A Million Acts of Hope

Methodist churches across Britain are uniting to bring to light daily, and often unseen, acts of kindness as part of the A Million Acts of Hope campaign.

From Camden in London to Seascale in Cumbria, churches are taking part with the likes of shared walks, warm spaces, meals and banner-making workshops as part of the massive UK-wide initiative from 13 to 20 May 2026.

The Methodist Church is joining with hundreds of charities, community groups and faith organisations to celebrate the everyday acts of kindness, care and connection happening across the UK. With more than 200 partners signed up and nearly 1,000 activities planned, organisers say it is set to be the largest civil society coalition mobilisation of its kind this century.

A Million Acts of Hope is being launched amid division in the UK as messages of hate from the far right are amplified in certain sections of the nation’s politics.

On 13 May, Camden Town Methodist Church organised a community banner-making event as part of the campaign, drawing more than a dozen people under the message of ‘hope happens here’.

People of many different faiths, and none, took part creating a beautiful banner of a dove with a branch of peace, soaring above a green background.

Deacon Sally Wheadon said the idea was a kind of ‘craftivism’, welcoming diversity and non-violent opposition to hate.

She said: “It’s about giving people a voice in a non-threatening and non-violent way, which fits in with our Christian beliefs and Christian teaching of welcoming the marginalised and the stranger. It shows our faith in the teachings of Jesus through action.”

In South Warwickshire Methodist Circuit, three Warm Welcome Spaces will run activities and community invitations throughout the week, alongside their existing Warm Hubs. They are also hosting a ‘bread church’ gathering, inviting people to bake bread together.

Hove Methodist Church has a range of activities planned, while Seascale Methodist Church is hosting an ‘event of hope’ coffee morning on Saturday 16 May from 10.00am to 12.00pm, with funds being raised to support Calderwood House, a local charity working with people experiencing homelessness.

Other churches getting in on the campaign include Preston’s Kirkham Methodist Church, which is hosting a ‘take and make’ activity, a coffee morning at North Norfolk food bank and an Ascension Day walk, picnic and outdoor service, including time to appreciate local flora, held by St John’s Methodist Church in Settle, Yorkshire.

The Revd Tim Broughton, of St John’s Methodist Church, said: “The idea for an outdoor Ascension Day service is one that we have talked about and even planned in previous years, but the weather has previously defeated us!

“Living in the Dales, it seems a natural thing to climb a hillside and overlook the surrounding fells as we share food together and think about Ascension Day.

“We will meet at the farm on a hillside overlooking Upper Ribblesdale for a picnic, whilst we also look for early purple orchids and other upland flowers. This will be followed by a short service for Ascension Day, celebrating Christ's return to glory as he is taken into the clouds.”

Graeme Russell, church and community missioner of the South Warwickshire Methodist Circuit, said: “I feel called to make a difference in people’s lives – helping them move from difficult situations towards a better place.

“My hope is that the spaces and activities I help to create, support and nurture will enable this journey by offering encouragement, connection and hope.

“I want people not only to experience hope for themselves, but also to share it with others and inspire them to move towards a better future.

“We all need hope when life is hard. It is important to recognise and thank those who provide signs of hope and create places of welcome, support and encouragement for people who are desperately in need of even the smallest glimpse of hope in their lives.”