Seeds of Hope

BUILDING BELIEF IN BETTER FUTURES ALL OVER BRITAIN

AUTUMN 2024

SEEDS OF HOPE

SEEDS OF HOPE WAS AN EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT TO EXPLORE HOW CULTURE AND CREATIVITY CAN BUILD BELIEF IN BETTER FUTURES. We know feelings of resignation and fatalism are

Following a huge response to a call out for ideas,

widespread in the UK – no surprise in a world

we commissioned a diverse series of creative,

facing so many huge challenges.

hopeful happenings all over Britain – from festivals

Yet there are many seeds of real hope and possibility: people and communities up and down the country rolling up their sleeves to build better futures, stand up to injustice and take care of

of imagination to exhibitions, celebrations of disabled joy to equinox rituals, and much much more – and learned a lot about what it takes to build hope.

each other and nature where governments have

We hope you enjoy learning about the many seeds

repeatedly failed.

of hope that were planted by this project – and

This isn’t the story we usually hear though – too often hope stays in the shadows while doom is in the mainstream. So, in the early days of a new UK

perhaps that they might give you a little more confidence that, together, we really can build better futures.

government, and amid concern about the rise of far-right populism, we wanted to reflect the hope and solidarity we know exists in communities all over the UK. Seeds of Hope was proudly supported by Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s Emerging Futures programme.

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CONTENTS HOPE AS A RADICAL ACT

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EQUINOX WEEKENDER

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REIMAGINE DERBY

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SEEDS OF HOPE

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WE ARE A SEA

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SOANES SUMMER JAM

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HOPEFUL FUTURES

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DREAM PILGRIMAGE

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EARTH RITUAL: AUTUMN EQUINOX

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DISABLED JOY TOUR

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FARMERS’ HARVEST SUPPER

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GLIMMERS: HOPE IN THE DARK

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GROW & GATHER

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COMMUNITY NEWCASTLE

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ENACTING A WORLD BEYOND AIDS

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FETE OF BRITAIN ON TOUR

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TOMORROW .RADIO

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WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT GROWING HOPE (SO FAR) Seeds of Hope was a very experimental, short-term project, instigated quickly in summer 2024.

While we’d need to do much more of this work to really understand how to counter fatalism, we saw a lot of patterns and indicators of how we might build belief in better futures…

There is huge appetite for this type of work — both from creatives (250+ applications in just a few weeks), and from audiences all over the UK who loved it and asked for more. We also saw lots of interest from media (at least 185 articles), and significant support on social media.

The simple act of creating ‘space’ for new possibilities is so important. So many of the experiments showed that providing opportunities for people to come together, to talk about the things that matter or to experience a different way of being – even briefly – cultivates belief in better futures. And so many participants shared that this is a rare and precious thing — that they are almost never asked or listened to about their hopes.

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We need hope the most when things feel hard.

When the racist riots erupted in August 2024, we questioned whether it was the right time to talk about hope for the future. But we found this was exactly what many wanted – to reconnect with the idea that most of us want to live in a world of care and togetherness.

Hope can’t be forced — people need to ‘get there’ on their own. Creating space and permission to imagine or ‘taste’ different possibilities can be enough to begin that journey – but of course deeply entrenched fatalism may take a long time to shift.

Creativity and playfulness helped. There was power in showing up in unexpected ways and spaces to reach people who might not otherwise engage in these kinds of conversations.

Hope for the future cannot bypass the pain of the present. We can, and must, enable people to process the huge struggles of here and now while also inviting different possibilities for the future.

People were willing and able to do this, and it was an important aspect of authentically connecting with hope.

SEEDS OF HOPE FEATURED IN NATIONAL AND REGIONAL PRESS

Hope is felt most strongly in community.

We found that isolation and separation are catalysts for fatalism and apathy. But through community connection we draw strength from one another and feel invigorated to put hope into action.

Hope is a muscle that needs consistent exercising.

We found that hope can be catalysed by these types of experiments, but many were left wanting more or wanting to know what next. To keep hope alive, we need to work towards long-term, continuous cues to build “hopeful muscle memory”, not just one-off interventions.

The recipe for hope is unique to each community.

What works for one may not work for another; the task of the hope-builder is to listen to a specific community’s dreams, challenges and opportunities, and to build relationships that go far beyond any one event.

People want to feel part of something bigger.

People felt more hopeful if they had a sense of connecting with other initiatives and movements – to learn that they are among many, many people who want to work toward better futures together.

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HOPE AS A RADICAL ACT NEWCASTLE

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Hope As A Radical Act was an immersive pop up exhibition bringing together a diverse group of artists to explore and reimagine protest culture, focusing on hope as a powerful force for positive change.

Through a mix of visual art, video installations, interactive elements and community workshops, curators Paul Warrior, Jimmy Turrell and guests inspired visitors to reimagine activism – focusing on creativity and constructive action. Following a huge success in Newcastle – including over 600 people attending the event, a reach of >190K on social media, coverage on ITV news and in local outlets, and an incredible public reaction – Hope As A Radical Act will be going on the road in 2025.

HopeAsARadicalAct.org @hopeasaradicalact_

watch the film

“ We hope that people feel like their voice matters, that they are filled with a sense of possibility.

Hope doesn’t have to be a passive thought. Hope can be something to actively nurture, something creative, constructive and full of potential.”

PAUL WARRIOR, CURATOR

“ Absolutely brilliant… it was just the medicine I needed to feel better, we got a lot of inspiration!”

ATTENDEE

“ We were blown away with the public response and engagement – we had people travelling over 100 miles to come see the show” PAUL WARRIOR, CURATOR

PHOTOS BY BOBZILLA AND RYAN EDY

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EQUINOX WEEKENDER LIVERPOOL

Over the Autumn Equinox weekend (and on the eve of the Labour Party conference in Liverpool), Squash Liverpool C.I.C welcomed their community to build more hope by sharing the harvest and playing out on Windsor Street, L8. Activities included pavement drawing, street sofa and fireside chats, ‘Digesting Politics’, mindful crafting, ‘Trustfrastructure’, djing & dancing, seed-saving, making immune-boosting tonics, adding to the ‘100 Year Street News’, a ritual journey walk, eating soup & cake, and a raucous Harvest Auction with patron Andi Oliver. squashliverpool.co.uk @squashliverpool

“ I keep thinking about how the whole weekend felt like an open invitation to to be hopeful, and to show that you care.”

PARTICIPANT

“ People have already been saying, ‘Can’t we do this every Saturday?

This is really brilliant.’ People are just absolutely loving it. And it’s a joy to behold... To have a place where we can actually discuss things, feel things, talk about things, and not feel pressure, antagonism, aggression, but to actually catch ourselves enjoying ourselves and each other and being playful – that’s really important.””

CLARE OWENS, SQUASH

PHOTOS BY MINA BIHI

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REIMAGINE DERBY

DERBY

ReImagine Derby was a day-long festival of possibility, showcasing what Derby could be by acting as if the future is already here.

The event, created by Down to Earth Derby, was based at their community garden Electric Daisy and stretched into the city centre, including workshops, art, food, storytelling, a citizen science lab, an AR/VR experience to visualise a re-imagined Derby, music, conversations, a parade, river ceremony and more, attracting thousands of visitors. dtederby.org @dteregen

“ Such a great day, just what the world needs more of.”

PARTICIPANT

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PHOTOS BY CRISTINA SIMION

“ There was just so much joy on people’s faces, it was so emotional.

That’s hope — seeing the community come together.”

JAMIE QUINCE-STARKEY, DOWN TO EARTH DERBY

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SEEDS OF HOPE

LONDON

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“ Hope has been in communities and continues to be in communities.”

L AURA, WORK & CLASS

Seeds of Hope’s London launch event celebrated the power of growing and nature connection to build belief in better futures.

In the sun-soaked Story Garden in King’s Cross, community gardener Tayshan Hayden-Smith held a powerful conversation with other leading voices in the growing movement about the hope we find in each other and the natural world. At the heart of the event – attended by influencers, journalists and special guests – was an ice cream van transformed into a vibrant symbol of hope. With original illustrations from Tegan Price, the van gave out packets of seeds and information about the many national events, as well as delicious ice cream. @workandclassagency @manliketaysh @ariasaleja @dteregen @rootsallotments @miseryparty @globalgeneration @byteganprice

PHOTOS BY SIMON JACOBS

“ Community is at the crux of any flourishing society and ecosystem.

Community cultivates collective change for the betterment of both people and planet.”

TAYSHAN HAYDEN-SMITH

“ So wonderful to be a part of this hope seed network.

Nature is growing and blooming and we all have a role to play.”

KALPANA ARIAS

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WE ARE A SEA

HASTINGS & ST LEONARDS

WE ARE A SEA is a new, inclusive headline for Hastings which reflects the growing ocean of solidarity, hope and possibility within the local community. WE ARE A SEA launched with a local media campaign building up to a fun weekend of joyful seafront activities celebrating local heroes who help keep their seas and shoreline clean, safe, and welcoming.

The campaign and collaborative, decentralised festival was led by artist-activist Beccy McCray, designed to forge critical community connections through workshops, artworks, acts of resistance, bike rides, beach cleans, mural painting and much more. weareasea.net www.beccymccray-workwork.com/ creative-director/weareasea @beccy_mccraycray

watch the film

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“ [To build hope] it takes people together, collectively. Trying to carry the weight of the world on your own is not how we’ve evolved, and it’s the separation that we’re all feeling now that makes everything so much bleaker.

You know, what is it they say about a problem shared is a problem halved?”

PARTICIPANT (HASTINGS BIKE PROJECT)

“ I think it’s really important to be positive, to include all the different communities in that positivity and to highlight all the amazing things that are actually going on in our community. That’s what gives people hope.”

PARTICIPANT (REFUGEE BUDDY PROJECT)

PHOTOS BY ALICE DENNY, VIDEO BY BETH KING

Hopeful Futures was a weekend public gathering to celebrate hopeful initiatives across the Highlands and ask, how do we plant the seeds of hope, possibility, and solidarity in our communities? Hosted by Kirsten Body from Circus Artspace and creative collaborator Mairi McFadyen, the event featured talks, discussions, workshops, music, zine-making and a chance to print and bind a copy of the crowdsourced ‘Hopeful Highlands Hack.’ The centrepiece was a community meal, offering local food and live music. Since the gathering, local groups have remained connected to share ideas and information, with the hope of beginning to build local and regional solidarity economies. circus.scot @mairi.mcfadyen @circus_artspace

“ The Hopeful Futures gathering was such a boost for the soul. In a time when the future can often seem hope-less, and doing what we can to work towards a viable alternative can feel exhausting and a bit lonely - experiences like these are such an essential and uplifting resource.”

PARTICIPANT 16

watch the film

“ I’ve learned that the invitation to gather to celebrate hope is something people truly want and need.

I was amazed at how quickly people embraced the idea many offered help in various ways simply because they wanted to see it come to life.

The enthusiasm has since rippled out, with connections already leading to other events and projects.”

MAIRI, CURATOR

INVERNES

HOPEFUL FUTURES PHOTOS BY ALEXANDER WILLIAMSON

S

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SOANES SUMMER JAM

LONDON

The Soanes Summer Jam was a celebration of community and solidarity and a fundraiser for the campaign to get a long-term, secure lease for the Soanes Centre in East London. The event brought together a wide and international range of artists, organisations, and the local community – featuring gardening and visioning workshops, live music, spoken word and poetry, ritual, activities for children, a raffle, and food.

In preparation, the community came together to collectively build installations across the site using found and recycled materials – a beautiful and inspiring demonstration of the power of community. kinstructures.com savesoanes.com @kinstructures @savesoanes

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“ We experienced the vast potential of the power of our community – we had over 50+ volunteers donate their time to the collective build over four days and many more attend… This seeded not just hope but also the beginning of realising a path forward where the community leads the care for and improvement of the Soanes Centre. We have also demonstrated that our campaign can be celebratory and joyful while also being a means of resistance.”

KWAME LOWE, KIN STRUCTURES

“ The connections that can be forged in a space like this can be very transformative… on a personal scale, social, political… That’s the real meaning of community, people getting to know each other, showing up for each other to ultimately affect more positive change for their lives.”

watch the film

PARTICIPANT

PHOTOS BY HUMOTHY

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DREAM PILGRIMAGE WHITLEY B T O L O N D O AY N

Artist Nicola Sokell has been exchanging dreams between strangers with her Dreamcoat project for almost 20 years. For Seeds of Hope she created a blanket declaring these dreams, taking it on a pilgrimage to collect hopes and dreams from all across her local community at ‘picnic’ gatherings. Adding dreams to the blanket as she went, Nicola’s pilgrimage ended at Parliament in London where she presented the dreams to her local MP, Sir Alan Campbell. nicolasokell.com @thedreamcoat @nicolasokell 20

“ I find it a very immediate thing - it changes people’s mindsets in that moment, they become more open, more connected, more subtly confident. And possibly, seeing how easy it is to move into a different mindset, sets off a deeper, longer term belief in hope and possibility or even just adopting that mindset more permanently. It seems like an offering to develop the muscle memory of hope and belief.”

NICOLA SOKELL

“ When I asked Alan Campbell if he thought hope was important, speaking from his 27 years experience as MP for Tynemouth he said “I don’t think it is, I know it is.”

NICOLA SOKELL

PHOTOS BY NICOLA SOKELL AND GABY ZAK

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“ No one is guaranteed another spring, right? And yet we have to live and act like spring is definitely coming. What felt really beautiful, a lot of people commented on how that somehow captured the active nature of hope, that you don’t just sit back and ‘Oh, I hope there’ll be another harvest’, you live and you act like there’s definitely another spring coming.”

EVVA SEMENOWICZ, CO-CREATOR

EARTH RITUAL: AUTUMN EQUINOX

“ My heart is blown open. There is so much fear out there so to feel part of that collective – I will carry that on with me, through the dark times, back to the light.”

PARTICIPANT

BRISTOL

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“ It made me feel that there is potential for people to connect in a different way.

Who knows where the future is going to take us but if we can learn to connect better with each other and our planet… that’s enough for me to be optimistic about the future.”

PARTICIPANT

watch the film

Of the Wild is an expanding collective of circus artists, dancers, performers, musicians, singers, spoken word artists and storytellers from the South West, who feel passionate about the role of ritual in our lives. For the Autumn Equinox, they created an immersive and participatory performance to prepare for the darker part of the year and nourish seeds of hope for the next cycle.

Participants of all ages came together at the Trinity Centre in Bristol to enjoy spectacular performances and ritual elements to harvest and give thanks for all that sustains us, then enjoyed a delicious shared meal. @of.the.wild.circus @eloisecirque @evva_sem 23

PHOTOS BY LEONI FRETWELL

DISABLED JOY TOUR

ACROSS ENGL

“ I really hope this opens up a more broad conversation about disability in our society, where disability starts to be seen as part of life, and not, I suppose, as part of death.”

GEORGIA BONDY, WELL ADAPT

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AND

“ I learned that there are as many definitions of disabled joy as there are disabled people” GEORGIA BONDY, WELL ADAPT

Throughout Autumn 2024, awardwinning disabled advocate Georgia Bondy took to the road to host a series of fireside chats exploring the topic of disabled joy: the joy that comes because of disability, not in spite of it. She hosted five inspiring disabled guests in five cities – Paralympian Carly Tait (Manchester), award-winning burlesque icon Little Peaches (Liverpool), multidisciplinary artist Christopher Samuel (Birmingham), soprano and drag king Tito Bone (Sheffield), and writer and Founder of Bounce Black Nikki Adebiyi (London). All conversations were open to the public for free both in-person and online. well-adapt.com @well.adapt @tait.carly @littlepeachesburlesque @christophersamuel_ @kingtitobone @nikkibiyi PHOTOS BY WELL ADAPT

“ Thanks so much, this was so interesting and gorgeous!

Really appreciate the livestream so I could lie in my chronically ill nest and listen rather than having to come in person and be in loads of pain.”

PARTICIPANT 25

“ Imagination is a crucial aspect of climate transition.

We need North Stars to work towards and have a sense of what is possible. We can also surface examples that are already demonstrating the kind of regenerative futures that we want to see.”

MAGDA PETFORD, BLACK MOUNTAINS COLLEGE

FARMERS’ HARVEST SUPPER POWYS

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Black Mountains College was founded as a response to the climate and ecological emergency, to help create a future in which nature and human societies thrive.

In October they gathered members of the farming community across rural Wales to share a delicious meal and envision regenerative futures for local food systems. As part of the evening, former Chief Scientific Advisor to the Welsh Government Dr Harvard Prosser and BMC Director Ben Rawlence shared insights from new research into future farming viability in Wales, and facilitators Owen Griffiths and Magda Petford helped the group build relationships and imagine positive futures for agriculture and food systems.

Hopefully this is the beginning of a long-term network that will help BMC better understand the role they can play in supporting farmers to develop skills and knowledge for a fast-changing world.

“ Keep up the good work, holding events that connect the farming community, especially the conventional farmers, is very valuable.”

PARTICIPANT

blackmountainscollege.uk @blackmountainscollege

PHOTOS BY BETH FLYNN

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GLIMMERS R A M S G AT E

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“ I always feel like I am negative. But now I actually think I understand what positive feels like?

I just think I didn’t know what it feels like before?”

PARTICIPANT

“ The brief to create hope was so beautiful, so exquisite that I was worried I’d never be able to do it justice.

But I feel overwhelmingly positive that we have not only succeeded but imagined and realised a little world of magic. From every artist that has helped we have elicited the same response; we’ve all witnessed true glimmers of joy and hope. I feel changed as an artist from this project.”

REBECCA STRICKSON

Glimmers is a collaboration between artist Rebecca Strickson and Arts in Ramsgate – a notfor-profit community centre and gallery. Over three months, with the help of several local artists, musicians and creative practitioners, they set out to help cultivate and manifest hope for the local community through a series of free creative workshops, culminating in a shared exhibition.

Participants came together to dream and make work together to explore what hope looks, tastes and sounds like – for their lives and futures, communities and worlds. A beautiful community meal was also shared as part of the series. artsinramsgate.com www.rebeccastrickson.com @rebecca_strickson_illustration @artsinramsgate

“ For us disabled people we can come here and we can be together and learn things and forget about everything.

We really can feel hopeful because we have our friends and we have each other in this group.”

PARTICIPANT

PHOTOS BY JEMMA CULLEN

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RE

GROW & GATHER

RICHMONDSHI

“ I’m thankful for time together, belonging and connection.”

PARTICIPANT

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Grow and Gather was a hopeful happening curated by Joanne Coates, celebrated photographer and the UK’s official Election Artist for 2024. Near her home in the North Eastern Yorkshire dales (one of the most rural settings in the UK), she brought together members of her community – often rooted in the past – to imagine and grow a future together. Activities included a community harvest festival, meal and barn dance (to which she hand-delivered invitations to include hard-to-reach members of the community), farm walk, seed swap and installation of a seed library, a ‘tree of dreams’ on which participants shared their hopes and wishes for the area, and an artists’ meet-up and skill share. joannecoates.co.uk @joannecoates_ @roovaarts

“ There was a lot of hope, but there was also a little bit of worry, because people were like, I want you to do this again, or something similar or expanded.”

JOANNE COATES

“ It’s not just one thing; it’s this kind of layering of things that make people come together and have hopefulness.”

JOANNE COATES

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COMMUNITY

NEWCASTLE

CommUnity was a series of free art and communication workshops curated by Dami Fawehinmi, by and for people from marginalised communities living in the North East. From poster-making in underfunded schools to a mural workshop to visualise a queer utopia (and much more), the series was created to offer space and permission for marginalised groups to express their hopes and wishes for the future. It culminated in a finale event at the Old Coal Yard in collaboration with ESA.NE and Sister Shack, featuring panel discussions, creative sessions, knowledge sharing and space to relax, inspire and share art. naviimedia.com @naviimedia @journalsofdami

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“ We especially wanted to focus on marginalized creatives who have a different experience and stories on their journey.

This was such a wonderful opportunity for people to know there is a space for them here and they deserve to be here.”

DAMI FAWEHINMI

“ I want to say the biggest thank you to everyone who helped us create spaces for us by us. Over the months, we’ve been able to share these spaces and platform voices that we do not see, working together not alone, for a more intersectional society. It’s been so beautiful to see what everyone has done and I’m so excited to see everyone’s future!”

DAMI FAWEHINMI

PHOTOS BY PHOTOS BY DAMI FAWEHINMI AND AMY J ROBINSON

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ENACTING A WORLD BEYOND AIDS LONDON

“ When feeling consumed with despair and frustration, being able to connect with other ACT UP members allows you to re-set, re-focus and collectively restore energy. Community is vital if we are going to make a difference. Together we can fight back and make sure our voices are heard.”

PARTICIPANT

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PHOTOS BY ACT UP LONDON

“ It provides such peace to our already stressed immune systems to be connected with a programme that is tuned in through their levels of expertise, creative genius, care and support for all us who exist on the margins.

As the political, social and ecological crises become more acute, initiatives like this are a blueprint for transformation, healing, insight and hope that the world needs in abundance.”

DAN GLASS, ACT UP LONDON

It’s incredible to think how far the AIDS movement has come since the beginning of the crisis; quantum leaps have taken place in healthcare and support brought about by relentless and visionary activism. This autumn ACT UP has been building belief in a world beyond AIDS – launching an intergenerational activist mentorship programme and creative actions calling for the price of drugs to be lowered so everyone can benefit. They also hosted a ‘catwalk for power, resistance and hope’ and launched the ACT UP PIN UP calendar to platform titans of healthcare activism and enact a world in which people living with HIV are seen as strong, creative, beautiful and resilient. actuplondon.wordpress.com @actup_london 35

FETE OF BRITAIN ON TOUR watch the film

, LUTON, CORBY , G T YA R M O U T H H PETERBOROUG

“ This has been a brilliant day, the best day we’ve had down here. Corby is the biggest little village in England, we all know each other and look out for each other, but this has been great, because you’ve come here and looked out for us too, and got to know us.

Thank you Hard Art.” PARTICIPANT 36

“ We’ve talked about hope and its challenges, but the seeds are there.

We weren’t going and sowing them, we were seeing that they’re already here. And they need watering.”

CHARLIE, HARD ART

Hard Art is a cultural collective of artists, activists and scientists whose early experiments include The Fête of Britain: a celebration of collaboration and imagination in the face of the great challenges of our time. In November 2024 they took the Fête on tour – visiting diverse places across the UK to build a sense of hope and possibility through asking the simple question: what’s best about where you live? Featuring a Public Living Room set up on the streets

by The Camerados for informal conversations, a Census of Britain installation canvassing local people on key issues, political speech writing workshops led by DASH Arts and local organisations, pedalpowered clothes making from Sweatshop, and storytelling, music, evening events and free baked potatoes curated by The Bureau of Silly Ideas, the tour started conversations and connections with hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds.

“ The only way to challenge polarisation is to get people to persuade themselves out of their entrenched positions – and you only get to that if you stay in the room long enough to listen, for people to talk it out. You have to be there for that conversation to get to the point where the person can take a look at what they’re saying or believing or feeling.

That’s when polarisation dissolves, by staying and listening. So we created the physical spaces for that.”

ALEX, HARD ART

hardart.metalabel.com @hardart.collective

PHOTOS BY IMMO CLINK

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TOMORROW.RADIO 38

Tomorrow.Radio is a digital, audiovisual radio station where anyone can tune into real messages of hope from across the world. The brainchild of RADAR, a global community committed to thinking about and building better futures, tomorrow.radio was launched online inviting people to share messages and stories, big and small, of what’s bringing users hope, brought to life by an AI DJ. A campaign then rolled out in local communities in places including pubs, parks and a football pitch to pose the invitation ‘Tomorrow Could Be Brilliant, Tell Us Why…’.

Tune in or leave your own message at www.tomorrow.radio. tomorrow.radio radardao.xyz @radar_xyz

“ The future might not be so terrible. In fact, we hope it will be brilliant. That’s what Tomorrow.Radio is broadcasting - the voices of real people who have seen the possibility of a better future in some small, but locally hopeful way.”

ANNA ROSE KERR, RADAR

Thanks for reading We hope you’ve enjoyed learning a little about the seeds of hope these projects planted.

Of course there are thousands more groups and individuals doing beautiful work to build belief in better futures up and down the UK, and and we hope you will celebrate and share your own examples.

“ A brilliant tomorrow, for me, is less about radical change and more about growing and cultivating sparkles of change we already see in our daily lives. I think Gen Z are making the moves necessary for a better living through activism and cultural impact and it’s exciting to see!”

PARTICIPANT

This project left us with a lot of inspiration, and a lot of questions too – including what it would take to really disrupt the narratives that drive fatalism at scale, and to build power alongside hope to grow the better futures these projects gave us a glimpse of.

We also know it’s really important to build and sustain belief in better futures, and that one-off, rapid response happenings can only do so much in this context.

We hope this is just the beginning of much, much more work to bring hope out of the shadows and onto centre stage across the nation, and the world.

In a context of violence, fear and uncertainty, hope is a radical act. And in the words of Mariame Kaba, “Hope is not optimism. Hope is a discipline… we have to practice it every single day.”

CREATED BY RADAR AND PRINTED BY PETIT PRESS

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Hope is an unquantifiable force its form subjective to the beholder_ what shape does it take for you_ where do you find it_ where do you hide it_ does it like cats_ what does it smell like_ can it jump_ does it dissipate in the rain and trickle away down cracks in the pavement or is it omnipresent_ does its force engage you like a fast moving train hurtling toward as your feet are trapped in the tracks or as air pushed gently by a butterflys wing_ does hope walk with a swagger or with the gait of a gout sufferer_ is it dressed to the nines or does it haul its ragged trousers up and secure them with a smile and a length of threadbare string_ does hope live in the spaces between or in the centre of everything_ what makes it on occasion gregarious and why is it sometimes hard to find_ hope weaves as mycelium a pulsing undercurrent oftinvisible to the naked eye and most times undiscoverable to a closed heart or mind_ yet its force can permeate the most hardened terrains or surfaces and triumph during the most bloody of battles_ it cuts through division and can peel open the dawn_ hope is a melody an equation a moments magic amidst the storm_ it hides it glides it never chides and always_ when it is searched for_ can be found_ hope is a radical act in the theatre of life_ go hang out with it sit in the stalls grab some popcorn and enjoy the show_ hope has much to give_ THEWRITINGSONTHEWALL, 2024