A small act of kindness can change the world

In a world that at times often seems to be focused on the negative aspects of life and those that do wrong in the world, it’s important to recognise and celebrate resilience and acts of kindness that bring people together and create positive change.

Let kindness blossom

At Central Credit Union (CCU) we believe that kindness is a fundamental aspect of building strong, compassionate communities. In the heart of every community lies the potential for kindness to blossom, especially among our youngest members.

The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the abundance of kindness and resilience that lies within our community; especially among our youngest members. With this in mind, in 2020 the ‘Eileen K Halligan Kindness and Resilience Awards’ were established to recognise and celebrate young people who exhibit these qualities.

Eileen Halligan, one of our founding members and long-serving CEO, believes through recognition, we empower our future leaders, shaping a community where the roots of kindness run deep. In honouring these ambassadors of goodwill, we nurture a culture that blossoms with positivity and shared humanity.

The Kindness Award, aims to recognise a young individual who spreads unconditional, unwavering, and selfless kindness among their community.

The recipient of this will represent and emanate most, if not all, of the following criteria:

• Exemplify traits of generosity, teamwork, compassion, and ethics.
• Have a positive attitude toward classmates, school, and the community.
• Display an understanding and appreciation of civic responsibility.
• Possess strength of character and the courage to do what is right.
• They should exhibit kindness.

The award also comes with a monetary prize of £500.

Nominations for the Kindness Award will come from local primary schools who we work with in partnership through the Just Finance Foundation LifeSavers Financial Education programme and school savings clubs. You can find out more about the LifeSavers programme here.

This award serves as a reminder that acts of kindness have a profound impact on individuals and communities. It highlights the ripple effect that even small acts of compassion can create, inspiring others to embrace kindness in their daily lives.

Recognising resilience

It is not only kindness that is recognised. Alongside this award is the ‘Eileen K Halligan Resilience Award.’

The aim of this award is to celebrate and encourage qualities that contribute to a child’s resilience; emphasising the development of skills and attitudes that enable them to navigate the ups and downs of life with strength and positivity.

There is an abundance of resilient young individuals in our communities. This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated resilience in a single event or over a course of time.

The recipient of the this award will represent and emanate most, if not all, of the following criteria:

• The ability to persevere and remain determined in challenging situations.
• Can easily adapt to changes, whether it’s transitioning to new situations, overcoming setbacks, or adjusting to different learning environments.
• Exhibit effective problem-solving skills and can find solutions when faced with difficulties or conflicts.
• Maintain a positive attitude despite challenges, fostering optimism and resilience in the face of adversity.
• Understand the importance of seeking help when needed, whether from family, peers, or support services, demonstrating a healthy approach to coping with challenges.

The award also comes with a monetary prize of £500.

These criteria aim to identify and celebrate young people who exhibit a positive and proactive approach to overcoming obstacles and building essential life skills.

Nominations for the Resilience Award are for those aged 7 to 16 years old, and only one nomination per school or organisation within the Liverpool City Region.*

Who will win?

Who embodies kindness and resilience in the Liverpool City Region?

Nominations for this year’s awards have now closed. So keep an eye on our social channels and communications to find out who the winners of the ‘Eileen K Halligan Kindness and Resilience Awards’ 2024 will be!

*The Resilience Award nominations will extend to our full common bond area from 2025.