Deputy Lord Mayor Cardiff Councillor Helen Lloyd Jones with Santa at the foodbank (Image: PinPep)
Cardiff residents are set to top Santa’s ‘nice’ list this Christmas, as they’ve been found to perform the most good deeds throughout the year, according to a recent study.
Locals in the welsh capital average over six good deeds per week, outdoing those in Bristol and Southampton.
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The research was carried out by free-from chocolate brand NOMO for its ‘NOMO’s nice list’ campaign.
Helen Lloyd Jones, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Cardiff, gratefully accepted a donation of 8,000 bars of NOMO chocolate on behalf of Cardiff Foodbank after receiving the title of ‘nicest’ city: a timely contribution as the food bank gear up for Christmas emergency food parcels.
Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Helen Lloyd Jones expressed her delight: “It’s wonderful to be recognised as the top city on NOMO’s ‘nice list’ – we pride ourselves on being a friendly city.”
She continued: “This highlights the incredible community spirit that makes our city so special. This generous donation to Cardiff Foodbank will bring joy to so many families this Christmas, and we’re deeply grateful for their support.”
Rachel Biggs, CEO of Cardiff Foodbank, also commented: “Finding treats that are safe for everyone can be a challenge for many, so it’s wonderful to be able to offer something that everyone can enjoy, no matter their dietary needs.”
Blue Santa (L) Deputy Lord Mayor Cardiff Councillor Helen Lloyd Jones (M) Rachel Biggs (R) (Image: PinPep)
When asked to identify the UK cities with the friendliest residents, Newcastle took the top spot, followed closely by Liverpool and London, indicating that kindness is more prevalent across the nation than sceptics might believe.
Small acts of kindness, such as lending a helping hand to a neighbour, are not only common but also have a significant impact, with 33% of respondents going out of their way multiple times a week to show kindness to others.
The motivations behind these acts of kindness vary, with 38% citing a desire to contribute to the greater good, while others aim to strengthen community bonds or simply spread joy – with the festive season being a significant catalyst.
According to the data, 36% of people are more inclined to be kind and friendly to others during the holiday season.
In cities that excel at spreading festive cheer, the positive effects are evident – 66% of individuals experience happiness after performing kind acts, with one in six feeling that positive emotion for over an hour.
A third of Brits have even formed new connections or friendships through simple acts of kindness.
Blue Santa was around to offer a helping hand in delivering the 8,000 bars of chocolate (Image: PinPep)
Tara Stevens from NOMO commented: “Clearly, Cardiff is set to have a wonderful Christmas with the most people on Santa’s nice list.
“The research shows that acts of kindness not only boost others, but also make us feel better too – the festive season is the perfect time to reach out and help, and if more people followed Cardiff’s lead, we could all enjoy a more wholesome and welcoming festive season.
“We’re all about kindness, inclusivity, and togetherness-values that are reflected in our commitment to making chocolate accessible to everyone.”