Voices of Impact | Carolyn Vincent: Kindness creates cohesion 

Carolyn Vincent grew up in a close-knit community on the outskirts of Mumbai, India. Across roughly 25 streets, three generations shared their lives long before social media or mobile phones. Each weekend, parents and grandparents organised gatherings at the local clubhouse and involved teenagers and young adults. 

“That formed this very organic intergenerational web of connection. When three different generations are working together to put on an event, relationships are formed and that was the foundational work that they did without us knowing it.”  

After moving to Brisbane and starting Luggage Direct with her then husband, Carolyn found herself without that support network. During a painful relationship breakdown, she realised how isolated she had become. 

“At a time when I needed most, there was nobody I could call.” 

Door knocking for connection  

Carolyn knocked on doors and surveyed about 100 neighbours, finding that all but two wanted stronger local connections. She began organising meetings where residents contributed their skills, built trust and formed relationships, small, practical steps that reduced isolation and strengthened social cohesion. 

“I met so many people through my door knocking. My level of connection suddenly went to another level. So I met somebody who showed me about how to invest. I invested really well and I was able to set up the foundation because of that.” 

She established the Ubuntu Foundation in 2019 to addresses social disconnection. It supports projects that create opportunities for people to meet across ages and backgrounds, develop a sense of belonging and build more cohesive communities. In her own neighbourhood, the Foundation funds a Brisbane Festival Moorooka Block Party – now in its fifth year – connecting people across cultures and generations.

“The Foundation does what my parents and grandparents did – provide spaces and opportunities for people to connect.”  

Kindness Out Loud  

Carolyn is also launching Kindness Out Loud, a Brisbane born, national grassroots movement inviting Australians to share the everyday acts of kindness they do, see and receive.

The initiative aims to rebalance public narratives by making everyday kindness visible. Carolyn believes that noticing and sharing kindness can increase trust, connection and belonging, the foundations of social cohesion, and is good for mental and physical health. The Australian Kindness Index, developed with McCrindle Research, will measure everyday kindness and community connection year on year.

For Carolyn, building a better future means amplifying the good already happening. By making kindness visible, she hopes to draw people into community life, bridge cultural and generational divides and strengthen Australia’s social fabric. She also wants the philanthropic sector to speak more openly about its contribution.

“We are making everyone’s kindness count. To the philanthropy sector, let’s start being loud about the kindness that’s happening. Enough of being quiet, enough of being humble!”

To take part in Kindness Out Loud text KIND to 0493 119 995, or from 3 November at kindnessoutloud.org.au. It is anonymous and takes about 30 seconds.