Happy List 2015: 'What could be better than helping others?'

Last year's Happy Listers tell how our annual celebration of good deeds helped their causes

Robert Williams of The Kindness Offensive: ‘The list is revolutionary’

It was while working as teachers at an inner-city girls’ school in north London that Charly Young and Becca Dean became aware that something crucial was missing. “We had 15-year-olds asking things like ‘What’s a barrister?’ and ‘Are there female lawyers?’”, Ms Dean said. “My jaw hit the floor. They had no idea girls could do those kinds of jobs.”

Many of the pupils came from families who spoke little English, and lacked female role models who could encourage them to reach their potential. The situation inspired the teachers to set up a mentoring programme called The Girls’ Network. In 2012 they began working in London’s poorest communities, connecting girls aged 14 to 19 with women from a range of industries.

Since then the project has become a thriving network of more than 1,000 women and girls, and last year Ms Young and Ms Dean were among the 100 honoured on The Independent on Sunday Happy List.

“It felt incredible to get that recognition, and so many people who saw the list got in touch about becoming a mentor,” said Ms Young. “That helped us to think bigger and take the next step to expand into Brighton, Portsmouth and Liverpool.”

The women’s fellow Happy Lister Robert Williams is busy building up a different network which everyone is encouraged to join. In 2008 Mr Williams and three friends set up The Kindness Offensive, describing themselves as “creators of the world’s largest random acts of kindness”.

Over the past seven years, the group has enlisted thousands of volunteers to work on feel-good projects, such as delivering Christmas presents to 15,000 disadvantaged children.

“There was a real influx of people joining our mailing list after seeing me on the Happy List,” said Mr Williams. “It was thanks to such phenomenal support that last Christmas, for the first time, we were able to reach every child who wouldn’t otherwise receive a gift.”

Next, The Kindness Offensive is opening a centre to teach techniques for job interviews to those struggling to find work, as well as working with Russell Brand on a café that employs former drug addicts.

Robert Williams of The Kindness Offensive: ‘The list is revolutionary’

But it is Mr Williams’ commitment to inspire ordinary people to make the world a better place that earned him more nominations than any other individual on last year’s list. “If you’re going to be honoured for anything, what could be better than for making others happy?” he said.

“It should be part of the struc ture of society that people get rewarded for doing good things. There should be a Minister for Happiness, just as there is a minister for everything else. That’s why I think the Happy List is revolutionary; there should be much more like it. Everyone has the chance to improve the lives of others.”

You can now nominate similar unsung heroes and heroines for 2015’s Happy List. We want to celebrate people whose kindness and bravery help to make Britain a happier and more caring place, and who have gone unrecognised outside their own communities.

This year’s Happy List will be announced in a special section of the newspaper in June, and all the chosen 100 Happy Listers will be invited to a celebratory reception hosted in their honour by luxury hotel group Grange Hotels (www.grangehotels.com) in central London this summer.

This year each entry will receive the additional accolade of being put forward for extra recognition at the JustGiving 2015 Awards in September.

“The best thing about being on the list is it made us feel part of a wider network of people who are all working hard at something they believe in,” said Ms Young. “It feels very humbling to be part of that community, and encourages you to work even harder.”

thegirlsnetwork.org.uk

thekindnessoffensive.com

How to nominate

These volunteers, by their nature, are not generally attention-seekers, so we need your help to find those who deserve to be celebrated in your area.

All we require are a few details about the individual you are nominating - including their name, age and, if possible, a way to contact them – and the reason why you’re putting them forward.

Nominations from all corners of the UK, all cultural backgrounds, and people from all parts of the community are welcome.

Please nominate online by going to independent.co.uk/happylist, via

email to happy@independent.co.uk or by writing to: Lisa Markwell, Editor, The Independent on Sunday, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF.

The selected entries will be revealed in The Independent on Sunday’s Happy List 2015 in June. Individuals cannot nominate themselves.

Follow us at twitter.com/HappyList100 and facebook.com/IndependentHappyList

The Happy List is in proud partnership with Grange Hotels