A Tiktok star has been giving out “free hugs” in Liverpool city centre.
Jenkinson Denzel Southern, originally from London, has been holding signs with phrases such as "The world is a better place with you in it" and "In case no one told you this today, I'm proud of you, keep going” written on them in a bid to brighten up people's days.
The 26-year-old believes it is important to look after your mental health - especially with the likes of the cost of living crisis happening - and to “get through this together”.
READ MORE: Aldi and Argos shoppers ditching air fryers after becoming 'addicted' to cheaper alternative
The film director told the ECHO : “I'm not special, what I do, anyone can do, what is in me, is in all of us, I'm just choosing to use it. We all can. As for the people I hug, it goes both ways, more often than not, when I go out there, I'm struggling. I'm feeling lonely myself. We carry each other.
"All the people who hug me, praise me, thank me or just give me their time. They all make me feel a little less alone in the world, so to them thank you.”
Jenkinson’s idea came about as a way of helping him grow his confidence. After struggling to talk to people in his teenage years and being “socially awkward” Jenkinson wanted to work on his social skills and show others that if he can do it, they can also do it.
He said: “I began this in December 2021 in the leadup to Christmas. I was beyond nervous, I think people see me and believe that I have unshakable confidence, and that may be the case most of the time, but I'm still human. The nervousness may be much less but it's still there.”
Jenkinson explained how the negative reactions are all worthwhile when he comes across those are in “extra need” of a hug”. He said it is especially heartwarming when he gets hugs from kids as they are always “kind, supportive and excited” and have “so much love to give”.
He added: “There was a girl in Manchester, she hugged and told me how she was currently homeless and staying with a friend. We had the longest hug as I talked with her and told her awful dad jokes. Just something silly. I think we all need that sometimes in life.
“Another time was a man in Liverpool, his wife was missing, and he was contemplating suicide later that night. We spoke for a good 15 mins and I held him the entire time. It's kind of hard to put into words what I felt, it's one of those out-of-body experiences, my main focus was just pumping as much belief and hope into him.
"After I went home, I feared the worse, but thank God, I later saw him a few days later, he didn’t see me, but I prefer it that way. A little sign from the man upstairs that he was ok, and the work was not in vain.”
Jenkinson is hoping to take his idea and tour around the country. So far he has offered free hugs in Liverpool, Manchester, London and Leeds. He said: “Small acts of kindness, you have no idea how much it helps someone else. Whether they smile back or not, whether they appreciate it or not. That's irrelevant. The sentiment is felt. The message has been spread. You passed it on.”
READ NEXT:
- 'Selfless mum' dies suddenly after birthday night out
- Drug kingpin bought and sold millions of pounds of cocaine across the world
- Audi at centre of arson attack which killed Liverpool grandad
- Family run pub that 'fed thousands' closes its doors
- People are only just realising what fourth side of a cheese grater is for
