# The unexpected joy of giving | Pam Sheemar | TEDxAstonUniversity Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwv85yu3AA8 Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/fwv85yu3AA8 Generated: 2025-11-11T17:31:54.649+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Pam Sheemar argues that small acts of giving, multiplication, and selfless service, like running a food feed, fundamentally transform the world by triggering positive neurochemicals like dopamine and oxytocin in both givers and receivers, leading to widespread joy and connection. **Key Points:** - Small acts, when multiplied by millions, can transform the world, citing Howard Zinn's quote. - The speaker initiated a food feed program that supplied hot food, samosas, and tea to people needing it, receiving thanks and feeling joy. - The speaker's organization successfully raised £60,000 in 10 years through this feed program for charity. - Neuroscience confirms that giving releases dopamine and oxytocin, chemicals associated with joy and connection, in the brain. - Volunteering statistics show that 27% of the UK population volunteered in 2022, indicating a significant base for giving. - The speaker challenges the audience to consider how they can actively pay forward kindness, either through direct help or by inspiring others. ![Screenshot at 00:10: Pam Sheemar begins her talk by quoting Howard Zinn: "Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world," setting the theme for her discussion on collective impact through giving.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/fwv85yu3AA8/00-00-10.png) **Context:** Pam Sheemar, Regional Accelerator Director at NatWest, delivers a TEDx talk titled 'Rethinking Tomorrow' at TEDxAstonUniversity. The presentation centers on the profound, often unexpected, positive impact of small, selfless acts of giving and volunteering, drawing on personal experiences with a food distribution initiative called 'Sewa' (meaning communal kitchen/selfless service). ## Detailed Analysis Pam Sheemar details her experience running a food feed program called 'Sewa' (selfless service/communal kitchen), which involved regularly providing hot food to people in need. Despite initially feeling hesitant about signing up for the Friday night commitment, the speaker found immense joy in the act of giving, which was mirrored by the recipients. She highlights a specific instance where a gentleman named Richard, who received food multiple times, expressed gratitude, noting that the act of giving made him feel joy. This positive feedback loop is rooted in neuroscience: when we give, our brains release dopamine and oxytocin, the same chemicals that generate feelings of joy and connection. She notes that 27% of the UK population volunteered in 2022, suggesting a large potential pool for such acts. Over ten years, the charity managed to raise £60,000 through this feed. She concludes by posing a reflective question to the audience: If we built a world starting with giving rather than receiving, what kind of world would that be, and how can each person inspire others to pay forward kindness? ### Introduction and Core Theme - Starting with Howard Zinn's quote: Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world - Speaker introduces her personal experience with a food feed called 'Sewa' - Initial reluctance contrasts with subsequent joy. ### The Sewa Initiative - Speaker recounts delivering hot food, samosas, and tea on cold Friday nights - The positive emotional feedback loop observed in both recipients (like Richard) and volunteers - The organization raised £60,000 over ten years through this effort. ### Neuroscience of Giving - Explains that giving releases dopamine and oxytocin in the brain, leading to feelings of joy and connection - This scientific backing validates the positive emotional experience of selfless service. ### Call to Action - Cites 27% UK volunteering rate in 2022 - Challenges the audience to consider how they can actively pay forward kindness, whether through entrepreneurship, mentoring, or direct service, starting from a place of giving. ![Screenshot at 00:00: Speaker Pam Sheemar taking the stage at TEDxAstonUniversity for the talk 'Rethinking Tomorrow'.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/fwv85yu3AA8/00-00-00.png) ![Screenshot at 00:11: The screen displays the guiding quote from Howard Zinn emphasizing the power of multiplied small acts.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/fwv85yu3AA8/00-00-11.png) ![Screenshot at 00:13: Pam Sheemar, dressed in a patterned red dress and black boots, engaging the audience on stage.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/fwv85yu3AA8/00-00-13.png) ![Screenshot at 00:54: Speaker emphasizing the concept of 'Sewa' \(selfless service\) as an act of giving.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/fwv85yu3AA8/00-00-54.png) ![Screenshot at 01:07: The screen changes to a quote emphasizing that small acts transform the world, setting up the central theme.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/fwv85yu3AA8/00-01-07.png) ![Screenshot at 01:26: Speaker recounts the experience of handing out food bags and tea during a cold Friday night.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/fwv85yu3AA8/00-01-26.png) ![Screenshot at 03:36: Speaker detailing how large organizations often have CSR \(Community Social Responsibility\) days.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/fwv85yu3AA8/00-03-36.png) ![Screenshot at 07:58: Slide displaying the statistic: 27% of the UK population did some form of volunteering in the UK in 2022.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/fwv85yu3AA8/00-07-58.png) ![Screenshot at 09:29: A collage of photos illustrating the food distribution efforts, showing volunteers handing out food and stacks of donated supplies.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/fwv85yu3AA8/00-09-29.png) ![Screenshot at 11:43: Final slide posing the central question: "What if we built a world that started with giving and not from a place of receiving first?"](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/fwv85yu3AA8/00-11-43.png)