Watch: Cork students on how little acts of kindness 'make the world a better place'

The season is one of giving and thinking of others, and while we can sometimes get wrapped up in the consumerism that exists around this time of year, it is so important to return to the true meaning of Christmas and to focus on the things that really matter - whether it’s showing kindness to others, giving to those in need of support or simply making an extra effort to spend more time with family and friends.

That’s why this Christmas, young students of the ACA Performing Arts Academy are encouraging people to get involved in the Irish Examiner’s Little Acts of Kindness campaign in aid of St Vincent de Paul (SVP).

The campaign calls on parents, grandparents, uncles, aunties, guardians, coaches, teachers and babysitters to nominate a child or young person who they think deserves recognition for a little act of kindness they did this year.

As many nominated names and stories as possible will be published in the Irish Examiner and on the ieParenting online hub on December 21.

Simply click here to fill out the nomination form.

Kindness 'makes the world a better place'

At the bustling academy on Old Mallow Road, I met young students as they prepared for their Christmas show.

They showed me two of their Christmas numbers which they said they had spent some time preparing under the guidance of their dance teachers and artistic director of the studio, Aileen Coffey.

Excited to be part of the Little Acts of Kindness campaign by telling me why it is so important to be kind to others and how it makes them feel when people are kind to them, the kids gathered around to share their stories.

“People might be having a bad day and you might make their day happier”, said Sean Young, adding it makes him feel “very, very happy” when someone shows him kindness.

Sarah McDonagh said kindness is important because it can “make someone feel much better and it makes the world a better place”.

Olive Buckley spoke about the domino effect of kindness, saying all it takes is for one person to be kind to another, and that kindness is then passed on to the next person.

Saoirse Cunningham spoke about how kindness is all about giving and receiving. “It makes me feel really happy [when someone is kind]. One time, I was sick and then my friends came over and they made me feel a lot better,” she said.

Sharing a moment when someone was kind to her, Olivia O’Sullivan said: “One time, I was in the yard in school and didn't have friends to play with and then my friend Leah came over to me and invited me into her game.” 

Lily O’Leary remembered a time when she was upset and her mother asked if she was okay and gave her “a really, really, really big hug”.

“The reason why it’s nice to be kind is that you can cheer people up sometimes ... and I just think it would be better for people to know how kind you can be,” she said.

Laurie Carmody spoke about how people who are kind to her make her feel comfortable, while Minnie McCarthy said she feels “welcomed” when people are kind.

Sharing her school’s motto, Evie McCrory said: “My school’s motto is to treat others how you would like them to treat you and I think by doing that you can make the world a better place."

“I broke my clay sculpture at school the other day and I was very upset. My friend came over to me and said ‘I know it was amazing, but a sculpture can be fixed and I will help you fix it’,” she said.

Sharing a moment where she was shown kindness, Lucy Byrne said: “On my first day of dance class, people started being nice to me and started talking to me so that made me feel very welcome.” 

A foundation of kindness

ACA studio artistic director Aileen Coffey, said the academy not only prides itself on fostering talent but on nurturing a culture of kindness in everything it does.

“Whether it's our staff supporting one another behind the scenes, teachers encouraging young performers, or the kids showing respect and empathy toward one another, kindness is the invisible thread that ties us together,” she shared.

For our students, it's about more than just learning to dance, act, or sing – it’s about learning life skills like teamwork, respect, and empathy. This foundation of kindness helps them grow not just as performers but as individuals who uplift and inspire others.

Coffey spoke about how proud she is of her students, not just for their talent and hard work, but for the way they conduct themselves with kindness, respect, and a spirit of camaraderie.

Dance teacher Yasmine O’Brien said when she first joined the “ACA family” as a student, it was evident that kindness was at the forefront.

“Having the opportunity to then become a teacher here has allowed me to not only join the kindest, most loving team in Cork but use the knowledge Aileen taught me to then teach the next generation,” she said.

“Being a kind teacher is the most impactful way to create a positive and lasting influence on children and fosters an environment of trust and respect."

The impact of showing kindness 

SVP national president Rose McGowan says that we should not underestimate the value of showing kindness.

“The impact of showing kindness, no matter how small that act may be, can have an impact far beyond what we might think," she said.

SVP is all about meeting need and very often that need is tangible - it might be a need for financial help, for help with energy costs, help with food or help to ensure a family member achieves an educational goal.

“But equally the need might be less tangible, it might simply be the need to have someone to talk to, someone to listen, a person’s company or a small gift.

“We are very grateful to the Irish Examiner who, through its Little Act of Kindness campaign, is helping bring that kindness into people’s homes.” 

The Little Acts of Kindness campaign will run until Saturday, December 14. 

Each nominee will also receive a certificate of thanks from the Irish Examiner and SVP and be entered into a draw to win a €250 gift voucher.

Click here to fill out the nomination form.