At Consensus, we live and breathe kindness every day. It’s an integral part of who we are as an organisation and as individuals, guiding how we treat each other and the people we support.
But what does Kindness really mean to us? Why has kindness become one of our new company values?
For us, kindness goes beyond just being nice. It’s about empathy, understanding, and compassion. It’s about showing up for each other, creating a culture of care where every person feels valued and supported. Kindness is what makes every moment – whether big and small – truly matter.
When we first started the journey to redefine our values, it was clear that kindness was something that was woven into everything we were doing. Time and again, colleagues and the people we support shared stories of small, everyday acts that make a huge difference. And it’s not just about the grand gestures – it’s the little things that add up to create a truly supportive environment.
Take Collins, a support worker at Pool Cottage. On a day when the marketing team visited the service, bringing lots of fun activities and new faces, one person we support became a little unsettled. Whether it was the excitement or just an off day, she needed some space. Collins, with his incredible empathy, knew exactly what to do. He moved her into a quieter room and recalling the soothing effects of music therapy they had experienced together, brought out his ukulele. The song “You Are My Sunshine” had always been a favourite at the sessions, so Collins had taken the time to learn it. With his gentle strumming and singing, Collins brought calm to the room. Within minutes, she was at peace, drifting off to sleep, as the rest of the team quietly joined in the chorus.
This is just one beautiful example of everyday kindness – small moments that are happening across the organisation, making a world of difference.
Kindness shows up in so many ways at Consensus. Whether it’s taking the time to listen to someone’s worries, lending a helping hand, or simply being present when someone needs support, our colleagues are constantly showing what it means to be kind. It’s about creating a space where everyone feels safe, valued, and cared for.
Kindness isn’t just about making someone’s day – it’s about building trust and deepening connections. It creates an environment where people feel comfortable being themselves, where they can flourish and grow. For the people we support, kindness means they feel heard, understood, and respected. For our colleagues, it means working in a place where they know they matter, and where they can be part of something bigger than themselves.
But making someone’s day is often where it starts!
At The Beehive, the team has created an Appreciation Jar, where everyone is encouraged to leave little notes of kindness for their colleagues. During their first team meeting after introducing the jar, it was filled with 50 post-its, each one a thoughtful message of appreciation. The kindness shared between the team quickly became contagious.
Sandra: “It made me feel just like the jar suggests! You feel a sense of belonging.”
Nwah: “It makes staff feel valued and motivated. We feel part of a team.”
Emma: “I feel valued as their manager, that I am supporting my team well, and proud of the environment we are establishing together.”
They’ve since decided to proudly display the notes on a whiteboard. At this rate, they might run out of room for all the kind messages!
The beautiful thing about kindness is that it’s contagious. When we experience kindness, we’re more likely to pass it on. It spreads through teams, through the people we support, and beyond. It’s a ripple effect that touches everything we do and everyone we meet.
So whilst Kindness is now one of our company values, it’s also our way of working, living, and growing together. It’s the foundation of every decision we make, every interaction we have, and every moment we share.
Because when kindness is at the heart of everything we do, it creates a world where every moment truly matters.
