Nathan Atkinson

My story of hopefulness is... juli Thompson They inspire me because... their commitment to working to support people living food insecure lives is incredible. Juli is an inspirational individual, who amongst other things set up the food savers network FoodSavers Network – Food for health not wealth a programme that helps people eat and save money at the same time. juli goes above and beyond and is an incredible person.

My story of hopefulness is Canal Connections CIC in Leeds. Located on the banks of the River Aire, Canal Connections is a beacon of hope, a hub of community, and a catalyst for change. The passion and commitment of Peter Forrest and the team is incredible, they're not just running programmes; they're changing lives. The location of their work is truly something special, from the inviting atmosphere of their building to the tranquillity of the boats on the river, the place is amazing.

Patagonia is my hopeful story as a great example of what I would deem community that happened also to be a business. They have invested in employees, and made those employees feel valued with a sense of purpose and then done the same with their customers who again I don't think want to be known as customers but a part of the Patagonia community. They self impose an earth tax of 1% for the planet and they champion and defend land and water across the globe. So, something that started off to make a difference and add value to somebody's hobby is now a huge force for good in the world.