Never underestimate the effect of public praise.

The HappyList is so much more than a bunch of nice stories pulled together once a year on a page. It’s a vehicle for inspiration that drives people to action, moving thousands arrive where they can get help, or to where their help is needed.  If you think we might be overstating the case, read on….

In 2013, Happy City published the UK’s first citywide HappyList, a local Bristol based version of the brilliant initiative of the Independent on Sunday. Created by an unsung hero himself, David Randall, the national Happy List sought to celebrate the work of people who enrich the lives of others with no thought of personal gain.

When we launched our first list in 2013, we invited broadcaster Steve LeFevre, to help with the judging.  He agreed without expecting the experience to be especially profound, but a few years on, here’s what he has to say:

“As a broadcaster ‘covering the story’ I’ve been aware of the Happy City project since its inception, and, with the journalist’s probing (ie cynical) eye, the devil’s advocate in me often questioned its merits.

Then in 2013 Mike kindly asked me to join the judging panel for ‘The Happy list’ – a sort of antidote to ‘The Rich List’, to find Bristol’s Happiness Champions, and I was blown away by the nominations. People beavering away day and daily in their communities to make things better for their fellows, not for monetary reward, but simply because … they felt it was a good thing to do!

Those pebbles in the water sent ripples of happiness far and wide, just as they have done for Happy City itself. I’ve been completely amazed at its progress. There is a different way of doing things. And the word is spreading from little community acorns to cities across the county, and to the decision-makers themselves. I’m proud and ‘happy’ to help this fantastic vision in my small way”.

Happy City published city lists again in Bristol in 2014, and in Bristol and Brighton in 2015. This year is the 10th anniversary of the original HappyList, and we’d like to mark that achievement with something a bit special.

If you’re interested, and think you can support our efforts to celebrate those who enrich the lives of others, please write to mike@happycity.org.uk