In a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming, one local woman is helping to spark moments of hope and joy – one quote at a time.
Meet Katie, a passionate Stevenage-area resident who has taken it upon herself to spread positivity throughout the community. What started as a personal journey of healing has grown into a simple yet powerful movement that’s touching lives across town- and perhaps, one day, far beyond.
How It All Began
Katie’s inspiration for sharing daily positive quotes comes from a deeply personal place. “Looking back, I always had a default button when things went wrong – ‘Poor me, it’s not fair’ – which often led me down a dark path,” she shares. “But I’ve realised that by bringing light to other people, it actually fans my own inner candle and helps it burn brighter.”
Faith has played a key role in her journey. A regular churchgoer, Katie finds comfort in the words of Jesus: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14). It’s this quote that inspired her mission. “It doesn’t mean the darkness is gone, but by being positive and showing kindness, my light will glow brighter than the darkness.”
From One Woman’s Idea to a Community Movement
Katie first launched her monthly newsletter, Katie’s PRIDE, as a way to connect with the community while navigating her early days of presenting as a trans woman. Hand-delivered to local shops, the newsletter became a vital bridge between herself and the people around her.
Then came the idea for positive quotes. “At first, I would handwrite them, cut them out, and let people pick one out of a bag,” Katie says. “But writing 250 every week just wasn’t practical.” So she turned to technology – and today, she uses a tablet with a curated list of over 500 quotes for people to choose from. And thanks to AI, it’s easy for her to refresh the list whenever she needs to.
Moments That Matter
Katie’s favourite part of her campaign? The surprising moments of emotional connection.
“Quite often, the quote someone picks fits perfectly with something happening in their life,” she says. One moment stands out clearly: “I had a man who’d recently experienced a loss, and the quote he picked moved him to tears. It was incredibly touching.”
Positivity in Public Spaces
Katie’s dream is bigger than just handing out quotes on the high street. She’s actively engaging with local councils and healthcare providers in hopes of bringing uplifting messages into everyday public spaces.
“Imagine someone waiting anxiously in a doctor’s surgery and seeing a quote flash up on the screen – it could totally shift their mindset,” she says. “Even a small quote on an email or bus sign could have a big impact. It’s like CBT on the go – simple, accessible mental health support through kindness.”
Looking Ahead: Growing the Kindness Movement
Though the campaign currently focuses on Hitchin, Katie hopes to see it spread across Stevenage and beyond. “This isn’t just a ‘nice’ idea. I believe it could genuinely improve people’s mental health, create more caring workplaces, and lead to happier, more connected communities.”
But to grow, the campaign needs support – especially from local businesses and organisations willing to get involved.
How You Can Help
Katie has already partnered with a few local shops—one even prints quotes on the bottom of till receipts! But the possibilities are endless:
- Display quotes in shop windows or near checkouts
- Include positive quotes in email footers
- Feature quotes on digital signage, buses, or library boards
- Support Katie’s newsletter and quote collection efforts
“Imagine if a whole town got involved—what kind of interest and impact that would have!” she says.
Favourite Quotes to Live By
Katie is inspired daily by the quotes she shares, but one in particular stands out:
“Even broken crayons can still colour.”
“To me, that says even if you feel broken, you still have something beautiful to offer,” she says. “That really speaks to my journey.”
With each quote she shares, Katie is helping others see that same truth in themselves – and little by little, she’s lighting up lives across our community.
