Last week, I was waiting for my friend Kate, when she texted to tell me she’d be late. I spotted a man asking people for spare change and approached him to see if he’d like to have a coffee with me while I was waiting, and he said yes. His name was Tom; we had our coffees, and he told me how he’d become homeless and what he was now doing to get back on his feet.

TIME MATTERS

Before we parted, Tom said: ‘What you just did, that’s the best thing you can ever do for a homeless person – listen to them and treat them as a human being.’ It can be hard to know how to help, but to give your time is great, especially during the celebratory festive period.

MUCH APPRECIATED

If you’d like to do something, put together a package to give to a homeless person. Useful items include thick socks, scarves and gloves, toiletries, cereal bars, fruit, a first-aid kit, books, paper and pens. You could even include an Oyster card with some money on it for travel, or a phone credit card. But if you can’t afford any of this, take time to stop and chat. Listening is the best gift of all.

Tweet your kindness adventures #BeKind and follow writer and performer Bernadette at BernadetteRussell.com or @betterussell

Read more: Why we should be kind on public transport