A point ‘n’ click adventure and sequel to Call Of The Sea is one of the month’s best indie games, if you have the patience for its old school puzzles.

Call Of The Elder Gods occupies a totally distinct niche in the gaming world – no mean feat, considering how many of them are published every year. But then again, how many other Lovecraftian narrative puzzle adventures are out there? Only one, given that this title is a direct sequel to 2020’s excellent Call Of The Sea.

In that, we were first introduced to Norah (a wonderfully wry Cissy Jones), a woman suffering from a mysterious disease and tracking down her missing husband, Harry, on a remote Polynesian island in the 1930s.

In Call Of The Elder Gods, we’re reunited with her once more. Although she’s technically dead (that or transformed into a fish person, depending on the first game’s two endings), she becomes the narrator, watching over the two protagonists as they attempt to unravel another mystery in one of many interesting meta touches.

Our new hero is Evangeline Drayton, a student at Miskatonic University in the 1950s. She’s searching for answers about why she inexplicably lost her memory for three months and that search leads her to a much older Harry Everhart, a grouchy professor who lives alone in his massive, draughty Gothic mansion.

Naturally, Harry is hiding a compelling backstory of his own (which will be familiar to players of the first game) and as the two dive deep into the world of the Elder Gods, they’ll unearth more secrets – about the Yith race, the history of the Earth, and even Evangeline herself.

Similarly to its predecessor, Call Of The Elder Gods draws directly from the work of H. P. Lovecraft, the 1920s sci-fi author whose work gave us the tentacled monster Cthulhu, as well as the book The Shadow Out of Time, which forms the basis of the plot for this.

The scope is broader here than Call Of The Sea, and the storytelling more ambitious – although it steers clear of true Lovecraftian horror, instead embracing the more dreamlike elements of Lovecraft’s work: alien races, forgotten worlds, and flying saucers.

Rather than Norah and Harry, the burgeoning relationship between Harry and Evangeline forms the meat of the action here, with players able to switch between characters at points in the game to solve its puzzles, as well as dive into their shared history as the game goes on.

And what puzzles. Be warned: this is not a title for the faint of heart, or short of attention span. The levels are lovingly crafted, and each one forms a complex escape room with multiple layers of clues to find and mysteries to solve.

It demands your complete attention – whether that’s figuring out how to open Harry’s greenhouse, donning a diving suit to wander around some gorgeous underwater caves, or stumbling across an old Nazi base in the middle of the Norwegian tundra (‘I’m not sure which I hate more, kooks or Nazis,’ Harry complains at one point). Each level feels distinct, and each feels gorgeously designed, with its 1930s style graphics, haunting score and hundreds of small objects to pick up and comment on.

Fortunately, there’s no sense of urgency (as if to illustrate this, all the characters move at a snail’s pace throughout the game). None of the puzzles are timed and there’s no countdown clock.

Call Of The Elder Gods gives you as much space as you need to figure out the answers on your own, which is good, because while trekking around these levels looking for clues can be surprisingly meditative, they’re also challenging. Dust off that GCSE Maths knowledge; it will be needed. On the flipside, every breakthrough and puzzle solved feels genuinely rewarding.

Fortunately, developers Out of the Blue Games know this. There are two different difficulty option, one of which involves a handy notebook that automatically logs clues as the player finds them and provides hints about where to look next.

The other features no notebook or clues, which is a fiendishly difficult playing experience. Thank goodness, then, for the ‘hints’ section, which provides some much-needed guidance for those who get stuck.

As events build to their conclusion, the narrative stumbles somewhat, ladling in Nazis, secret cults, and forgotten alien races until the whole structure begins to creak, but that doesn’t really matter. The game’s key strength are its puzzles, and on this, it delivers solidly. For old school graphic adventure fans, it’s a mystical treat. For everybody else… well, there’s always the hints section.

Formats: PlayStation 5 (reviewed), Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC
Price: £19.99
Publisher: Kwalee
Developer: Out of the Blue Games
Release Date: 12th May 2026
Age Rating: 12

Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter.

To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.

For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.

MORE: Resident Evil Requiem had a merchant and side missions before they were cut

MORE: Forza Horizon 6 player banned for 7,973 years after playing cracked version

MORE: Directive 8020 review – Until Dawn in space

Richard Ayling, 40, tragically died in hospital after falling several floors from a bar in Birmingham city centre – he has been described as ‘above all else a family man’

Tributes have poured in for a newly-wed dad who fell to his death from a roof-top bar.

Richard Ayling, 40, tragically died in hospital after falling several floors from Herman and Cooper in Birmingham city centre on May, 3. Mr Ayling died one day later at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, surrounded by his devastated family.

An inquest into the ex-serviceman’s death has opened this week. Opening the inquest at Birmingham Coroner’s Court, the coroner described his death as “violent and unnatural”. The hearing was adjourned until August 10

The venue of the said on Tuesday, May 5 that it was ‘deeply saddened’ by the incident, which it confirmed happened on its premises.

“Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with their family and friends at this incredibly difficult time,” it said.

Mr Ayling, a maintenance engineer originally from Germany, lived in Newhall near Swadlincote, Derbyshire, with wife Amy.

Advertisement

Heartfelt tributes have since poured in for the dad-of-three and a GoFundMe page set up to support his family. The page described his death as a “sudden and devastating loss”.

“His loss has left a hole in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”

“Richard was, above all else, a family man.”

The fundraiser said that Mr Ayling had recently married his “beloved wife Amy”. The couple were building a life with their three children Ronnie, Ellie and Logan.

“He was a proud and devoted dad, and his love for his family was at the centre of everything he did,” the tribute continued.

“Richard dedicated himself to serving and protecting others.”

Mr Ayling has over 20 years of experience in the rail industry and also worked as a part-time firefighter, where “he gave his time and courage to keep his community safe.”

The tribute added: “He was the kind of person who showed up for others, whether on the job or in everyday life.”

The fundraiser, launched by Duncan Watson, will be used to support Amy and the children during this difficult time, with funds going towards funeral costs. Any additional contributions raised will go towards something lasting in Mr Ayling’s honour, such as a plaque or bench.

At the time of writing, more than £14,750 had been donated you can donate to the GoFundMe by clicking here.

The Tuesday letters page hopes the rumours about a FromSoftware pirate game are true, as a reader predicts the GTA 6 Trailer 3 reveal will be today.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Nintendo people
Very interesting comments from Nintendo’s big boss, about the price rise and lack of games. Well, he didn’t exactly say a lack of games, but I think we all know what’s what he was getting at. I don’t think any reasonable person could blame Nintendo, or Sony or Microsoft, for price rises, as they don’t want to and it’s not their fault about the memory crisis.

But the question of whether the lack of news this year for the Switch 2 is on purpose or not is a hard one to answer. My interpretation is that it is a mistake, in that they did want to unveil stuff earlier but felt they couldn’t. I don’t really know why they wouldn’t be able to do a quick trailer or something, even it was CGI, but who knows what goes on in the heads of Nintendo people.

I think the most optimistic reading of what he was saying is that he acknowledges they’ve not had a very exciting 2026 so far (although they’ll hardly be upset with Pokémon Pokopia and Tomodachi Life) but they’re going to do better, presumably starting in June.

I’d love if the Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake is real, I’m sure most people would be to, but what I want to see is a major new franchise. You could argue that’s Pokopia and the new Yoshi game, but I mean completely new characters and gameplay, like they did with Splatoon and ARMS.

Knowing that they’re the only big new games they’ve made in the last three generations is a bit underwhelming and I’d like to see them do better.
Zeiss

The usual suspects
Very disappointed to see your review of Directive 8020 as I was looking forward to that. I like Supermassive’s interactive movies, but I can see on Metacritic that your score seems to be in line with the more reliable sites, so that’s a shame.

Although once again I am staggered at some of the other scores going on here. Everyone sensible seems to have given it between 50 and 70 and yet it’s got two 95s from sites I’ve never heard of and four 90s. Now, everyone has an opinion but every time a game gets reviewed we have this happen where the good sites give a sensible score and the weird ones you’ve never heard of… don’t.

I’m not going to name names, because we can all see them, but what fascinates me is who is reading these reviews? Who goes to a website where every time they give everything 90 or more? I know people like to hear what they want to sometimes but surely there’s a limit?
Rostie

Of mice and men
I am one of the people currently saving up for a PlayStation 6. Never saved up for a console before as I didn’t need to. However, since the PlayStation 5 released I’m now a father and also hoping to move house in the near future, so I thought I better start putting a little money away each week to give myself the option of buying one when the time comes.

When I started saving this time last year I also thought if I didn’t want a PlayStation 6 I could maybe invest in getting a PC to play games instead. Well that seems even more unrealistic than the PlayStation 6 now, unfortunately.
Niall Maguire

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Cashing in
Well, Floodbourne is just too good to be true, isn’t it?

A pirate themed Suls game from the original wizards is a project that just hadn’t crossed my imagination, but, now it has, pressgang me and toss me in the hold until launch day.

Something that riffs on the grotesque of the Pirates of the Caribbean series would hold up quite well, I feel.

I’ve never asked for any Inbox magic before, so I’ll use up my token now (unless you count the time travelling dinosaur hunting/harvesting remake of 2000 AD’s Flesh, but that didn’t work).
Shambling Reg

Don’t miss Gaming news! Add us as a Preferred Source

As a loyal GameCentral reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for gaming stories. We have all the latest video games news, reviews, previews, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.

Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.

Add us as a Preferred Source

Advertisement

First draft
I’m beginning to wonder if Capcom would ever make a director’s cut of Resident Evil Requiem. I know all games probably have lots of cut content but with this one you can tell just by playing it, with the changing plots and the rushed ending, that they changed a lot of things.

I’m not too bothered about whether there was a merchant in it or not (although side missions seem cool) but I would love to see what the story was going to be originally and why they changed it. I think the problem is that they were basically going to have another game with Ethan Winters and when they changed that everything else got mixed up, but I’m very interested in what the ending was going to be in particular.

It’s probably not very likely but I’d much rather see that than a remake of Resident Evil 6. Or even Resident Evil 0, if I’m honest. That game sucked.
Shubber

Expensive itch
I recently got Borderlands 4, including the Vault Hunter and Bounty Hunter packs. And whilst all of that wasn’t cheap, I have to say the game is really fun to play and scratching the itch I had after spending several thousand hours on Destiny 1 and 2.

I also like the fact I can do all the content single-player – I kind of had enough on Destiny needing to find random people to play with for dungeons and raids – often the time and stress of that negated the fun of the actual activities.

I have also really liked some of the missions/characters. Some have been genuinely amusing (the rocket with an existential need to explode for example).

The build crafting and diversity is also great!

So overall, just wanted to commend the team. Actually much better than I thought!
Tom

Early access
There seems to be a lot of mistakes lately with companies uploading early versions of games and allowing people to play them before they were supposed. I don’t feel the Forza Horizon 6 ban was really justified, given it was Microsoft’s fault for making the files available.

Obviously, it’s going to be very easy for him to get around the ban but then there was also the stuff about uploading Lego Batman before they were supposed to. Is this going to become the new version of finding a friendly local video game shop to sell you a copy early?

ShopTo used to do that when they sent out games through the post. Not sure if they even sell physical games anymore though, that can’t be much of a racket nowadays.
Wotan

Ultimate combo
I’m not doing it personally, but I would assume a lot of people are currently saving up for a PlayStation 6, at least vaguely in terms of having a bit of a gaming nest egg ready for next Christmas, when it may or may not all kick off.

But if Sony are worried about PlayStation 5 sales trailing off at the moment, because of its age, surely it’s going to go through the roof when GTA 6 comes out? They’re already trying to get people to upgrade but there’s going to be so many that never had a PlayStation 5 before, some that did but sold it, and probably a good number of ultra casual gamers who haven’t owned a console in ages.

Considering how many people are going to buy one just to play GTA 6 it makes even less sense to me, to expect people to buy an expensive PlayStation 6 the next year. Now, hardcore fans won’t mind, and maybe that’s not when it’s coming out now anyway, but the sort of casual person that’s only now buying a console isn’t going to rush out and get another one straight after.

I guess it’s different audiences, and the same sort of thing did happen with GTA 5, which came out right at the end of the Xbox 360, but if you’ve got a problem with keeping costs low and getting people interested I would’ve thought coasting on the PlayStation 5 and GTA 6 combo for a few years would be a good idea.
Trancer

Inbox also-rans
Just in case anyone wanted to feel old but this week is the 20th anniversary of the unveiling of the Wii, before it was released the next year. Doesn’t time fly?
Onibee

Just to let everyone know but the current rumour amongst the accounts I’m reading is that the GTA 6 Trailer 3 is going to be released today. I guess we’ll see but it’s got to be sometime soon…
Heathcliffe

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

MORE: Games Inbox: Are you saving up for the PS6?

MORE: Games Inbox: Would you pay over £80 for GTA 6?

MORE: Games Inbox: Is the Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake rumour true?

The Prime Minister is facing calls for him to stand down

Four Government aides have resigned and more than 60 backbench MPs have called on the Prime Minister to quit following Labour’s heavy defeats in the local elections.

Below is a list of Labour officials who have called for Sir Keir Starmer to go or given up their position in Government:

Joe Morris

A parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Mr Morris was among the first to resign their position, calling on Sir Keir to set out a “swift timetable” to step aside. In a message posted on social media, the MP for Hexham, Northumberland, wrote: “The message from last week’s elections was clear: the Prime Minister has lost the confidence of the public.”

He added: “It is in the best interests of the country and the party that the Prime Minister sets out a swift timetable to ensure that a new leader is in place to regain the confidence of the public and to ensure that the government can deliver on the commitments it has made.”

Mr Streeting has widely been seen as a potential successor to the Prime Minister – with his allies pointing to results in his local authority, Redbridge, to show that he can retain the Westminster seat he holds with a majority of just 528.

Tom Rutland

Mr Rutland resigned as PPS to Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds, saying the Prime Minister had “lost authority” and “will not be able to regain it”.

In his statement posted on social media, the MP for East Worthing and Shoreham said: “It is with regret that I believe the Prime Minister should now set out a timetable for his departure and for a new leader to be chosen to lead the Labour Party and the country.”

Mr Rutland added: “It is clear to me that the Prime Minister has lost authority not just within the Parliamentary Labour Party but across the country and that he will not be able to regain it.”

Melanie Ward

The MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy in Scotland, Ms Ward resigned from her position as PPS to Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy – saying Sir Keir had “lost the confidence of the public”.

In a statement on X, Ms Ward said: “So many of my constituents told me that they could not vote Labour as long as Keir Starmer remains Prime Minister.”

She added: “Keir Starmer did important work to change the Labour Party, and governing in a time like this will never be easy.“But the message from last week’s elections was clear; the Prime Minister has lost the confidence of the public”. Mr Lammy previously rallied around the Prime Minister to defend his premiership, saying his “mandate” must be delivered.

Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source.

Naushabah Khan

Ms Khan, the MP for Gillingham and Rainham, resigned from her position as PPS to the Cabinet Office – calling for “new leadership”.In a statement on X, Ms Khan said: “The message from last week’s elections was clear: the Prime Minister has lost the confidence of the public.”

She added: “We need a clear change of direction now and no game playing. A Labour Government can and will rise to meet the moment if we act now.

“I am calling for new leadership, so that we can rebuild trust and deliver the better future that the British people voted for.”

Catherine West

Ms West previously said she would challenge Sir Keir for the party leadership as early as Monday afternoon, in an attempt to force the Cabinet to put forward a replacement as prime minister.

The MP for Hornsey and Friern Barnet withdrew threats to imminently launch a leadership challenge ahead of the Prime Minister’s speech on Monday, but went on to write a letter urging him to step aside that was signed by 80 MPs, PA understands. Backbench MPs

A growing number of backbench MPs have called for Sir Keir to resign as Prime Minister, including Richard Burgon, John McDonnell and Sally Jameson, an aide to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

Ms Jameson, MP for Doncaster Central, said Sir Keir “is a man of deep integrity” but said she now feels he should “set out a clear timetable for his departure in September or shortly after”.

More than 60 backbench MPs had publicly called for the Prime Minister to resign by Monday evening.

Outdoor experts at GO Outdoors ranked it second in their latest national list, just behind the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

The ranking was based on search volume, Google reviews, and overall popularity, highlighting the cathedral’s appeal as a top day out.

Natalie Wolfenden, author and outdoor expert at GO Outdoors, said: “The UK has an abundance of places to visit and activities to take part in.

“From walks in the Lake District to heritage sites, there is plenty on offer—and lots to do for free.”

It is not the first time in recent weeks the cathedral has ranked highly in a survey – it was noted as being better than Notre Dame.

Durham Cathedral, part of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, welcomed more than 390,000 visitors in 2025.

(Image: UGC)

The historic building, known for its Romanesque architecture and rich history, is also famous for its appearance in the first two Harry Potter films.

The cathedral is open to visitors and also features a café and gift shop, making it a popular stop for tourists and locals alike.

Other attractions in the top 10 included Manchester Museum, Windsor Great Park, and the Imperial War Museum London.

Further down the list were Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, Glasgow Cathedral, and the Museum of Liverpool.

Ms Wolfenden said visitors planning a day out should be prepared for changing conditions.

She said: “If you are visiting an outdoor attraction, such as the National Memorial Arboretum, I would recommend packing for all weather conditions.

“A lightweight waterproof jacket and a pair of well-fitting shoes can make all the difference.”

Two local institutions are set for a major redevelopment as part of new student accommodation proposals in South Belfast.

GRAHAM Investment Projects and the Mooney Hotel Group are working in partnership to deliver “game-changing” campus living for students at the heart of the Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) quarter.

The plans will transform the former Wellington Park Hotel site into a purpose-built, professionally managed student accommodation development.

The neighbouring Botanic Inn will continue to exist as part of the wider redevelopment – proposals remain conceptual at this stage but ‘The Bot’ is set to be reimagined and modernised with “vibrant amenity and recreation space to reflect changing social habits”.

The scheme will also feature internal and external amenity areas and substantial courtyard gardens for student residents who will live just a short walk from the location of their classes and lectures.

Commenting on the plans, GIP managing director, John McDonald, said: “This site is the perfect location for students of Queen’s University. Our plans will provide game-changing campus living, allowing them to enjoy convenience, comfort and security that will enhance their overall student experience.

“This will be further strengthened through our proposed partnership with Homes for Students, the UK’s largest independent student accommodation provider. The decision to enter the Northern Ireland market for the first time reflects their confidence in both the location and the quality of our proposals.

“Homes for Students’ involvement is a significant advantage for residents, who will benefit from exceptional on-site management and service standards. Importantly, the expectations they place on students have consistently improved student conduct elsewhere. This approach will help to grow positive relationships with neighbouring communities.”

The developers have said that the addition of this purpose-built managed student accommodation in this part of South Belfast will also reduce pressure on the local housing supply, with independent estimates suggesting that the development could free up to 150 homes, housing 360 new residents as a result.

Mr McDonald added: “Primarily the proposed development will offer significant benefits to Queen’s students. But it will also deliver a much wider impact for the local area.

“It will activate and animate the Malone Road through new ground floor retail offerings, for example. On a more strategic level, Belfast is facing a severe housing shortage. This development has the potential to ease pressure on the private rented sector by freeing up existing homes and enabling new residents to be accommodated in South Belfast.”

New lease of life for Wellington Park Hotel

The Wellington Park has been welcoming visitors through its doors since 1955 – the next cohort of visitors will now change from tourists to students.

Felix Mooney, representing the Mooney Hotel Group, which owns both businesses, recognises the legacy and rich history of the Wellington Park Hotel and The Bot. He stressed the changing nature of hospitality in this part of the city as the primary reason to support the redevelopment plans.

He said: “The Wellington Park Hotel and the Botanic Inn are synonymous with Belfast hospitality. We are immensely proud of what the Wellington Park Hotel has achieved over the past 75 years and are deeply grateful to our employees, customers, partners, and the community for their unwavering support.

“As a Group, we believe now is the time to commence the evolution of the site. The hospitality sector has changed, with a greater emphasis on visitors to the city centre.

“However, there is no better location in the city that Wellington Park for Queen’s students in terms of proximity and convenience. And, we are confident that our conceptual plans for the Botanic Inn will not just complement students but will reinvigorate this part of the Malone Road again. We see this as a new chapter for the site and are keen to ensure the local community is part of that evolution.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What’s On newsletter

The cruise was unexpectedly cancelled after guests had already boarded due to a mechanical fault

Passengers onboard a major Disney cruise were forced to disembark just 24 hours into their voyage following the discovery of a technical malfunction.

The Disney Adventure sailing, scheduled to depart from Singapore on May 7, was abruptly scrapped after passengers had already embarked, prompting officials to request their disembarkation.

According to a post on Reddit, travellers were initially informed they would be able to “set sail soon”.

The user recounted: “Midnight now. We’ve been waiting here since 2 p.m., and they have no update for us. What’s even worse is they’ve shut down all kitchens, coffee, etc. Why would they do that?”

Those affected received a complete refund, a 50% discount on a subsequent voyage, complimentary overnight accommodation for May 7, reimbursement for hotel and flight modifications, and up to $500 compensation for additional expenses.

A Disney spokesperson informed USA Today: “We completely understand this was an unfortunate situation for our guests and worked with them directly to support their travel needs, help make their trip home as smooth as possible and invite them back to a future sailing.”

Following repairs to address the technical fault, the Adventure cruise successfully embarked on its next scheduled departure on May 11, reports the Express.

The vessel, which represents the biggest addition to Disney Cruise Line’s fleet and marks the company’s inaugural homeporting in Asia, commenced operations this March.

The ship provides three- to four-night voyages showcasing seven distinct themed zones celebrating Disney, Pixar, and Marvel narratives, complete with Broadway-calibre productions and oceanic firework displays. From mid-2026 onwards, a three-night voyage aboard the Disney Adventure departing from Singapore typically costs between $958 and $1,396 for two adults sharing an inside cabin.

Ensure our latest news and sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source.

More than 350 communities will host events across the UK to launch A Million Acts of Hope — a week of action to counter hate and division and celebrate hope and unity.

Groups of people all over the UK will be standing together in solidarity against hate this week.

More than 350 communities across the UK are staging hundreds of events this week in a nationwide pushback against rising division, including turning skate parks and shopping centres into “public living rooms.”

From disco dances to plant swaps, arts sessions to shared meals, thousands of people are taking part in A Million Acts of Hope, a week of action running from May 13–20 aimed at celebrating unity and everyday kindness.

The campaign launches as a new survey of 4,144 people, conducted by FocalData between 21 and 24 April 2026, reveals that nearly two thirds (65%) of Brits say their local community is peaceful and friendly — despite headlines often suggesting the country is deeply divided.

READ MORE: My act of hope helping kids is just one of a million. Let’s do this togetherREAD MORE: ‘Hunger doesn’t stop at 11!’ Call for free breakfast for teenagers as UK feels the pinch

In Swindon, more than 25 events are planned across the week. They include fully furnished living rooms set up in outdoor spaces across the town and complete with sofas, coffee tables, plants, and board games.

The pop-up lounges will appear in a skate park, a community garden, a park, and even inside the shopping centre, inviting passers-by to sit down with strangers and share a cup of tea.

Terry Johnson, Inclusion, Collaboration and Community Development Manager for Voluntary Action Swindon, said the idea is simple but powerful.

“Too often we hear that our communities are divided. But that’s not my experience of living and working in Swindon,” he said. “I know there are loads of really good things happening here, despite what we’re being told. That’s why I wanted to get behind this campaign — to show the very real connections and comradery that happen every day.”

He added that anyone can “just turn up” and join in. “Connecting over a cup of tea may seem small but it is a significant and important act of hope,” he said. “I’m looking forward to hearing about all the friendships and support that grow here through the week of action, because I know there is more that unites us than divides us.”

Across the country, other events include intergenerational dance parties, community art sessions and food-sharing events celebrating different cultures.

Advertisement

The campaign is backed by more than 200 charities, including homelessness charity Crisis, learning disability charity Mencap, food bank network Trussell and refugee support coalition Together With Refugees.

“In my work and across our communities, I see people stepping up to welcome others every day, opening their homes, volunteering their time, and speaking out in support of refugees,” said Jehangir Malik, Interim Director of Together With Refugees. “We know that division and hate do not represent who we are, either as communities or as a country. Yet too often, these acts of compassion go unseen, making it easier for the rhetoric of hate to take hold.”

Malik added that now is the time to focus on what unites us — to find common ground and “shine a light on the millions of small but meaningful acts of solidarity and hope happening in every community, in every corner of the country, every day.”

Advertisement

Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “The voices of hate and division can be loud and give the impression that Britain is hopelessly fractured. But working at Crisis and in the homelessness sector, that’s not what I see. I see kind and committed people in communities up and down the country looking out for each other.

“From the small actions — stopping for a chat or offering a hot drink to someone who is homeless — to the hundreds of people who give up their Christmases to help run some of our services,” he said. “It can be hard to be hopeful in changing and uncertain times and when day-to-day living costs continue to rise. Despite these pressures, there are so many quiet acts of kindness and resilience to celebrate and give us reason to be optimistic — and that’s what A Million Acts of Hope is all about.”

Polly Jones, Director of Communities at Trussell, said food banks see community spirit daily. “Every single day, we see people showing up for one another — donating, volunteering and standing alongside their neighbours when it matters most,” she said.

Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive of learning disability charity Mencap, said inclusion “is built through action, not words alone.” “Across the country today, we see acts of hope that reflect our history and point to the future we’re still building,” he said.

“From community dance classes to volunteering friendships and shared community spaces, actions may seem small, but they can help transform lives. When we choose hope over hate, we create communities where people with a learning disability are seen, heard and valued.”

Organisers say more than 60,000 people have already signed what they describe as the UK’s biggest ever “thank you card,” recognising the people who brighten their communities. Anyone looking to support can find out more at millionactsofhope.org.