More than 130 charities have now pledged their support to a campaign aimed at addressing social divisions in Britain.
Ahead of a week of activities from 13 to 20 May across the country, A Million Acts of Hope has today urged 100,000 people to sign a card in tribute to “people who work to make their communities brighter”.
The Biggest Ever Thank You Card has already garnered nearly half its targeted signatures as part of the campaign backed by charities including Crisis, Mencap and Trussell.
Its card asks people: “Who brings you hope? Let people know about the hopefuls doing their thing near you.”
Matt Downie, Crisis chief executive, urged people to give through individual acts of kindness amid a troubling socio-political landscape.
Downie said: “The voices of hate and division can be loud and give the impression that Britain is hopelessly fractured.
“It can be hard to be hopeful in changing and uncertain times and when day-to-day living costs continue to rise.
“Despite these pressures, there are so many quiet acts of kindness and resilience to celebrate and give us reason to be optimistic.”
Sian Summers-Rees, Sanctuary UK chief officer, added that community cafes, repair hubs and gardens would host celebrations as part of the mid-May offering.
“Across the UK, people are choosing to stand against division and to build communities where everyone belongs,” she said. “That is the story of hope we need to share.”
‘Chilling effect’ on civil society
NCVO and Hope Not Hate developed A Million Acts of Hope with an aim to combat social hostility and its “chilling effect” on civil society.
In December, NCVO published research showing that charities’ employees, volunteers and beneficiaries were feeling “increasingly unsafe” against a backdrop of growing social and political division across the UK.
Also in December, the Charity Commission published guidance for charities on how to respond to the current “hostile environment”.
Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds of British people say the UK feels divided in 2026, the highest since at least 2022, according to data from More in Common, an organisation founded after the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016.
From 13 to 20 May, events such as community cafes, repair hubs and community gardens will be held across the UK as part of the campaign to celebrate and encourage acts of hope.
