KIDKIND

I’ll keep this brief otherwise I’ll go on forever. I’m down with Nelson Mandela when he said:

"The true character of a society is revealed in how it treats its children."

When you start off on the lower rungs of the ladder, the first hurdle you face is often your own self-belief. The challenge to be your own best friend rather than your own worst enemy. It's difficult to be your own cheerleading squad especially when your environment is booing you from the stands. If you're not getting that support from your parents/caregivers (because they themselves may never have received it) then it's tough to find it within yourself.

I was one of those kids though definitely not the worst off. I had periods in my childhood that we would now define as poverty, but I'm one of the lucky ones who found a way out. A little later than is typical, I clawed my way up to an education which is a currency denied to so many in this world.

For me, Kidkind represents the encapsulation of a vision, a set of principles that define what I’m all about. I don’t know where all this leads but I have a huge amount of energy for challenging the opportunity imbalance for some children, and if I do then you might too.

In practice, Kidkind is a non-profit social enterprise where I essentially raise money towards child-focussed good causes. Does that sound pretty vague? It’s because I’m still working it out, boss!

I’ve been massively inspired by the charities I’ve volunteered with: Ministry of Stories, The Kids Network and Hackney Pirates, they’re all doing incredible work and I support them as much as I can.

I’ve learned that mentoring a child is a hugely valuable experience for them and also for the mentor. You become your better self when you’re putting someone else’s needs first.

I’ve also learnt there are a staggering lack of male mentors at a time when we need good men to step forward the most. One day I’ll get the hashtag #EveryManaMentor trending but in the meantime I’ll drop here the immortal words of alternative hip-hop artists Jurassic Five:

“You’re either part of the problem or you’re part of the solution, what’s your contribution to life?”

BTW - Why ‘Kidkind’? A wonderful French gentleman once said to me, “kids are the way we save humankind,” and I thought YEAH! I say let’s put kindness on the curriculum and not only because it has a lovely alliteration.

Final words go to Guillermo del Toro, from his director’s commentary for Pan’s Labyrinth:

"We must treat children as though they were ambassadors from a higher culture."

Love that. This is me being brief BTW….