We all need reasons to be cheerful

We need good news.

In the United Kingdom, news headlines are dominated by our government’s comedic attempts to exit the European Union and the actions of the US President.

In such a negative mainstream media climate, the public is missing out.  Research shows that the public lack sources of good news. Over half (54%) have not heard positive news about the great work of charities, universities, social enterprises and local government in the last three months.

This is a concern in many ways.

It’s harming trust in the media, national governments, local authorities, elected politicians, businesses and charities.

It’s undermining democracy as a feeling that these organisations do a bad job creates apathy.

It’s bad for our mental health and psychologists talking to CNN have even advised people “tune out” of bad news to safeguard their own health.

So here are three good news stories you may have missed from the UK courtesy of the news site I edit, The Rooftop.

A new app will help the disabled and elderly get out and about.

A new app has been launched to map out the most accessible shops, cultural attractions and other public places in the UK and Europe to the disabled and elderly. The project is being spearheaded by the disability charity See Around Britain, which is seeking sponsorship to help develop the app further.

Kids are becoming less obese (in some areas).

A new project has had a huge impact in tackling obesity in South East England according to initial research.

Livewell Child is a joint initiative between Braintree District Council and Essex County Council which launched in 2016. It is a three year pilot project and the objective is to support families live healthier and become more active.

Data revealed that there was a significant increase in the proportion of children who are overweight during primary school age so the project invited all Braintree District schools to take part in the pilot. Ten schools signed up to become Livewell child schools and data now reveals that the proportion of overweight children attending these schools has reduced since the project launched.

One mobile firm is helping refugees contact home

Phone recommendation platform, HandsetExpert is supporting charity Phone Credit for Refugees this January to help asylum seekers keep in contact with their loved ones.

Phone Credit for Refugees supports people separated from their families by war and conflict. They provide mobile phone top-ups so that asylum seekers and refugees can get in touch with their families, communicate with support agencies and stay safe.

This article first appeared on Grit Daily.