Despite growing and more complex global challenges, seven in ten UK adults say they feel hopeful about their future, according to new research released today by the British Red Cross.
The survey of 2,000 UK adults reveals that acts of kindness (54%), medical and scientific advances (53%), and seeing people help each other within a community (44%) are key sources of optimism for people. Additionally, the vast majority (95%) said witnessing communities recover and rebuild after an emergency is important to their sense of hope for the future.
The findings coincide with the launch of Hope Street, a two-day immersive experience in Battersea Power Station’s Malaysia Square, which invites the public to discover emotive stories of hope from across the world. Each story reveals how people impacted by emergencies are rebuilding their lives and futures.
As well as revealing what gives people hope, the research also exposes what makes people feel less hopeful about the future. Over three fifths of UK adults (60%) say global conflicts are a reason for less hope, and two fifths (41%) cite the impact of climate change.
Yet, the research also suggests that people are able to find hope even when seeing people caught in an emergency such as a flood or conflict on the news. Over half (53%) say they draw hope from seeing communities working together. The same number said witnessing emergency responders and volunteers in action provides a reason to be hopeful.
Beatrice Butsana-Sita, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross, said:
“Today, despite a challenging global landscape, its clear people continue to draw hope from one another. This might be through kindness and support within a community – or seeing the strength of others across the world, rebuilding after a disaster.
“In my role at the British Red Cross, I see humanity and hope every day – around the world and across the UK – through the people we support and through our dedicated staff and volunteers.
“Hope Street brings the power of hope to life. Each of the stories behind the doors demonstrate the strength of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the people and communities we work alongside.”
One of the featured stories is Gina’s, Head Nurse at Silele Clinic in Eswatini, run by Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross, whose work supporting her community highlights everyday resilience and the power of hope in action.
Gina, Head Nurse at Red Cross’ Silele Clinic in Eswatini, added:
“Working in my community, I see resilience and hope every single day. Our clinic is in one of the most rural regions of Eswatini. If people cannot come to us, we come to them.
“Hope Street shares our story and others like it from across the globe. For me, hope is in those moments when you realise you’ve helped someone through one of the hardest times in their life.”