Local Business, Chelsea Flowers, is helping spread smiles and stress relief two bouquets at a time.

Wilmslow's Chelsea Flowers is joining hundreds of floral industry businesses internationally to surprise several unsuspecting passers-by within their delivery area on Wednesday 16 October with two free mini bouquets each.

One of the bouquets will be to keep and one to give to a friend, family member, colleague, or even a stranger.  

The random acts of kindness effort, called 'Petal It Forward', is organised by the Society of American Florists.

In the UK, it is coordinated by Good Florist Guide, of which Chelsea Flowers is a member. 

Purposely designed to take place on a Wednesday to help the mid-week slump, 'Petal it Forward' is the floral industry's way of giving back and designed to help people enjoy their day with more smiles and less stress.

The effort illustrates research from the University of North Florida that shows living with flowers reduces stress. 

Chelsea Flowers is located at 59 Chapel Lane (Wilmslow Nub News).

Owner of Chelsea Flowers, Kerry Wood, says that the whole team wanted to be a part of the mood-boosting effort and make a difference in their community.

She said: "Our shop was one of the early UK adopters of this initiative last year.

"Through the positive effects of flowers, we hope to make someone's day brighter, and provide a much needed moment of calm amidst the hectic pace of life."

The US research findings on flowers and stress relief, and the need for mood-boosting gestures, seem timely.

Back in July US based Wakefield Research discovered that 68 per cent of Americans experience stress weekly, and 32 per cent report feeling stressed daily. 

Chelsea Flowers want to be a part of boosting people's moods and make a difference in their community (Wilmslow Nub News).

Women are even more affected, with 25 per cent reporting feeling stress multiple times a day. Here in the UK, there are similar findings proving that stress has no borders.  

Kerry says the original idea behind 'Petal It Forward's' 'keep one, share one' concept, which started in 2015, came after looking at statistics that showed while 80 per cent of people reported receiving flowers makes them happy, even more (88 per cent) said that giving flowers makes them happy.

"Our Team want to give people the chance to experience both," said Kerry.

"At Chelsea Flowers we all believe that flowers are a universal gesture of kindness. We experience first-hand the look on recipients' faces when we make deliveries to them, or when they call in, phone or write to tell us how happy their friends or family were with their floral gifts. Flowers have their own very special power." 

Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Nub News provides updates to local residents in the town.

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

Please consider following Wilmslow and Alderley Edge Nub News on Facebook.