Note from a Neighbour
Connecting the Codsall community, one note at a time
You don’t need specialist training - or perfect words - to help somebody feel supported.
Sometimes a few handwritten words can remind someone going through a difficult time that they matter, people care and they are not alone.
That’s the idea behind Note from a Neighbour.
From the beginning of September until the end of October 2026, people are invited to write anonymous notes of encouragement for Codsall residents they may never meet or know.
The notes will be checked by the Brightside Psychology team before being placed in envelopes and shared throughout the year with local people who request one.
01
Visit
Visit a participating collection point
02
Write
Write an anonymous message of support
03
Place
Place it in the box
04
Review
Brightside Psychology will review and distribute the notes to Codsall residents who request one.
You don’t have to be from Codsall to write a note, but only Codsall residents will receive them.
You won’t know who receives your note, and they won’t know who wrote it. It is simply one neighbour taking a moment to offer words of support or hope to another.
Collection Box Locations
List of Services
Get involved: Write, host or share
Write a note
You don’t need to take anything with you. You will find notepaper and pens at the collection box.
Write your message and put it in the box. You don’t need to put it in an envelope. We will do that before they are sent to people who have requested a note
Not sure what to write?
Don’t worry about finding the perfect words or getting every spelling right. What matters is that your message is genuine, supportive and hopeful.
It can be short or long: from 2 words to an entire page, it’s up to you.
You might want to:
Share messages that have helped you through difficult times
Turn your own experiences into words of advice
Write a well-known but meaningful sentiment like “You’ve got this”, “This will pass”, “People care about you”
There will be examples at the collection boxes so you can get some inspiration.
Please remember
Note from a Neighbour is:
Anonymous - don’t include identifiable details
Appropriate - don’t include medical instructions, religious pressure or promises that everything will be okay
Supportive - no offensive or discriminatory language
Title or Question
Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasize this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.
Make it a mindful moment
Writing your note is an opportunity to pause and give your full attention to a small act of kindness.
As you write, you might:
- Notice the feel of the pen and paper
- Slow down and consider each word
- Reflect on something that helped you through a difficult time
- Think about what you would want somebody to say to you
A few thoughtful minutes for you could become a meaningful message for somebody else.
Host a collection box
Could your business or community venue give local people somewhere to write a few words of encouragement?
We would like to involve as many Codsall-based organisations as possible. Brightside Psychology will provide the collection box, paper, pens and guidance, and promote participating venues through its social-media campaign.
To host a collection box, contact: enquiries@brightsidepsychology.com
Collection boxes will be collected at the end of October.
“Community is at the heart of everything we do at Codsall Village Hall. We’re proud to support an initiative that spreads kindness, strengthens local connections and reminds people that even a few encouraging words can make a real difference.”
Maxine, Codsall Village Hall
“People come into the shop not necessarily to buy flowers, but sometimes just to have a chat. Community is about being there when somebody needs you and offering support when they’re struggling. Hosting a collection box gives us another way to do that.”
Louise, The Flower Shop Codsall (Birches Bridge)
If you’re unable to host a collection box, but would still like to be involved, please help us spread the word.
Follow @BrightsidePsychology on Facebook and #NoteFromANeighbour
Spread the word
By sharing the project, you could encourage more people to write a note, and help Note from a Neighbour reach the people who would most value receiving one.
If you’re posting on social media, tag @BrightsidePsychology and #NoteFromANeighbour so we can like and share your post too.
Why connection matters
Brightside Psychology founder Dr Sophie Gwinnett has worked in mental health services across Wolverhampton, the Black Country and South Staffordshire for more than 20 years.
During that time, she has brought together communities of people living with persistent pain, recovering from cancer treatment and experiencing grief.
“People who are struggling often withdraw and become isolated, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they need one-to-one therapy.
“I’ve seen how powerful connection, community and a sense of belonging can be. Sometimes knowing that somebody else has thought about you can help you feel less alone.
“My hope is that receiving a note could encourage someone to reach out, reconnect and feel part of their community.”
Supporting local psychology students
Note from a Neighbour is also providing local A-level psychology students with practical work experience.
The students will have the opportunity to contribute to a community psychology project, learn more about the relationship between connection and wellbeing, and help encourage people of different ages to participate.
Dr Sophie hopes the experience will demonstrate that mental health support does not only take place in clinical settings. Communities - and the people within them - can also play an important role in helping others feel connected and less alone.
Request a Note
If you’re going through a difficult time and would like a note*, fill in the form below / send an email to Brightside email address / text message
You can request a note for someone else, but please ask for their permission first.
*Notes will begin to be sent in November 2026 and will continue to be shared throughout the following months. All notes are anonymous and reviewed by the Brightside team before they are distributed.
Only Codsall residents will receive a note.
[Possible fields or request for inclusion in email]
Your name:
Your email address or telephone number:
Recipient’s name (if different from above):
Delivery address (must be in Codsall)
Are you requesting this note for yourself or someone else?:
If it is for someone else, please confirm that you have their permission to request a note and share their delivery details
Any accessibility or delivery information
Note from a Neighbour is funded by South Staffordshire Council’s Community is the Best Medicine Fund.