A Box of Hope: One Young Person’s Journey to Confidence and Creativity
- Southend YMCA
- Jun 23
- 2 min read

A 10-year-old young person embarked on a heartfelt and inspiring project: creating a Hope Box—a personal treasure chest filled with encouragement, positivity, and love from those who know them best.
With a design all their own, the young person decorated the box using materials provided to them, adding unique touches through colours, patterns, and drawings that made the box feel truly personal. But the magic didn’t stop there.
They reached out to friends at school and family at home—two of their most important environments—and asked them to write something kind or uplifting about them. Notes came flooding in: words of encouragement, stories of kindness, and reminders of strengths. Each message was carefully placed into the box, transforming it into a source of inspiration they could turn to whenever they needed a confidence boost.
This simple yet powerful activity does more than create a pretty box. A Hope Box helps young people build self-awareness, develop social and emotional skills, and strengthen their confidence. It’s also a creative outlet—blending art, reflection, and connection with others in a meaningful way.
By involving those around them, the young person not only learned more about themselves
but also saw how valued and appreciated they are. It’s a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the smallest gestures—like kind words and a homemade box—can have a lasting impact on a young person’s self-esteem and sense of belonging.
Want to try it? All you need are basic art supplies and a small box. From there, let the young person take the lead—encourage them to design it their way, then invite supportive people in their life to add thoughtful notes. The result? A box of hope, made with love.

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