Katie Piper has launched a campaign to urge Brits to smile more.
The campaigner is spearheading a “positivity” drive with Belvita on the back of polling more than 2,000 adults.
Three quarters said that receiving a smile from someone brightens their day, while 28 per cent of people polled said it was better than getting a gift.
On average, a simple smile is passed on to three people – leaving six in ten (62%) feeling more confident, and over a third wanting to do something nice for someone else (36%)
Belvita say they teamed up with Katie as she was “known for her bright smile and incredible work within the scar and burns survivor community”.
Katie Piper OBE said: “We don’t realise the true impact our smiles have on others – it’s a small gesture that can really change someone’s day.”
The study was commissioned alongside a photographic series shot by world-renowned celebrity portrait photographer Andy Gotts.
It features five local heroes alongside Piper, who have gone “above and beyond” in their local communities.
These include Jacky Alder, who cooked, shopped and dog-walked for elderly residents in her community throughout the pandemic.
The research, conducted via OnePoll, also found a smile is needed more than ever as darker days draw closer, with 61 per cent needing a boost of positivity.
Gabriella Sargeant, at Belvita, added: “We believe that positive energy can start with the smallest gesture, such as a smile, or an act of kindness from a stranger -which all help to spread positivity from one person to another.”
