A blossoming idea to spread kindness
It started out as a kind act of generosity. It very quickly became a lifeline for someone when they needed it most.
Now, this initiative kick- started by a homegrown borough businesswoman is set to start a wave of positivity across the country.
Sarah McCaig is the founder of Olive Owl, a Wigan-based florists that brings vibrancy and colour to the borough’s flourishing cohort of independent traders.
Earlier this year, to mark to celebrate the brilliant women in her hometown.
But Sarah had no way of knowing just how important this act would prove to be. Shortly after, one of these blooms was discovered at a borough train station by mum-of-three Michaela, who was at crisis point.
Weighed down by suicidal thoughts, the simple message accompanying the flowers resonated with her; an affirmation that she mattered and would be able to ask for help.
“When I placed those bunches, I had no idea the impact they would have,” explains Sarah.
“I wanted to do something to help celebrate IWD, but they ended up doing something much more in saving a woman’s life.
“When I received a message from Michaela about what had happened, I was blown away. I knew immediately that I could do something more.”
Sarah hopes the message of #PetalsofPositivity can become a nationwide mental health initiative and is encouraging her fellow florists to join in. And her inspirational new friend Michaela is helping to spread the message, as her circumstances will be familiar to many.
“I was really hesitant to share this raw and upsetting time in my life, but my hope is that my vulnerability will encourage others to do the same,” Michaela says.
“I had been suffering with post-natal depression and it had spiralled. When you’re feeling suicidal, it’s almost impossible to think rationally.
“It was something about Sarah’s flowers and note that told me I mattered and kept me safe until I felt able to reach out for help.
“I am indebted to Sarah and my kids still have a mother thanks to the kindness she showed that day. I know that #PetalsofPositivity will be a fantastic force for good.
“We’re all so busy day-to-day that sometimes we forget kindness and lose sight of what someone may be facing.
“However, it should be number one on our list of priorities because of the incredible impact it can have A little bit of kindness can go a long way.”
Fellow florists across the UK - including floral artists based in Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham – have signed up to help spread Sarah’s message and will be placing free blooms with positive quotations in their communities.
From the day the seed was planted just a short time ago, #PetalsofPositivity has come into bloom at a remarkable rate. But for Sarah, this is very much just the start of something special.
“I am forever grateful that it was Michaela who came across one of the bunches that day and I am in awe of her strength – she’s an inspiration to us all,” she says.
“I want to use this opportunity to ask other florists up and own the UK to join me, we’re lucky to be surrounded by beautiful blooms every day, and it’s a small joy that we can pass onto others.
“Although I recognise it’s not going to fix the issues some people are facing, it could just be the lifeline they need to break their mindset and ask for help.”
If you’d like to get involved with #PetalsofPositivity contact Sarah by email on hello@oliveowl.co.uk or send her a direct message on the Olive Owl Instagram page.