Kind-hearted housing staff donate over £12K and counting for local causes

We’ve all heard the mantra “Be Kind”, but staff at a Neath Port Talbot housing association are quite literally putting their money where their mouth is.

Employees of Baglan-based Tai Tarian have signed up to have a portion of their wages deducted every month and put in the organisation’s “Act of Kindness” fund.

It was set up two years during the Covid pandemic and has now reached over 12 thousand pounds.

Rebecca Thomas is Tai Tarian’s Economic and Social Regeneration Manager. She explained the thinking behind the fund:
“The money is distributed by a working group to charities or community causes such as Christmas dinners to those who may not otherwise receive them.

“However, the cost-of-living crisis has seen an increase in demand and so over February and March we are planning some in-house fundraising events to help boost the coffers.”

The fund aims to help local good causes, charities or by purchasing essential items for individual tenants who may be experiencing a particularly tough time.

Rebecca continued:
"The Act of Kindness Fund works on a referral and case-by-case basis, at any time. We also work with people in the community, such as local councillors, local area coordinators and community volunteers, to identify people that would benefit from the scheme."

So far Tai Tarian staff will be taking part in fitness events and a St David’s Day bake sale but they are also looking to tap into the spirit of Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17^th.

Rebecca said:
“On Random Acts of Kindness Day we will be looking at how our teams can find different ways to spread kindness in the local community. Our aim is that the small acts of kindness make a big difference to peoples’ lives.”