Charities launch campaign to tackle hostility and division

A campaign has been launched by a coalition of civil society leaders, charities and faith groups to tackle hostility and division in society by highlighting “everyday acts of hope and kindness”.

The Million Acts of Hope campaign aims to promote good work taking place by charities against “a backdrop of growing pessimism, hostility and division”.

It will involve a week of action to take place from 13 to 20 May this year.

“Every day, millions of people across the UK take action to support one another,” said the coalition, which includes NCVO and charities including Save the Children UK, the Wildlife Trusts, Crisis, Amnesty International and Refuge.

“From children’s sports coaching; to food bank volunteering; community food growing and simply helping out a neighbour - acts of hope and kindness happen all the time.

“These actions rarely make the headlines, yet they are the true story of Britain: practical, caring, and quietly transformational.”

NCVO chief executive Kate Lee says the campaign has been launched as “polarised public debate and hostile narratives are having a chilling effect on civil society, undermining charities’ ability to operate freely, deepening division and putting more people at risk”.

She added: “We must ensure civil society is protected. By reaffirming our shared values and creating a space for positive, inclusive action, this campaign can help ensure charities are able to continue to meet the needs of the people and communities that rely on them.

Save the Children UK chief executive Moazzam Malik said that charities are supporting people “quietly and without fanfare”.

“This spring, we want to shine a light on those fighting to give all our children a better future, and to encourage people up and down our country to undertake more acts of hope,” he said.

Another charity leader involved in the campaign is Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, who said that each day in the homelessness sector the charity sees “daily how acts of kindness can have a real impact”.

“We believe, because we see it, that Britain is a compassionate country,” he added.

“A country where, when the chips are down, people rally to help others, and we look forward to recognising and celebrating this through A Million Acts of Hope.”