Kew Gardens – A Million Acts of Hope Campaign

From Hotel to Kew Gardens

On May 19, Migrant Help took 20 adults and six children on a day trip to Kew Gardens, providing train tickets, packed lunches and entry to the gardens. The support was greatly appreciated by everyone who attended.

The day began at the hotel, where people gathered and learned about the plans ahead. One particularly memorable moment involved the distribution of “A Million Acts of Hope” stickers, which quickly became popular among attendees and served as a small but meaningful symbol of unity. Featuring messages such as “I Choose Hope” and “Hope Lives Here”, the stickers helped set a positive tone for the day.

Together, the group walked to the local Overground station, creating an opportunity for conversation and connection. People shared stories, spoke about their excitement for the day and reflected on their experiences. Many revealed that although they had been living in the same hotel for more than a year, they had never spoken to one another and rarely left the accommodation except for essential appointments.

As the journey unfolded, new friendships began to form. Not only did people build relationships with Migrant Help staff, they also connected with each other in ways that had not previously been possible.

Upon arriving at Kew Gardens, the group paused for a photograph before maps of the grounds were distributed. Throughout the day, everyone explored the gardens, admired the vast collection of plants and flowers, and enjoyed the peaceful surroundings.

Many commented that they had never visited a place like Kew Gardens before. For some, it was an opportunity to experience nature in a completely new way; for others, it was simply a chance to relax and enjoy time away from the challenges of daily life.

When it was time to return to the hotel, many were reluctant to leave, eager to continue exploring everything the gardens had to offer.

Everyone expressed their gratitude for the experience, sharing how much they had enjoyed the day. For Migrant Help staff, it was a privilege to witness so many smiles, hear laughter and see people from different backgrounds come together to create lasting memories.

The experience was a powerful reminder of the importance of connection and community. It also reinforced the sense of pride felt by staff in supporting people through periods of uncertainty and helping create moments of hope.

Partnering with Refugee Action Kingston 

For more than 30 years, Refugee Action Kingston has welcomed people seeking sanctuary in Kingston and across South West London.

On May 20, Migrant Help partnered with Refugee Action Kingston to organise a second visit to Kew Gardens. This time, more than 50 people took part.

The day began at Refugee Action Kingston’s headquarters, where attendees were welcomed, divided into groups and introduced to volunteer leaders. Packed lunches, bus passes and other essentials were distributed before the groups set off together.

Conversation flowed easily, excitement filled the air and spirits were high as participants embarked on the day’s adventure.

At Kew Gardens, attendees spent the day exploring the grounds at their own pace. A designated meeting point and lunchtime gathering allowed the groups to reconnect, share experiences and enjoy lunch together. With sunshine adding to the atmosphere, the day was filled with discovery, conversation and enjoyment.

As on the previous day, many participants were reluctant to leave when the trip came to an end, keen to spend more time exploring the gardens.

Reflecting on the impact of the visit, Refugee Action Kingston said:

“We know that some of the barriers to getting out to places like these include not knowing what is on offer, not wanting to go alone, and not being able to afford the travel cost. For our trip to Kew Gardens, we were able to help clients overcome these barriers for the day, and with financial support from Migrant Help through the Million Acts of Hope campaign, travel costs were covered.”