
Ollies Random Acts of Kindness Values:
Compassion: We believe in the power of kindness and empathy to transform lives and communities.
Empowerment: We strive to equip individuals with the tools and knowledge to support themselves and others.
Inclusivity: We welcome and value all individuals, regardless of their background or experiences.
Authenticity: We encourage genuine expression and connection, especially through music and shared experiences.
Resilience: We promote mental strength and the ability to overcome challenges.
Community: We foster a sense of belonging and mutual support among our members.
Innovation: We continually seek creative ways to provide support and spread kindness.
Education: We believe in the importance of learning and sharing knowledge about mental health.
Respect: We honor the dignity and worth of every individual.
Collaboration: We value partnerships and teamwork in achieving our goals.
Random Acts of Kindness Boxes
Random Acts of Kindness Boxes
Random Acts of Kindness boxes are a wonderful way to spread positivity and kindness at gigs and festivals. These are handed out for free at gigs and festivals, or you can purchase one through our online shop! Our boxes are filled with themed gifts and notes of kindness, and we are grateful to have the support of talented bands and solo artists who have agreed to collaborate with us. Join us in spreading kindness and making the world a better place, one box at a time.
Random Acts of Kindness Mobile Van
Random Acts of Kindness Mobile Van
Our initiative is focused on creating a positive impact on the music festival scene. We plan to achieve this by fundraising to get the project a custom mobile van where we can providing a safe and warm space for festival-goers, as well as offering support for wellbeing, sexual health, and substance misuse support. To make this a reality, we are currently fundraising for a custom-built bus. We invite you to join us in making a difference in the festival community. Keep an eye on this space for updates!
Random Acts of Kindness Expert By Experience Led Training
Expert By Experience Training
Our Expert By Experience led Training offers a unique approach to mental health, autism, and LGBTQ+ education. Our expert trainers, who have lived experience in these areas, provide valuable insights and practical strategies to help individuals and organizations better understand and support these communities.
Random Acts of Kindness Community Drop in sessions
Community Drop in sessions
We provide welcoming drop-in sessions at local community hubs, perfectly timed to coincide with their established community lunch programmes. These informal gatherings offer you the perfect opportunity to discover more about O.R.A.O.K CIC while enjoying delicious, freshly prepared community meals in a warm and friendly environment.
Our drop-in sessions serve a vital role in strengthening connections within the local community. By creating these accessible meeting spaces, we're able to build meaningful relationships with residents, understand their needs better, and provide valuable support through appropriate service referrals and signposting.
Whether you're curious about our work, seeking information about available services, or simply looking for a welcoming place to connect with others, these sessions provide an ideal setting. The relaxed atmosphere of shared meals naturally encourages conversation and helps break down barriers, making it easier for people to access the support and information they need.
These community touchpoints are essential to our mission of being truly embedded within the local area, ensuring that O.R.A.O.K CIC remains accessible, relevant, and responsive to the community we serve. We believe that some of the most important conversations happen over food, and our drop-in sessions reflect this understanding by combining nourishment for both body and community spirit.
What is a Community Interest Company (CIC) ?
Community Interest Company (CIC)
As a Community Interest Company (CIC), the majority of our profits and funds go back into delivering community-focused programs, services, and initiatives. We are dedicated to providing public benefit to the communities we serve, not private profit. Our CIC structure ensures that we balance community reinvestment with sustainability, allowing us to operate more like a business while still locked into charitable/social purposes.
The History Of ORAOK!
Ollies Random Acts of Kindness began with a simple yet powerful gesture - a hand flag distributed at a music gig in London. This small act of connection and kindness sparked something larger, growing organically from that initial moment of sharing.
From this humble beginning, the initiative expanded, driven by the positive response and the evident need for community support and connection, particularly among music lovers. The organization continued to evolve, developing its unique blend of mental health support, music appreciation, and acts of kindness.
In March 2024, marking a significant milestone in its journey, Ollies Random Acts of Kindness officially registered as a Community Interest Company (CIC). This step formalized the organization's commitment to social good and positioned it to make an even greater impact in the community.
A few months later, in June 2024, the organization achieved another crucial milestone by completing its first piece of work with the NHS. This collaboration with the national healthcare system represented a major step forward in Ollies Random Acts of Kindness' mission to support mental health and wellbeing on a broader scale.
Today, Ollies Random Acts of Kindness continues to grow, offering Expert by Experience training, mental health workshops for inpatients, and various other initiatives that combine the power of music, kindness, and mental health support. The organization's journey from a single act of kindness to working with the NHS demonstrates its increasing reach and impact in promoting mental health and community wellbeing.
Bridging the Gap Through Peer Support
Who We Are
- Dedicated peer support workers with lived experience
- Not mental health professionals - we're people who understand
- A bridge between services and those who need support
- Community members helping community members
Our Unique Approach
- Meeting service users where they are - literally and figuratively
- Using our personal experiences to connect and understand
- Working alongside mental health professionals
- Offering an alternative to traditional support methods
Why Peer Support Works
- Personal understanding of mental health challenges
- Reduced stigma and more natural connections
- Informal, approachable support style
- Real-world experience navigating the system
Bridging the Gap
- Creating connections between professionals and service users
- Speaking both "languages"
- Building trust through shared experiences
- Making services more accessible and approachable
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Our Service Model
- Mobile and flexible support
- Meeting in comfortable, familiar environments
- Working around service users' needs and preferences
- Complementing professional mental health services
The Power of Lived Experience
- Authentic understanding and empathy
- Practical, tested coping strategies
- Hope through example
- "Been there, done that" perspective
Working with Professionals
- Collaborative approach
- Respect for clinical expertise
- Clear communication channels
- Complementary support services
Our Commitment
- Providing accessible support
- Breaking down barriers
- Creating genuine connections
- Supporting recovery journeys
