A team GB canoeist, a professional chef and a London bus driver: national biographer StoryTerrace has heard and documented some wonderful stories throughout its existence. We chatted to CEO and founder Rutger Bruining, to find out more about these stories of bravery, kindness and triumph across Britain during the coronavirus pandemic.
Britain's national biography writers StoryTerrace have documented hundreds of life stories, recently turning their focus to a charity book, about inspiring stories that have come out of the lockdown. It's hoped that these stories will be an inspiration for future generations and families. But they're also so uplifting after a summer spent in lockdown, and an uncertain winter ahead.
Spending more time at home without the distractions of normal everyday life led people across the country to develop a desire to record the tales of their lives and those of their close family and friends.
The charity book – out in November – shares a selection of the most inspiring, uplifting and unbelievable life stories StoryTerrace have documented this summer, whittled down from hundreds of tales that StoryTerrace's professional biographers have recorded from across Britain.
2020 has been a tough time for most people's mental health. However, it has made a lot of us examine the way we live and make changes which serve our wellbeing. A recent study found people have become kinder and more altruistic since the pandemic began. It also helps foster connection, which is crucial for our psychological health.
That's why we're inspiring kind acts with #PledgeKindness for World Mental Health Day. We asked Rutger more about his definition of kindness, and share a little about the stories he's heard over the years.
Through your experiences hearing and sharing others’ stories with StoryTerrace, what does kindness mean to you?
"I’ve been lucky enough to play a part in documenting thousands of life stories over the course of several years, and the process has redefined what kindness means to me.
"Whilst kindness in all its forms is something to be celebrated and encouraged, it’s easy for many people to be kind to those close to them and treat them with love and respect. After hearing and sharing so many incredible life stories from all around the world, I’ve come to understand that true kindness is exhibiting acts of selflessness, respect and humanity for anyone, and being able to empathise with others no matter how different their situation, background or beliefs are to yours.
"This empathy is one of the core values around which StoryTerrace was built, and is an essential quality to have when carrying the responsibility of something as sensitive and personal as recording someone’s entire life story. Being able to treat people who are different than you with love and respect regardless of whether you have things in common is such a wonderful quality, without which our writers could not do their job.
"Finally, I would say that kindness is when you go out of your way to do something nice for someone, with no ulterior motive and without expecting anything in return. In fact, around half of the projects we work on come to us in the form of gifts."
In your opinion, why is kindness important?
"This is a question that can be answered very simply! Without kindness, the world would be a very cold, hard and unforgiving place to live.
"Humans are, by their very nature, imperfect. Every day across the world, millions of people make mistakes and find themselves in need of help, and there is not a single life story that is completely devoid of low points, unfortunate incidents, and periods of considerable adversity. When faced with these moments or periods of difficulty, grief or hardship, it is often the kindness of others that is vital in getting you back on track. Without kindness, whether that be from friends, family members or even complete strangers, the repercussions would be felt by just about everybody on earth.
"This is why kindness is important on a grand scale, but even small acts of kindness in everyday life can have a hugely positive effect – something which I have personal experience of. Some years ago, I participated in the New York marathon along with a group of my friends. After 25 miles completed, I passed out in the last mile and ended up in hospital suffering from amnesia! A few hours later, my friends found me and presented me with a medal. I was thrilled to see them and the memories started to come back to me, but I initially refused the medal as I didn’t complete the required 26 miles. One of my friends set my mind at ease by saying 'we got given an extra medal when we finished, and you suffered more than most!'.
"Since I was lying in a hospital bed, accepting what I thought was a spare medal for my troubles lifted my spirits and turned what was a very confusing and scary experience into a great memory. My friend who presented me with the medal died a few years later, and it was only at his funeral that I discovered that the medal he had given me had not been a spare – he’d given away his only medal and proof that he had completed the New York marathon, just to make me feel better.
"It’s little acts of kindness like this that can leave a lasting impression and form some of the most treasured memories of your life."
What’s the most memorable act of kindness StoryTerrace has documented?
"We’ve documented well over a thousand life stories so far, so picking one act of kindness out is impossible. However, there are a two examples from stories we’ve recently documented that display some true acts of kindness...
"Firstly, a man in his 30s from the Belgian city of Gent has spent years tirelessly planting and tending to gardens in people's front porches all across the city, in an effort to brighten up people’s homes and add some greenery to the neighbourhood. He has done this entirely of his own volition and does not accept any money for his work – this kindness saw him awarded with the "Community Award" from the city of Gent in 2019, and has become a bit of a local celebrity in the neighbourhood!
"We also recently documented the lives and history of a family whose house tragically burned to the ground in a fire, and the family lost all of their possessions in the process. When the family who owned the local convenience shop heard of the tragedy, they invited the unfortunate family to come to the shop and take whatever they needed to get them back on their feet, without having to pay for a single item. This helped the family cope with devastating loss and saw them through the first few days and weeks whilst they organised their affairs."
Kindness matters now more than ever. Join us and our friends at @bauermedia on our mission to make the UK kinder by pledging an act of kindness today. Help us get to 10,000 pledges by #WorldMentalHealthDay on 10th October!
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