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Rainy Day Trust
Thousand Smiles September
1 Act of Kindness • 1 Shared Goal • 1,000 Smiles
What is it?
thousand smiles September challenge
Thousand Smiles September is a month-long, sector-wide kindness challenge bringing together businesses across the home improvement and home enhancement industry throughout September 2026.
Delivered through the Habits for Health app by Wellbeing People, participants complete and log one intentional act of kindness each day and see their team climb a real-time leaderboard alongside businesses from across the sector.
The challenge is simple, inclusive and meaningful. Whether someone works in an office, branch, showroom, warehouse, remotely or out on the road, everyone can take part.
for your team
Improves mental wellbeing, research shows that acts of kindness benefit giver and receiver alike
for your organisation
Show your commitment to employee wellbeing with a positive, sector-wide challenge that supports your people and the Rainy Day Trust.
for the sector
Strengthen relationships across the industry, celebrate collaboration, and raise vital funds for colleagues in need. Open to RDT members & non-members.
Why Thousand Smiles September Matters
Our sector has disproportionately high rates of mental health challenges and, at the extreme, suicide.
Simple, everyday acts of human connection can have a profound impact on someone who may be quietly struggling. Checking in, making someone feel seen, taking a moment to listen, or offering a small act of support can all help create a culture where people feel valued and less alone.
By taking part in Thousand Smiles September, your organisation is doing more than running a wellbeing initiative. You are helping to build a culture of care across our entire industry, while supporting the Rainy Day Trust’s mission to be there for colleagues at every step: prevention, early intervention and crisis support.
How does it work?
Fundraising support
Alongside the kindness challenge, organisations are encouraged to support the Rainy Day Trust through fundraising.
We are asking each team to aim for a minimum target of £100, which is around £25 per participant.
If 80 teams raise £100 each, the campaign could raise £8,000, helping to provide around 200 hours of mental health support for people in crisis.
Fundraising helps the Rainy Day Trust continue to support colleagues across the industry through hardship, crisis and difficult moments.
Every contribution, however small, really does make a difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The challenge is inclusive and designed for all roles, locations and working patterns. Acts of kindness can happen at work or at home, in person or virtually.
Each team is made up of 4 people. Multiple teams are welcome for larger or multi-branch organisations, and smaller businesses can include friends or family.
Anything intentional, additional to what you would ordinarily do, and likely to make someone smile. This could be a message of appreciation, a check-in, helping a teammate, making someone a coffee, donating to charity or taking a small moment to be kind to yourself.
Only a few minutes each day to complete and log an act of kindness. Some acts may take longer, but the challenge is designed to be simple and easy to fit into everyday life.
Each logged act of kindness earns 1 point for your team. Users will unlock 10 bonus points for a bronze medal, 20 points for a silver medal and 30 points for a gold medal.
Fundraising is strongly encouraged. Each team is asked to aim for a minimum target of £100, which is around £25 per participant. Every contribution helps the Rainy Day Trust support colleagues across the industry.
Register your Organisation
Thousand Smiles September 2026
Together, we can create 1,000 smiles, strengthen connections across our industry and support the Rainy Day Trust’s vital work with colleagues who need support.
Need additional support?
If you would like any further information, please email anna@rainydaytrust.org.uk or visit www.rainydaytrust.org.uk
Organisation Registration Form
We will not share your personal data with any Third-Party organisations. To know more about how what data we keep and how we use it, please read our Terms and Conditions page.
Feedback from Mad March million
Mad March Million was designed to bring together businesses with one shared goal, to reach one million steps. By encouraging participants to prioritise just 1% of their day, equivalent to 10 minutes of extra movement, the campaign demonstrated how small, consistent actions can lead to meaningful improvements in health and wellbeing. During March, team members helped complete 2,277,00 million steps.
IRSAP
I can’t believe I’ve stuck to this and finished the challenge, it’s made me realise I can
make time if I really want to.
THE THRIVE TRIBE
Ran every day to try and establish better mental health and it really works.
TEAM QEP
Have enjoyed every minute and will be keeping it going.”
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