Jenna’s acts of kindness boost charities and colleagues

Solicitor Jenna Atkinson, a member of Harrison Drury’s family law team, has brought a smile and made life little more easier during lockdown for many people across the county through her acts of kindness

Jenna’s #BeALittleKinder campaign has touched the hearts and minds of over 100 people from all walks of life since she started to reach out to business contacts and work colleagues earlier this year.

Jenna began her ‘acts of kindness’ with short notes penned on the back of colourful rainbow postcards (now a trademark of the campaign) offering words of encouragement and praise to people she knows through her work as a family law solicitor.

It flourished into a campaign that has seen her post over 70 postcards to business contacts and friends within her networking circles since she started the campaign in January. From pamper packs to plectrums she has also sent out more than 40 small, personal gifts offering encouragement to fellow colleagues and business connections.

As part of her #BeALittleKinder campaign, Jenna has also delivered 30 personally prepared gift packs containing face masks, chocolates, sweets and luxury toiletries to Bolton Hospice and East Lancashire Hospices to support patients during respite care.

She is now planning to pack and deliver more gift bags to Endeavour, a Lancashire-based domestic violence charity where she is a trustee and to continue to motivate and praise people with her postcard messages.

The gift packs and postage is covered by her own pocket and she expects nothing in return.

Jenna said “I came up with the idea at the start of the year and wanted to find a way to remind people how they are valued and appreciated.

When the coronavirus pandemic struck the country in March and with the pressure on people working from home, Jenna’s personal campaign has found a new purpose.

She added “Kindness costs nothing to give and is so important. It can truly make someone’s day, especially at the moment when a lot of people are unable to have direct contact with their colleagues, friends and families.”

John Osborne, head of the family law team said: “Jenna joined us in May 2019. She has made an enormous impact on the team in terms of the advice to her clients, the excellent level of service she provides and the kindness and support shown to her fellow team members.

“Jenna’s #BeALittleKinder has made a huge impression on our local communities, which is very important to the firm. Harrison Drury greatly values supporting our communities in any way we can. The happiness that Jenna’s random acts of kindness has brought has been a joy to see. I have been an unexpected recipient of a gift (an engraved plectrum), which was a wonderful thing to come back to after my summer holiday.

“From day one Jenna has lived and breathed the values of Harrison Drury. She has been a wonderful addition to an already very talented team.”

Jenna added: “I do believe that kindness can really change the world and that everyone should ‘be a little kinder’ which is why I started the campaign in the first place.”

Jenna works as part of Harrison Drury’s family law team of eight, which has been very busy with enquiries since the start of the coronavirus pandemic due to the heightened strain on family relations during lockdown, as well as with issues regarding access and child contact arrangements between separated and divorced parents.

Jenna said: “Although the ‘Little Acts of Kindness’ was an inspiration of mine before the pandemic, the value of my messages of encouragement seems even more important now. Being supportive to clients is a critical part of our role as family solicitors and demonstrating empathy is paramount in our work.”

Jenna has been nominated for ‘Lancastrian of the Year’ in the Lancashire Business View Sub36 Awards that honour the most influential, innovative and inspiring businesspeople aged ‘sub36’ in Lancashire.

The finalists will be announced on Friday 11 September, with the award ceremony taking place on 22 October. The Lancastrian of the Year award recognises young professionals that contribute to the county at work or in the community.