As they celebrate their third anniversary at A Touch of Gentleness, it’s easy to focus on the numbers—the 10,000+ hand massages they've given, the 345 volunteers trained and 90 % of recipients report feeling more relaxed, less stressed, happier, calmer, with less pain & tension. More hopeful in the kindness of humanity.
But the true impact of this work goes far beyond what can be counted. It’s about the moments of genuine connection, the ripple effect of gentleness, and the power of human touch to heal.
Helen reflects on why she started the company:
‘It all started during lockdown. Sitting in my garden, I realized how desperately the world needed more gentleness, more connection. As restrictions lifted, I took a camping stool to the seafront with a simple sign offering free hand massages. That’s when everything changed.
A man sat down, his hands rough, his posture tense. As I gently massaged his hands, he looked up at me, tears in his eyes, and said, “No one has touched me in years.” That moment solidified my belief that human touch is not a luxury; it’s essential. It heals, connects, and reminds us that we matter’.
Fast forward to today, and A Touch of Gentleness has grown into a thriving community of volunteers committed to spreading compassion. In just three years, Helen and her colleagues have conducted forty-five training sessions and reached hundreds of individuals.
Each hand massage is more than just physical relief—it’s an opportunity to offer a moment of safety, to listen without judgment, to bridge divides. Offering a simple, genuine act of care in a world that often feels divided. They are creating spaces where people from all walks of life can connect through gentleness.
As they celebrate, Helen invites you to join us in building a more compassionate, connected world — one reach at a time.
Please visit Join Us | Volunteer with us A Touch of Gentleness
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." — H. Keller
