A Journey of Hope

Hope the Hedgehog 

This year, Hope the Hedgehog - the giant puppet project - has sparked creativity, environmental awareness, and uplifting community engagement across Rotherham. 

Led by Artful: Make it Happen and supported by a project grant from Arts Council England, this initiative co-created a giant, touring climate mascot through a unique collaboration of artists, community members, and cultural organisations. 

Bringing Hope to Life 

The journey began with a masterclass led by Andrew Kim of Thingumajig Theatre, where 12 experienced and emerging artists from the UK and beyond — including participants from South Yorkshire, Spain, and Switzerland — gathered to develop puppetry and creative skills. Using upcycled textiles, sculpture techniques, and puppet mechanics, they crafted Hope the Hedgehog and sprinkled some magic to bring her to life. 

Hope's design features luggage-tag leaves on her back, inviting community members to write their 'Hopes for the Future.' These heartfelt messages travel with Hope wherever she goes, transforming her into a living emblem of collective aspiration. 

Community Impact 

Hope’s tour reached key festivals and events across the year, including the Rotherham Show, Wath, Burngreave and Ferham festivals. In every location, Hope drew diverse audiences and inspired conversations about environmental responsibility and created a positive buzz around future aspirations for the many communities she and the team visited. 

Hope visited Canklow, Eastwood, Ferham and Wath, with a last-minute addition of Pitsmoor in Sheffield. Across six events, she interacted with an estimated 58,340 live audience members, surpassing the projected figure of 53,700. Each event offered interactive performances with music and storytelling, connecting people of all ages to the urgent need for climate action. 

Partnerships and Collaboration 

Collaboration was central to the project’s success. Key partners included Casting Innovations, Clifton Park Museum, Rotherham Council, and the Pitsmoor community. These partnerships enabled Hope’s mission to expand, creating a network of support that linked cultural and environmental organisations in a way that was playful and accessible to every member of the community no matter the age or status. 

Project Milestones and Learnings 

The project also provided professional development for participating artists, with training in puppet mechanics, textiles, and public performance. This training equipped them to create their own projects and pursue new artistic ventures. One participant shared, "This has been a transformative experience — I’m already working on a new puppet-based project inspired by Hope’s journey." 

Hope for the Future 

The project didn’t just create a puppet; it built capacity within the local arts scene. A developing producer emerged from the process, gaining experience in event management and creative production. This legacy ensures that Hope's story will continue, with future tours and new creative initiatives already being planned. 

Hope the Hedgehog has proven that art can inspire change, one step and one community at a time. By carrying the hopes of a region on her back, she reminds us all that a sustainable future is a shared creation — built by individuals, nurtured through collaboration, and powered by hope.