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From neighbourhood clean-ups to supporting a community broken by crime and poverty, Christians in Birmingham are coming together to try and help.

Hope 2008 is a major campaign that will unite churches across all denominations working together with community organisations, the police and local authorities with an aim to transform their local neighbourhoods and communities.

Hope '08 - Aston Churches Together

Faith in Action

The year long project will see hundreds of volunteers embarking on social action projects.

There will be school and university mission activities, park and public space clean-ups, charity events, family fun days, open air events and more…

Transforming lives and communities

Hope intends to address community issues such as poverty, homelessness, drug and alcohol addictions.

Social action projects

A spokesman for Hope '08 said: “There are lots of projects already planned and more will be set up as the year goes on.

"We want to demonstrate faith in action and the love of God and show that our faith is one of love and care for the people in our communities.”

Public space clean-ups

One million hours of kindness

One of the challenges for Hope '08 is to get Christians all over the country joining together to give one million hours of kindness in the form of practical help to their communities.

Every church will help reach the target and are being encouraged do something in kindness. So far, some churches have agreed to donate blood, while others are handing out chocolates in the street just to make people smile.

Hope '08 Birmingham events

From family fun days to community outreach clean-ups and open air events, visit the Hope '08 Birmingham website to find out what’s happening your local area and add your own events.

Hope '08 - Aston Churches Together

Get involved with Hope 2008

Hope is intending to be a catalyst for local churches to take the initiative and begin their own local projects, hold meetings and make plans to engage with their local communities and work together.

If you would like to get your local church involved with Hope '08 visit the website below for loads more information, resources outreach ideas and more…

Tell us about YOUR Hope '08

Throughout the year there will be loads of stories, events and projects happening across the city and surrounding areas.

We want to know about YOUR Hope '08 events - send us your photos, stories and experiences and we will add them as features to the BBC Birmingham website.

Email: birmingham@bbc.co.uk