Earlier this month, we saw extreme, racist violence in Belfast, whipped up by commentators with huge online platforms.

Over recent years these commentators have told stories of division, painting a picture of a country on the cusp of all-out conflict. Left unchallenged, these stories can become self-fulfilling, with people turning away from one another.

There is another story to tell though. It’s one that we in the VCSE sector experience every day; people working together to make life better. They volunteer at a local foodbank, stop for a chat with someone who looks lonely, coach their children’s football team or bring their community together.

Too often, these everyday acts of generosity, kindness and hope go unnoticed, while stories of division are in the spotlight. A Million Acts of Hope is a campaign to change that.

Groups across Norfolk have risen to the challenge, with events and campaigns taking place in May and June:

• Norwich City of Sanctuary led the Hope Happens Here campaign, collecting acts of hope and creating an exhibition at The Forum during Refugee Week
• Voluntary Norfolk ran a social media campaign highlighting some of the amazing, hopeful acts that happen every day in Norfolk – find the stories from 13 May on Instagram or Facebook
• The Baha’is of Gorleston & Great Yarmouth hosted a community walk along the Gorleston cliffs with shared readings, poems and reflections exploring the theme of hope
• North Norfolk Foodbank held a coffee morning to celebrate volunteers and community support
• Mencap and Oxfam shops in Great Yarmouth, Norwich, Thetford and Diss created Million Acts of Hope displays in-store
• Diss Town of Sanctuary is seeking to create a display of the Hope Happens Here cards.

These projects have helped bring to light so many of the inspiring acts of kindness and care that are part of the fabric of Norfolk life. Some of the Acts of Hope collected at The Forum included:

“Seeing cricketers who are refugees from Afghanistan relishing playing the game they love here in Norfolk.”

“There is a lady who rides her bike down Marriotts Way and picks litter. Just on her own.”

Voluntary Norfolk celebrated some of the people giving their time to make Norfolk better. One of the stories was of Jess, from New-U:

“Jess is the best volunteer our charity could hope to wish for! As well as supporting our wide range of community pop-up clothing events across Norfolk, Jess also finds time to be a Volunteer Mentor supporting unemployed adults with complex needs fulfil their employability goals and aspirations after they complete a work experience placement with us.”

These examples help to illustrate the story we must keep telling. Life is tough for so many of us, but turning against each other only makes things worse. Every day, people are working together to make life better – and that is worth celebrating.

It’s not too late to get involved!

To join future activities of the Hope Happens Here campaign email norwich.cityofsanctuary@gmail.com to sign up for updates.

Or maybe you can share good news from your own organisation? It doesn’t have to be labelled ‘Million Acts of Hope’ to make a difference! There are some useful ideas for telling stories when you have limited time in this article.

To find out about more community events and campaigns to support the great work happening locally, keep an eye on future Empowering Communities newsletters, join the Voluntary Norfolk Network or head to Get InVOLved Norfolk.