The Joseph Rowntree Foundation and change maker Tayshan Hayden-Smith hosted the ‘Seeds of Hope’ campaign launch event in London, celebrating how community growing, and nature connection can inspire a brighter, more hopeful future.

‘Seeds of Hope’ celebrates UK communities countering fatalism and tackling mental health and food security through growing.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) launched Seeds of Hope: a celebration of the powerful role community growing, and nature connection projects can play in countering issues such as mental health, food security and climate change.

All of which hit the most vulnerable in society the hardest. According to JRF, one in five people in the UK live in poverty, making them disproportionately impacted by these intersecting challenges.

The campaign launches with new research revealing widespread anxiety about the future and yet a striking belief in the power of green spaces to inspire hope.

Sophia Parker, Director of Emerging Futures at Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: “In these challenging times, marginalised communities have shown remarkable resilience.

“Amid widespread feelings of anxiety about the future, these celebrations of amazing people and communities growing hope and building belief in better futures are exactly what we need right now.”

According to the research, only seven percent of UK adults feel more supported by the government than by their local communities.

In contrast, over a third (34%) of adults’ report feeling a stronger sense of support from those around them, with younger generations, particularly Gen Z, leading this sentiment (53%).

Seeds of Hope highlights how community growing, and nature connection initiatives are responding to this shift, with community-led events taking place across the UK - from Inverness to Hastings, Liverpool, Derby, Powys, Bristol and beyond.

Tayshan Hayden Smith, founder of Grow to Know and Seeds of Hope launch event host, said: “Community is at the crux of any flourishing society and ecosystem. Understanding one another should be seen as an opportunity for creativity, kindness, and connection - whether that’s on mental health, climate action or food security.”

The research also points to a growing demand for investment in green spaces, with 61% of UK adults wanting to see more local initiatives that address the environment and mental wellbeing. This sentiment is strongest among younger generations.

As interest for local, sustainable solutions grows, 31% of adults express a desire in participating in community gardening projects to grow their own food. Additionally, 52% would join if these projects could address broader societal issues such as climate change and food security - a feeling shared by an overwhelming 74% of Gen Z.

Some of the events taking place include:

Re: Imagine Derby, 21 September, Derby   

Equinox Weekender with Squash and Andi Oliver, 21-22 Sep, Liverpool  

Grow & Gather, throughout September, N Yorkshire  

Save Soanes, throughout September and beyond, London.

Hopeful Highlands, 28 September, Inverness  

We Are A Sea, 28-29 September, Hastings

Harvest Supper, 4 October, Powys   

For more information on the Seeds of Hope campaign and to discover local events near you, visit http://bit.ly/seedsofhopemap