Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day, a time to celebrate the pay it forward mentality.

So, reporter, Megan Carr, took to social media, community groups and high street cafés to see what thoughtful gestures are being offered in Kent.

If the pandemic taught us anything it's that most people from the county are willing to give those in need a helping hand.

James Moy, a care worker who supports adults with dementia at Barnes Lodge in Tonbridge, has been offering random acts of kindness across the county in the form of cards and care packages.

The 48-year-old said: "I work on the Jim's Smile Project, I have been fundraising and supporting charities in the UK and abroad for many years and love to help and bring a smile to others along the way.

"After the first lockdown I started writing the act of kindness cards and left them round my home town for people to find.

"I didn't think much would come from it as they were just little messages to bring a smile to people's faces, but since then the cards have been given out to NHS staff and homeless charities.

"The cards haven't just stayed in Kent either, some have made their way as far as India, the US, Gambia, Australia and even New Zealand."

James leaves the cards on park benches, at churches and even on beaches, he also leaves a little gift inside for the reader to enjoy.

One card even made it to the Queen and Prince William who responded to him in their own letter.

He finished: "The cards are important as it helps with people's well being and mental health, it gives people a boost."

To find out more about Jim's Smile project click here.

Another person hoping to bring a smile to the faces of those in need is Abby Walker from Shepway.

The mum-of-five is currently trying to register her charity, Walker With Us, a project she hopes will support anyone who needs or wants help in her community.

The 28-year-old said: "Last November I noticed families struggling at Christmas, so I asked for help via Facebook to get present donations to give to children from families having a tough time.

"I had so many donations and had a massive sack of gifts that I handed out to around 70 kids across Maidstone.

"I don't drive so it was just me and my buggy, walking everywhere to deliver the gifts."

Following the festive success Abby hopes to register Walker With Us as a charity so she can continue to connect and to find out who is in need in her community.

She finished: "As we're not a charity yet everything is done through my own funding.

"I just want everyone to get together and have fun while supporting one another."

Walker With Us is hosting a big Easter egg event in April to raise money for the soon-to-be charity.

To find out more click here.

Across Sittingbourne and the Isle of Sheppey one lady has made being kind her full-time job.

Natasha Hanson, who now lives in Quinton Road, took over a freebies and random acts of kindness Facebook page just over a year ago when she lived in Sheerness.

The 37-year-old uses the platform to not only help the less fortunate but also fundraise for charities.

The mum-of-four has even started a foodbank for the area.

She said: "The Isle of Sheppey and Sittingbourne Freebies and Random Acts of Kindness page was left in my hands after the previous woman who ran it moved on.

"The group was made to support all of those who are in need and for people to post about the good things they see and acts of kindness they want to share."

Natasha's work has helped many people on and around the island.

She explained: "We heard about one elderly man who had been given a flat to move into, however he had no furnishings and would have been sleeping on the floor.

"So we rallied round and fully furnished his home. None of it would have been possible without my husband, Terry, he does all the running around and heavy lifting."

Natasha's Facebook group also votes every six months for a charity they wish to raise money for.

She said: "We raised more than £3,200 for Curly's Farm and helped get them £1,000 worth of mud control mats.

"The group also helped raise £11,000 for Swampys Wildlife Rescue and £5,440 for Kent Air Ambulance."

Natasha and her team of helpers, Camilla Watkins, Sam Shears and Jan Holland, also gave out presents dressed as Father Christmas, Mrs Claus and elves in December.

She said: "To do the work we do we rely on donations gifted by the group members, community and small businesses, they have been amazing so far."

To find out more about the free page click here or to find out more about the fundraising page click here.

Inspired by the wonderful people I had discovered through the power of Facebook I decided that I wanted to do my part in spreading the kindness in Maidstone town centre.

As someone who often smiles at strangers on the street, thanks drivers as I cross the road, lets other cars out at junctions and does coffee rounds for the office I don't think being kind is anything special.

For me personally I'd love to live in a world where those actions are just expected, imagine how much happier we'd all be.

Blown away by the gestures I'd learned about I felt very generous as I popped out for coffee on my lunch break, buying an iced latte at Matestone coffee shop I decided to do something I'd never done before.

After paying the £3 for my drink I gave the cashier a £10 note, explaining that I wanted to pay forward the kindness I had learnt about.

I was happy for my money to go towards someone else's purchase, the barrister was slightly taken back by my offer, explaining £10 can buy quite a few coffees but I insisted.

Her manager, hearing our conversation came forward and they both smiled as we chatted about kindness and good karma, just that gesture in itself made a lovely atmosphere.

As I sat and drunk my coffee one women left her table of friends heading to the till to buy their last round of hot drinks.

It was then that the manager explained what I had done and that she and her friends wouldn't have to pay for her refreshments.

A big smile covered her face and she immediately thanked me, as did her friends, their smiles caused a wave of happiness to wash over me.

I'm pleased to say that my good deed of the day not only filled me with happiness but was also the reason for someone else's smile.

I hope the group of friends pay forward my gesture and maybe, just maybe, another chain of kindness will continue across Kent.