A GROUP that aims to spread joy around Reading has been nominated for a Pride of Reading Award.
Reading Kindness Rocks was founded by Debor Baldree in February 2018 and now boasts more than 4,600 Facebook members,
People contribute by decorating cobbles and pebbles with uplifting messages and designs.
The stones are then left in different places around town for passers-by to find said Debor, known as Debs, who lives in Thatcham.
Members are currently decorating rocks for the Coronation celebrations at Tilehurst’s Picnic in the Park on Saturday.
The group has been nominated in the Putting Reading on the Map category, sponsored by Jacobs the Jewellers and The Purple Turtle.
Debs said the rocks, with messages such as ‘follow your dreams’ or ‘let your light shine’, helped with people’s mental health, and feedback had been amazing.
“The idea is to give people a lift and hopefully make their day. When somebody finds a rock it can change their outlook for the day or even be life-changing,” they sadded.
Those that find a stone are welcome to take it but the idea is to create one of your own to leave elsewhere and spread the cheer.
Some of the pebbles have made their way round the world and one even ended up in the ladies loos at King Charles’ home Highgrove House.
One of the group’s nominators said: “Small rocks with inspirational or positive quotes (or sometimes a cool picture) bringing smiles and positivity to a great many people.
“Each rock has Reading Kindness Rocks on the back so each rock found will demonstrate the best side of the town, the caring, considerate and positive side.”
Debs picked up the idea on a visit to Florida on a trip to see her father and was inspired: “In a world where you can be anything, be kind,” she said.
She came home determined to start a scheme here. “I sat the family down and said ‘right, if you want your Sunday dinner you’re going to paint these rocks’.”
The idea quickly took hold and now there are members across the globe from New Zealand to Japan to Africa.
She runs free workshops which were originally hosted by Hobbycraft which donated the space along with all materials. Wyevale garden centre donated the pebbles.
The group has since moved to Ikea on Monday evenings. For more information on the workshops go to the Facebook page Reading Kindness Rocks.
To nominate a person or organisation go to www.porawards.co.uk where there is information on the categories, sponsors and awards.
