In a world seemingly on its knees with bad news – from wars and genocides, to climate catastrophe and social and political division at every turn – hope and unity have never been more vital resources. But where do we find them, how do we harness them and what help can they bring?

With each passing day we edge closer to Spring.  Nature is literally and metaphorically turning to the light and we naturally seek out those rays of hope -those signs that new life, new beginnings and fresh starts are on the horizon.

A couple of weeks ago I, and many others, found some in an unexpected place – at the half time interval at the most commercial of world events – the Superbowl. Bad Bunny, the Grammy award winning Puerto Rican star delivered a deeply moving ode to unity and hope of epic proportions. 

The stadium was briefly taken over – not by advertising slogans and cheerleaders – but by a sea of flags from every nation on earth.  He didn’t just implore the viewing millions to embrace diversity – he lived it for a precious 14 minutes.  Surrounded by the whole spectrum of community – life was truly celebrated, and love, kindness, hope and joyful resistance were centre stage.

Since the high of that moment I have been seeking signs of hope in every corner of my day.

I found it briefly in the widespread outcry following Jim Ratcliffe’s despicable comments about immigration.  From working class football supporters, to high profile business leaders, politicians and commentators, the nation came together to point out who really is to blame for the parlous state of our public services – and it was our unity across our different backgrounds that was being celebrated, not tax dodging billionaires who seek to divide us.

I was also moved to find out that it was the first time in history that the Christian Festival of Mardi Gras, the start of Muslim period of Ramadan and Lunar New Year have all fallen on the same day.  Three huge swathes of humanity, covering around 70% of the world’s population, united in celebration of new beginnings.

Then to top off that symbolism Jesse Jackson, one of the most high profile advocates for unity in our divided world, died peacefully that very morning, as if he was being held by peoples of every race and creed in his last moments.

As I started to actively seek out hope, I found more than just a momentary peak in optimism. As Rebecca Solnit noted, “hope” is to make peace with the knowledge that we don’t know how things will turn out, yet uses that uncertainty to give us space to act, to do something: “alone or in concert with a few dozen or several million others”. It pushes us to seek action and to look for who we can stand alongside.  It urges us towards unity.

This week almost felt like a tide had turned, that the light was rising.  That radical change was possible and bubbling beneath the surface, across places and cultures and continents.

Without hope we are nothing.  Without unity in our diversity we can have no hope for a truly better future. 

Of course this is not the first time I’ve actively sought out hope, and I’m far from the only person to be highlighting its vital role now.  In 2024 I wrote about the role of hope as fuel for radical change.  At that time, Labour had just launched its manifesto entitled Project Hope. Now, two disheartening years later, the Green Party is riding on a wave of belief in their ‘make hope normal again’ refrain. At our core, politicians and public alike, we all know hope is far more than merely optimism, it is a key driver for humanity to progress.  

In that earlier blog I laid out a set of actions to help us fuel our hope and rekindle our ability to drive radical change.  Those steps are as needed today. Throughout the intervening years Centre for Thriving Places has had the honour of working alongside more and more people and places who are delivering that change every day.

And soon, we will launch something to really spotlight and honour those people. Watch this space…

In the meantime, the last couple of weeks have taught me that hope is alive and well – and burning bright in small corners across our wonderful diverse world. We just need to seek it out. Spot it where it is hiding.  And bring it out into the emerging light of spring for all to see, bask in and build upon.

If you would like support to inject active hope and radical unity into your organisation, community or place, get in touch with Centre for Thriving Places at hello@centreforthrivingplaces.org.