STEP 1: FIND SOME STATIONERY

You will need a piece of paper and an envelope to create your Letter of Hope.

Feel free to get as creative as possible and use (or create) a card, and decorate your letter with stickers. Many people also like to include affirmation cards or other keepsakes in their Letter of Hope to make it extra special - and that is fine too!

STEP 2: WRITE YOUR LETTER

‘Dear Stranger’ or ‘Dear Friend’ are both great ways to start your letter.

Now what?

  • First of all, enjoy the process! It’s an opportunity to be mindful and really take some time out during your day.

  • Think about what would be helpful for you to read during a tough time. Have a think about a time that you have needed kind words and reassurance. If you could write a letter to yourself then, what would you say? Give some thought to some helpful things that have perhaps been said to you in the past when you needed them the most. What would you say if you found out your best friend, for example, was struggling with their mental health? Use these questions to guide you.

  • Keep a look out for words that resonate with you or inspire you. It might be a quote that you see on social media. Perhaps you see something that resonates with you in a book or on a TV show. Write those things down, or screenshot them, and go back to them when you are writing a letter.

  • Be mindful of toxic positivity. Toxic positivity is the belief that positive thinking or emotions are the only acceptable or moral response to any situation, even those that are negative, difficult, or tragic. It is the act of avoiding or denying someone’s negative emotions and it can be quite damaging because it may prevent emotional coping, processing, and acceptance, and actually be harmful to someone’s mental health and wellbeing as opposed to helpful. There is a difference between hopefulness and toxic positivity. Here are some helpful examples of toxic positivity and what you might say instead:

Through Letters of Hope, you can show people in their darkest hours that there is good in the world. And it all starts with a simple letter.

If you are an individual who would like to write a letter of hope to leave in your community, please follow the below steps.

If you are a group or organisation, head to our Group Volunteering Page to learn more.

Communities of Hope by Letters of Hope: Leave a Letter of Hope in your Community for a stranger to find!

STEP 3: INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES IN YOUR LETTER

Click the button below to download the Letters of Hope Helplines & Coping Strategies Letter Insert. If you don’t have access to a printer, please ensure that inside your letter you include the number for the Crisis Line in your country. You can head to our ‘Get Help’ page for a list of contact numbers.


STEP 4: SEAL YOUR LETTER OF HOPE INTO AN ENVELOPE

And write a message on the front of the envelope. There are some examples of what you could write below:

  • Take this letter if you are in need of some kind words.

  • Is the weight of the world weighing heavy on your shoulders right now? Take this letter.

  • Take this Letter of Hope if you are going through a tough time right now.

Be sure to write #LETTERSOFHOPE on your envelope somewhere so that those who find your letters can follow the Letters of Hope journey and share their photos.

STEP 5: HAND YOUR LETTER OF HOPE TO A STRANGER OR LEAVE IT IN YOUR COMMUNITY FOR SOMEONE TO FIND

You may wish to hand your Letter of Hope to someone in the community who you think is in need of kind words if you come across someone who seems to be struggling. Perhaps you can drop your letter into a charity or community group, or go into a local shop and ask if they can keep it on the counter for someone to take.

Alternatively, you can put the Letter of Hope somewhere in your community for someone to find. Perhaps a park bench, a footpath, on a tree, on a cafe table - get creative!

Don’t forget to take a photo of the letter you have left and share it using #LETTERSOFHOPE on social media.

Join the Communities of Hope Group on Facebook to share photos of your letter/s and connect with other wonderful human beings who are passionate about kindness. This is a space to share tips, inspiration, and generally connect!