Greeting card retailer and publisher, Earlybird Designs has come up with a great way of lifting the spirits of those in the Stoke Newington community where its shop is based in London’s Hackney, with its Signs of Hope campaign.
Heidi Early, who co-owns the business with her husband Dominic, explained that despite the fact that the shop is closed, “we wanted to show the community we’re still here for them and give them a bit of cheer on their daily walks.”
While Earlybird has led the way, with a striking window display featuring the word ‘hope’ as well as colourful imagery, Heidi has encouraged other businesses as well as residents to join in with the campaign.
“We’ve got about 11 other businesses involved so far, and I am now really hoping it’s going to spill over into the community,” said Heidi.
To help spread the word, Heidi has set up a dedicated Facebook page #signsofhopeinhackney in which she explains the initiative, shares images from those involved so far as well as encouraging others to join in.
“We want to celebrate the creativeness of our community and have something positive to focus on and share in these bleak times,” says Heidi.
In a post on the Facebook page Heidi encourages everyone to get involved. ‘Whether it’s a window, a door, a front garden, a window box, get decorating. It’s doesn’t have to cost anything, use whatever you can find around the house, but make it as bright, happy, magical as you can, have some fun. And then share it here,’ wrote Heidi.
Heidi explains that the inspiration for the campaign came from an article she read in The Guardian that showed a village doing something similar: “Everyone loved last year’s rainbows so we thought this was a good refresh for 2021.”
A colourful mandrill is the design chosen by Earlybird to front its Signs of Hope campaign. The image is part of Earlybird’s newest collaboration with artist Emma Jayne and forms part of a colourful collection of cards featuring the beautiful and unusual aspects of nature in a kitsch way.
“We felt the mandrill was the perfect playful image to showcase our community project, where we’re asking everyone to decorate their windows to show hope and happiness,” explains Heidi.
The #signsofhopeinhackney campaign follows on from the Early’s #connectwithcards initiative they initiated at the start of lockdown last spring. This involved Heidi, Dom and their two children Oliver and Amelia delivering free cards (ready stamped) to all the residents in the two neighbouring streets of their home in Canterbury, Kent.
“We wanted to do something positive for our neighbourhood and get our children doing something that they would remember as having had a positive impact,” recalls Heidi.
When asked what she is most hoping to do once ‘this’ is all over, Heidi confessed to PG Buzz: “What am I most hoping to do? Go and see my great niece, Harper, who was born in December, and my other great nephew Stanley and great niece Ada, who have grown so much! Also go to our local pub, the Old Bev, with our friends and neighbours and go for a meal in our favourite local restaurant The Fordwich Arms.”
Top: The Location Location estate agents in Stoke Newington is supporting Heidi’s Hope initiative.
