Standing up to hate, spreading hope with young people
In a time of fear, division and hatred, too many young people feel afraid for their futures. How might ordinary, wonderful acts of kindness inspire the return of hope - hope for a society built for all children? For every child to feel happy, they need to feel safe, included and respected. For every teenager to feel hope for their future, every one of us has a role to play.
What can we do to conquer fear and reclaim hope?
Young people tell us that hope is getting harder to find. Last year, The Children’s Society published a briefing called ‘Reclaiming hope in a changing world’. The need for hope came through so strongly when speaking to young people.
Young people spoke about how wider societal prejudices affect their sense of safety.
- Reclaiming hope in a changing world
Fear of others, social division and hateful ideas, language and actions. These all damage young people’s wellbeing, and lead to a collective lack of hope that’s jeopardising our future. Because fear attacks the very fabric of society. It breaks down the sense of support and belonging that young people want to feel and that our research tells us they need.
Fear and misunderstandings
Worse still, fear leads to adults misunderstanding teenagers
Fear and hate amplified in our culture and media leads to negative portrayals of young people and to misrepresentation of young people’s lives.
But we know young people are full of hope and care, and that too often this goes unseen. We’re missing out on the many positive contributions young people bring to society; their hopes and their dreams.
That is why we are proud to be joining ‘A Million Acts of Hope’
That is why we are proud to be joining ‘A Million Acts of Hope’
A Million Acts of Hope is a national invitation to celebrate the everyday acts of kindness, care and connection happening across the UK.
At a time when division can feel loud, A Million Acts of Hope is bringing together all these everyday acts of hope and shining a light on the people making them happen.
Hope builds Hope
To help turn the dial on youth happiness back in the right direction one thing we can all do is reflect or recount acts of hope, so that we can reclaim hope for young people – those fleeting but memorable moments of kindness, of help, of joy.
So, what can we do?
So, what can we do?
This spring, we’re coming together and standing up for hope. And we’re inviting everyone to join us, in support of young people everywhere.
Ahead of a Week of Hope, 13th to 20th May, we want to collect and share as many acts of hope as possible.
Acts of Hope
An Act of Hope is any action — big or small — that builds connection, strengthens inclusion, uplifts young people, or shifts narratives from division to cohesion, from intolerance to understanding:
- Sharing a message of support with young people
- Championing an act of hope or help from a young person in your community
- An act of hope or kindness that you have personally received from a young person
No act of hope or kindness is too small, for the impact and ripple effects will be great.
How to take part
There are 3 ways you can take part:
- Share an act of hope you’ve seen/experienced from a young person – We'll share a selection of submissions* publicly and with young people to counter the stereotypes and misconceptions about teenagers.
- Write a message of hope to a young person – We'll share these* with young people who use our services to uplift them.
- Get hopeful by reading and sharing acts of hope from young people below
*Messages may be amended slightly for these purposes.
Acts of Hope: Showing up for each other
As a volunteer with a local Rangers group, I see young people step up and support one another every week.
Recently, when one member with SEND was struggling to feel included, another young person noticed and made time to check in with them at every meeting.
Thanks to the young person’s kindness, the member became more connected to the group and now feels fully valued and included.
Acts of Hope: Stepping up
Whilst out walking with my 16 year old daughter, we saw a man collapse and fall off the wall he had been sat on, knocking me down in the process!
My daughter stayed calm and took complete control of the situation - talking to him and reassuring him until the ambulance arrived.
Seeing her step up with such confidence gave me real hope for the future. Young people are ready to lead with care and courage.
Acts of Hope: A helping hand
It was so heartening to see a teenager on a bus caring for an elderly passenger who nearly fell and needed help to get off the bus.
He immediately took control of the situation and helped. I see this type of mature and compassionate action frequently.
Acts of Hope: From volunteers to friends
I was recently attending a concert and had been asked to serve the refreshments in the interval, but we were short on volunteers.
On asking for help two teenagers came running into the hall offering to help. They were brilliant - helping to serve the drinks and hot cross buns to over 80 people in just 20 minutes. After the concert they stayed behind to help with the clearing up!
We have since become good friends and always stop for a chat when seeing each other.
Acts of Hope: A helping hand
Some teenage boys kindly asked if I needed assistance over the local railway line foot crossing. As a visually impaired person, I appreciated the offer and their respectful approach
Acts of Hope: Speaking up, owning up
I was taking my 7 year old grandchild out for a walk, when a young person on a motorcycle sped in front of us on the park. When he stopped a group of teenage boys told him how irresponsible his behaviour was. The person who was riding the bike then walked over to us and apologised for his actions, my grandchild responded by saying thank you.
Acts of Hope: Always there
One of my daughter's friends was admitted to a psychiatric ward six years ago, aged 15. Ever since that time, my daughter has kept in touch through regular visits, calls and messages.
She's at uni now but still keeps in touch with her friend and visits every time she's home - even when it means long journeys on public transport to get there. She's determined her friend will know, through her words and her deeds, that she'll always be there to support her.
Author
Author: Jack O’Neill, Director of Policy, Advocacy and Influencing.
