A PROJECT exploring the nature of kindness is gathering stories and experiences from willing volunteers.

Named Joygernaut, it is a partnership between North Yorkshire libraries and poet and performer Andy Craven-Griffiths.

He has launched the project online and has been running workshops in libraries to encourage as many people as possible to get involved.

He has performed poetry at Glastonbury and Latitude festivals, as well as featuring on Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 4 and BBC2.

He was also one of Radio 3’s Verb New Voices in 2016.

“In today’s world, we are increasingly sold the idea of our own individuality and importance,” said Mr Craven-Griffiths.

“The aim of the game is to be the most beautiful, to have the biggest TV, to get the most likes and retweets, to eat the fanciest foods and to wear the most expensive and fashionable clothes.

“That’s how you get to be happy. But what if it’s not? What if the way to a better life is kindness?”

He wants to see if people have benefited from the kindness of others or from being kind to themselves.

Shared stories and experiences will influence the development of an interactive, one-person show exploring kindness, cruelty, how each affects people, and our ability to choose.

The Joygernaut play will tour libraries across the county later this year.

County councillor Greg White, executive member for libraries, said: “Joygernaut is about having conversations and exchanging ideas about kindness and how it can make us happier.

“The thinking is that kindness can generate small changes in ourselves and others and make our communities better places.”

Mr Craven-Griffiths is encouraging people to take part in a survey which will uncover what people think and feel about kindness before gathering real-life stories of kindness and cruelty.

Further to hosting workshops, he is conducting face-to-face interviews and is encouraging online submissions.

He will then rely on opinions from experts including biologists, sociologists and psychologists before making the play.

He believes kindness improves mental and physical health, and hopes the project will help with “closing the gap between the desire to be kind and actually achieving kindness”.

For more information about Joygernaut, visit www.joygernaut.com or visit the Facebook and Twitter page.