Sharing the Positives: LinkedIn: The Joy Network

Next up in our Sharing The Positives series, Blake Thompson our Senior Contract Recruiter talks about how he is seeing communities building in LinkedIn. 

As part of our ‘Sharing the Positives’ series, I wanted to talk about a different kind of community. LinkedIn.  Since lockdown in the UK began the professional network has, for me at least, become the joy network.

In that time, I’ve seen some amazing feats of kindness (and some of the best haircuts this side of millennium) from people across my wider network that’d make even the Grinch’s heart grow 5 times over. I’ve highlighted a few of my favourites below, but honestly, I could have written a small book on the amount of top-class selflessness I’ve seen up to now.

First up: Takeaway-Give-Away, and it’s a Dominos….

People have taken to LinkedIn to start giving away free takeaways to those deserving of a treat during the lockdown. I first saw the idea from LinkedIn Marketer Chris Williams, and the premise is simple. You nominate someone you think deserves a treat and then if they’re chosen, they get a free takeaway delivered to their door paid for by someone who has agreed to participate.

I know, it’s amazing enough in itself that people are generous enough to order a takeaway for complete strangers, but to top it off the lucky nominated people get Domino’s Pizza. Not a £1.99 ‘chicken’ box from the local off-brand Kernel’s Fried Chicken, a Domino’s.

To add a big old cherry on top, by the second time Chris offered it up to his network 20 people agreed to dip into their own pockets to pitch in.

Big thanks to Chris and all the other generous givers:

3D Masks for our NHS heroes…

After working out the kinks in his 3D printer by crafting custom helmets for his cat, John Edgell decided to kick it up a notch (actually, a lot more than just one) and has started to print 3D masks for the NHS:

He’s even touted the idea of setting up a GoFundMe page to accelerate his production, so if anyone reading this would like to help with the cause I’m sure John would appreciate the input.

Not all heroes wear capes, although I’m sure John could definitely have a go at making one if anyone has a template. Thanks, John!

(John, as a side note if you could repurpose your printer to finishing a full suit of armour for your cat when this is all over, I’m sure that’s something the world would love to see).

The collective power of the LinkedIn Network…

This next one, for me, epitomises everything that is right and good with the world at present. Danny Townley went out to his network to ask for help with his job search after being made redundant, and the level of response and offers to help were monumental. See for yourself:

Danny’s attitude and output to make sure he gets back on the job ladder even more skilled and resourceful than when he left is another noteworthy mention of positivity. 

Props to Danny and everyone that offered a helping hand in his time of need!

Acts of kindness like these seem to becoming more and more prevalent across my news feed at the moment, and without trying to ruin the whole thing by being too cheesy I’d just like to say a huge thanks to everyone who’s making the effort to help others out in this time, your generosity is definitely helping to keep me in good spirits. So, keep the daft haircut videos, interesting webinars and random acts of kindness coming.

And long may this new found ‘help thy virtual neighbour’ attitude continue!