A Kenilworth café has relaunched its 'Kindness Campaign' aimed at giving residents and local businesses a boost at the start of the New Year.

Forrest Coffee House first launched the campaign in 2021, encouraging customers to do small acts of kindness throughout January.

And as 2023 gets underway, the café at The Square has relaunched the project but this year with a slightly different format.

Forrest owner Molly Shanahan explained on social media: "Two years ago we launched the Kenilworth Kindness Campaign, and had an incredible response to it.

"At the time we faced unprecedented challenges as a community. Now, in 2023, we sadly still find ourselves in tough and scary times for a whole host of different reasons.

"January is a month in which lots of us could do with a boost (and a bit of kindness), so I'm excited to relaunch the campaign...but with a twist.

"I'm very mindful of the financial impact the last few months has had on people and businesses.

"So, this year the focus won't be just about raising money and relying on local businesses for donations. Instead, we're coming up with lots of little kindnesses that I'll introduce throughout the month."

Forrest first launched the campaign in 2021 to bring some joy to locals in January

The month has started with Forrest highlighting and promoting female-owned businesses on its social media every day.

This is a nod to the café's Christmas shopping nights which have proved a big hit with locals since launching.

"Small businesses have been hit really hard, and although we know shopping small isn't always easy to do when times are tough, a follow and a like can go a really long way," Molly added.

The next part of the campaign will see local charities and community groups take over the café for free in the evenings this month - something Molly was eager to introduce when the business first opened in 2020.

"We know groups like these are facing lots of challenges at the moment and meeting spaces can be hard (and expensive) to come by, so drop us a message with a little bit of information about your group and an idea of a date and we'll try to get you in," she added.

"We may not be able to guarantee an evening for everyone unfortunately, but we'll consider all requests, look at dates and get back to you very soon!"

More updates are expected throughout the month - head to Forrest's Instagram page to keep up to date.

And if your group wants to take over the space for a night this January, message the business on Instagram or contact [email protected]