A Million Acts of Hope

 

A Million Acts of Hope, a UK-wide event celebrating community, kindness, and connection, was the second exhibition in May. Despite what the news or social media suggest, the UK is not a divided nation as millions in the UK regularly support each other through everyday acts like helping neighbours, picking up litter, or coaching a football team. This event showcased the positive impact people have on one another, and the display reflected the ways in which individuals help each other in the community.

Local people were invited to share their own acts of kindness or those of others. These were then displayed in the windows on two sides of the Telephone Gallery. Class 5 coloured the word HOPE, which was put in the smaller side windows and also turned into bunting. I also cut out the letters HOPE and used bubble wrap to print them in different colours. Decorations from the AK Festival were reused to good effect and the fairy lights made it look magical at night.
Here are a few of the acts of kindness displayed:
·        My husband helps our neighbours with jobs they can no longer manage.
 
·        Just wanted to say thank you to all villagers that have been involved in organising or are members of the AK Village groups from Toddler group, Play group,  Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Football club, Tennis club, Badminton Club, Choir, Parish Council, Playing Fields Assoc., PTA, WI, Reading Group, and Craft Club to name but a few! This all contributes to Ashton Keynes being a lovely vibrant community. Thank you!
 
·        The Village Shop is a lifeline.
 
·        Mrs Saville is a truly exceptional headteacher. Many thanks to her and all the staff at the school for giving all the children such a great start to their education and giving them all a love of learning.
 
·        I knit hats for the homeless and premature baby hats for the baby unit at Great Western Hospital.
 
·        I really appreciate the fun and friendship I enjoy with my WI friends.

 

To help create pathways for bees and butterflies, Class 5 decorated envelopes with flower drawings and I then filled them with pollinator-friendly seeds. These free “Seeds of Hope” packets were then given out on Friday afternoon to anyone who wanted one.
Our local MP Roz Savage visited the exhibition and met representatives from several village groups. She spent time reading the displays, praised the exhibition, and spoke about the importance of showing how connected communities are. She enjoyed chatting with everyone, loved the “Seeds of Hope” idea, and took a packet home to sow. The exhibition was also featured in the local newspaper.