Frodsham resident Helen Watson is encouraging the town's pubs, restaurants and cafés to put up 'kindness boards' inside their premises, in order to brighten people's day in these difficult times.

"I'm asking local businesses to display a kindness board where people, especially those without Internet, can read positive messages, hand written by Frodsham folk who have seen or heard of an act of kindness," said Helen, via her Wacky Watsons Waterside Kindness Board on Facebook.

Helen is also developing plans for a 'Human Library', where volunteers would give their time to listen and chat to those suffering from loneliness.

"There is nothing better than a good book... apart from listening to a real story. Those who are vulnerable, secluded and anxious need your support!" she wrote.

In participating hospitality venues - and with Covid restrictions permitting - Human Library volunteers would "sit socially distanced with anyone requiring a human ear," and talk through anything they want to discuss.

So that local businesses also benefit from this scheme, customers would be given the opportunity to buy a drink for the volunteer, to thank them for their time. Notice of donated drinks would then be displayed on the pub or café's Kindness Board.

This would not be a professional counselling service, and Helen would offer free training to help volunteers signpost the agency support available to those in need.

Helen is now asking local children to draw a picture of a rainbow for her 'Human Library' logo, and is inviting Frodsham residents to write messages of goodwill to help promote the service.

This is not the first time that Helen has been involved in uniting our community. Over lockdown, she helped Frodsham bar Kash 22, in its work providing free food for the vulnerable.

"Let's continue to show kindness and support the vulnerable and our businesses. Thank you in anticipation!" she concluded.