OUR HISTORY

The Band of Hope

In 1847, a 72-year-old Irish Presbyterian lady was invited to Leeds to speak at a series of children’s meetings. Ann Jane Carlile was convinced that children suffered because of the ready availability of ‘strong drink’.

Ann met a young Baptist minister called Jabez Tunnicliffe, who had been shaken to the core by his experience of a dying alcoholic. Just before he died, the man had clutched at Tunnicliffe and made him promise to warn children about the dangers of drink.

Ann and Jabez decided to start a regular children’s meeting (a Band of Hope) in Leeds. It isn’t clear who thought of the name, but Ann is supposed to have said, “What a happy band these children make, they are the hope for the future.” The idea for regular children’s meetings spread and in 1855 The United Kingdom Band of Hope Union formed to support the local groups.

 

Fifty years later, in 1897, the Band of Hope numbered 3.5 million children and adults. Queen Victoria was its Jubilee patron, and it was part of the fabric of Victorian society and the Church.

In 1995, the UK Band of Hope changed its name to Hope UK – inheriting a 150-year tradition of putting children and young people first and encouraging them to ‘live life to the full’.

Further information about Hope UK’s history can be found in the History document.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Nov
14
Tue
11:30 am Your youth group and drugs – Int... @ Online event via Zoom
Your youth group and drugs – Int... @ Online event via Zoom
Nov 14 @ 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Your youth group and drugs - Introduction for youth workers @ Online event via Zoom
Introduction for youth workers wanting to know more about drugs in common use. This online workshop will help youth workers recognise commonly used drugs and know their effects and risks. It will look at relevant[...]
Dec
5
Tue
11:30 am Healthy Relationships – Tools yo... @ Online event via Zoom
Healthy Relationships – Tools yo... @ Online event via Zoom
Dec 5 @ 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Healthy Relationships - Tools youth workers can use in their work @ Online event via Zoom
Practical ideas for youth work, promoting healthy relationships This workshop will have ideas for youth workers to use in their work, to help young people think about what a healthy relationship looks like, and managing[...]
Jan
16
Tue
11:30 am Confidence and Self-Esteem – Way... @ Online event via Zoom
Confidence and Self-Esteem – Way... @ Online event via Zoom
Jan 16 @ 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Confidence and Self-Esteem - Ways to help your youth group @ Online event via Zoom
Ideas for youth workers to use in their role Ideas and tools youth workers can use to help young people develop self confidence. Participants will learn a variety of activities and will receive resources following[...]