Pandemic Kindness Movement
Love and belonging
Love and belonging describes the human need for social connection. In this level of the pyramid, our needs are met through relationships with others that are based on inclusion and acceptance. COVID-19 is challenging our relationships across our society. We keep our distance physically, which means keeping connected emotionally is more important than ever.
The resources in in this section can help to build connection with others and renew our shared humanity. We each have great strength, and we can bring out the best in ourselves and others when we are more aware of the practical ways we can build a deeper sense of belonging.
Love and belonging is built on the foundation of safety – when we are free from the fear of harm or judgement we can connect with people with compassion and kindness.
Love and belonging creates the relationships with people that allows us to feel grateful and valued – to experience esteem.
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Poetry Unbound
An invitation to immerse yourself in a single poem, guided by Pádraig Ó Tuama. Short and unhurried; contemplative and energizing.
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The Hug Exchange
This is a free to access project where the Department of Kindness (UK) and Compassion Revolution (AUS) have collaborated to collect and recycle hugs.
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Physician buddy system
Healthcare workers, not least during a pandemic, have a shared reality that unites them. This common lived experience means colleagues are often ideal people to talk to for emotional support. This short article outlines the impact a simple and free buddy system can have on health physicians.
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Peer support programs
This brief article outlines the benefits of peer support during a crisis and explains the six fundamental elements of a successful peer support program.
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Stress first aid
A one-hour video featuring a talk from Patricia Watson, PhD, National Centre for PTSD covering wellbeing in disasters, the importance of peer support, obstacles in implementing solutions, the causes of stress injury, and the stress first aid model.
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The Keep Going song
A beautiful song written and performed by Abigail and Shaun Bengson to encourage us all to keep going and stay connected. The song has had more than 400,000 views since it premiered in October 2020.
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ED Musos perform "A Whole New World"
The ED Musos are a group of healthcare workers from emergency departments across Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, the UK and the USA. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the group have come together to make music to lighten our moods, connect with others and to give us the strength to work in this environment. This adaption of “A Whole New World” was performed in July 2020.
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Podcasts, poetry and meditation; a care package for care givers
This website features a collection of podcasts, poetry and meditations to support care givers during this time of crisis.
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TED Talk: The human skills we need in an unpredictable world
Imagination, humility, bravery are needed more than ever right now. In this TED Talk, Margaret Heffernan discusses how relying on technology to make us efficient reduces the skills we have to confront the unexpected. Learn about the messy skills required to solve problems in an unpredictable age. Margaret says "We are brave enough to invent things we've never seen before. We can make any future we choose."
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Clinician-led program: how compassion can sustain and protect you
In this short program, you will learn about the neuroscience of compassion; dispel professional myths, learn about the amazing impact it has on patient care and health professional wellbeing, and learn a daily practice to strengthen your compassion (and self-compassion) and loving kindness. No charge for healthcare workers.
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Compassion revolution podcast
This 10 minute weekly podcast focuses on compassion, love and kindness. It is recorded by Mary Freer who is a coach, leader and change-maker who aims to create the tools for people to work in the world without fear.
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Taking care of our colleagues
Watch this short video of Professor Michael West, Senior Visiting Fellow at The Kings Fund, who shares his warm advice about how to support colleagues during the pandemic.
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The art & science of looking up
This report uncovers why the simple act of looking up and out transforms our brains, bodies, relationships and experiences of the world. It brings together the research and work of neural and systems complexity expert Dr Fiona Kerr.
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Framing COVID-19
At this uniquely challenging time, we need ways to explain health, enhance community, offer hope and connect people to the broader picture. The Frameworks Institute offers insights into how we might frame COVID-19. Every few days, the institute shares ideas that can help us amplify the values of justice, inclusion and interdependence.
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SuperFriend: COVID-19 support guide
The SuperFriend organisation supports workplace mental health. This support guide aims to help you maintain your own wellbeing and support your staff. The resources include a wellbeing checklist, connecting with a buddy and accessing formal support.
The Pandemic Kindness Movement webpages are created by clinicians across Australia and hosted by the NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI). Provision of these links and resources does not imply endorsement nor recommendation from the ACI or NSW Health.