People United led an international be kind campaign for World Kindness Day in 2017.

Across the world people took part in making and displaying ‘be kind’ signs to spark acts of kindness and spread positivity.

In the UK, People United lit up community venues, homes and public spaces by gifting ten neon be kind signs to kindness champions, community groups and organisations. The signs supported people to initiate local creative kindness programmes.

Illustrator Kate Willis-Crowley and photographer Jason Pay were commissioned by People United to make colouring sheets and posters featuring the be kind neon signs to support international participation.

Download be kind colouring sheets

The project reached 20,000 people through workshops, events and digital downloads.

The ten neon signs were gifted to:

  • Paintings in Hospitals, London
  • The Olive Tree Community Café in Swindon, Wiltshire
  • 2nd Rainford Rainbows Girlguiding, Merseyside
  • NHS Highlands, The Isle of Bute
  • New Writing South, Brighton
  • Northwick Primary School, Canvey Island
  • Hull Libraries, East Yorkshire
  • Rhymney Library, South Wales
  • Bernadette Russell, London
  • Kent Children’s University, Maidstone
  • The Olive Tree Cafe, Swindon
Photo of a woman in a cafe wearing an apron and name badge. She is smiling and pointing to a green neon sign above a doorway that spells out
'be kind' Campaign
A group of ten young adults wearing purple t-shirts. Five women and a man stand at the back holding extra large black booklets that say Children's University, passport to learning on the front. Four females are crouched in front of them holding a yellow neon sign that reads be kind.
'be kind' Campaign
Digital artwork. A photo looking out from the shore at mostly calm seas with a small wave breaking nearby and a blue sky with a couple of small white clouds. Where the wave is breaking is a large neon sign spelling out the words 'be kind' in yellow and pink lighting.
'be kind' Campaign © Jason Pay
Digital artwork of a photo taken from a stage looking out over tiered rows of red theatre seats. Along one row is a giant neon sign spelling out 'be kind' in pink and yellow light.
'be kind' Campaign © Jason Pay
Digital artwork showing a photo of wild scrubland next to the edge of a forest. Along the tree line are giant neon letters that spell out 'be kind'. The orange and pink light from the sign is shining over the trees and scrubland.
'be kind' Campaign © Jason Pay
A photo of the upper level of a concrete car park with a large neon sign spelling out
'be kind' Campaign © Jason Pay
Digital artwork showing a photo of a room with various chairs, rugs, framed paintings, pieces of furniture and lights. On a yellow chaise longue in the centre of the room is a neon sign spelling out the words 'be kind' in pink and yellow light.
'be kind' Campaign © Jason Pay
A hand drawn colouring poster depicting clouds, birds, a pair of hands reaching up, and the words
'be kind' Campaign by Kate Willis-Crowley
A black and white illustration/line drawing designed to be coloured in by the user. The words
'be kind' Campaign by Kate Willis-Crowley
A black and white illustration/line drawing designed to be coloured in by the user. The words
'be kind' Campaign by Kate Willis-Crowley
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