Hope as a strategy

In her latest TFN column, our Chief Officer Sara Redmond shares her thoughts on hope being a much needed tool in building change that lasts.

“To be truly radical is to make hope possible rather than despair convincing.”

These words by socialist writer Raymond Williams are words to live by, especially for leaders of organisations trying to inspire change. Ultimately this sits at the heart of the ALLIANCE; inspiring hope to make change happen in a way that improves the wellbeing of people across Scotland. But it also poses its own challenges.

October is famously a month where we scare ourselves deliberately, the thrill of Halloween hanging in the air. But recent events across the UK are causing real fear and harm to the lives of many; the growth of the far-right movement, anti-immigration protests, and a growing mistrust in our democratic institutions. Just weeks ago, more than a hundred thousand gathered at Tommy Robinson’s so-called “Unite the Kingdom” rally – an anti-immigration march that spilled into clashes with police and counter-protesters. In towns and cities all over Scotland, demonstrations outside hotels housing asylum seekers have boiled over, with chants, confrontations, and anger directed at people who already carry the weight of displacement.

This movement is highly skilled in its use of media, not only using their platform to tailor messages to specific audiences but also reviving the oldest and most dangerous narrative; that our struggles can be blamed on another group in society

This dynamic of demonising the ‘outgroup’ is as old as time, and always just as harmful. In moments of uncertainty, fear becomes an easy political currency. Paint someone else as the threat, and suddenly anger has a target and blame has a home.

But hope is something we must hold onto. When surrounded by so much fear, hope might feel fragile, even foolish – but it is powerful. Without it, we allow the future to be surrendered to those who inspire hatred. To insist on hope is to not deny how dark things feel – but instead acknowledge, and act on it.

It feels unquestionable to say that we are living through very unpredictable and challenging times – geopolitically, economically, and culturally.

Yes, it’s necessary the third sector admits to the challenges and systemic barriers we face. But also, why alliances are so important; our existence allows light to be shone on the areas and ideas for improvement, without the responsibility being on individual organisations. Our recent joint statement on prevention is a perfect example of how we can do this and keep the idea of hope alive. The message could not be clearer; if we want to prevent the harm shortening lives and deepening despair, we need to confront root causes of poverty, exclusion, and inequality. Most importantly, we need to take an honest approach that recognises the state of our sectors.

Set against the noise of fear, this may feel quieter. But it is the kind of courage we need and hope to make lasting change possible.

Hope, then, is not just sentiment. It is strategy and a prevention. It is refusing to accept that division is inevitable and insisting instead on building the conditions where everyone has the chance not just to survive, but to live well.

This piece first appeared in the October edition of TFN Magazine.

End of page.