An anonymous artist is spreading happiness and kindness by hiding glass hearts around Medway for people to find during this dark lockdown.

As the hearts are made from glass, they can be easily sanitised and are small enough to keep in a pocket. The artist, who wishes to remain anonymous, says she does not want praise for the project, but to sit back and smile, quietly knowing she has made a difference.

The project first started by making 150 hearts to send to staff on the Covid wards at Medway Maritime Hospital. She says: “I wanted them to know that their personal sacrifice was noticed and appreciated.

“I wanted to send them something they could keep rather than just chocolates or biscuits; something they could look at to remind themselves that they are appreciated and loved.”

With some hearts left over, the artist decided to hide the remaining ones around Medway for people to find.

But the project had a bumpy start. When hanging a heart in a tree, the artist slipped due to icy conditions and broke her left wrist.

She adds: “Luckily, I had a heart in my right dominant hand, so I didn’t put it out to save myself. And yes, I did hide that remaining heart before grumbling my way back into the car.

“Thankfully, hubby was driving. Amusingly, the rogue heart was the first one that was found. When I saw the reaction to it, I knew I had to continue.”

Now, it is a full-scale operation enlisting the help of joggers, dog walkers, and children volunteering their time to hide the delicate little treasures, with more than 1,500 hearts hidden – and counting.

The glassmaker adds: “I have a wonderful band of happy hiders who have polished up their ninja skills and are fabulous at secretly hiding them on their day-to-day travels.

“Many of the hiders have commented on how doing something good for others has lifted their own spirits enormously.”

To prevent unnecessary travel the artist posts the ornaments to her volunteers who distribute them within their local area. 

“It is never announced where the hearts have been hidden as this would cause people to gather in that area – which is not ideal in a pandemic,” the artist adds.

The glassmaker, who is a former teacher, creates the gems at home, making 50 hearts on a tray using a kiln. It is a long process, taking up to 10 hours in total, and her husband, two sons and lodger help pack the ornaments. 

Lisa Davies, a 44-year-old nurse from Medway, was one such lucky person to discover one of the hearts while on a daily walk with her son, Evan.

“It brought a genuine feeling [of] joy. I followed the artist’s Facebook page weeks ago and never thought I’d be lucky enough to find one. I explained to my five-year-old son what it was, and he was also very excited.

“It was in and out of his pocket like a yo-yo checking it was safe. He’s very protective of it at the moment and is in his treasure box.” 

Lisa has said her son plans to give the heart onto someone else when they are sad.

But these small tokens of kindness can have a huge impact on those that find them.

The artist said: “One lady remarked that she had been walking her dog, feeling really depressed with tears rolling down her cheeks, she looked up and found a heart hanging.

“It changed her day from drab and miserable into a little brighter.

“I hope people will keep the hearts they find and in years to come look back and remember that even in the darkest times there was a little light.”

However, glass is not cheap, so the artist has begun selling some hearts in order to send the gems to hiders at a rate of 250 a week.

But if you’re out for a walk in Medway, during these dark and difficult times, keep your eyes peeled for a glass treasure.

For more information about the Secret Hearts in Medway follow the artist’s Facebook page here.