25 Uplifting and Positive News Stories To Make Us Feel a Little better

Every Wednesday Dorset Eye will publish the latest 25 uplifting and positive news stories from across the UK (and beyond). If you have any, let us know the details, and we will add them in the following editions.

Community & Social Good

1. BookKind bookstore donates 10% of all sales to charity
   A new UK online book retailer, BookKind, has committed to giving 10% of its revenue to charities focused on literacy, the environment, and equality.
2. The Big Give raises £1.8 million for small UK charities
   In June 2025, The Big Give’s Small Charities Challenge raised nearly £2 million through match funding for grassroots organisations across the UK.
3. £8.1 million raised for environmental charities in one week
   The annual Earth Raise campaign (formerly Green Match Fund) raised over £8 million for climate and conservation charities.
4. Pilotlight coaching programme helps 160 charities
   Through the Weston Charity Awards 2025, small charities received £22,000 in leadership support and strategic guidance across the Midlands, North, and Wales.
5. Cardiff river clean-up sets world record
   Over 1,300 volunteers participated in a coordinated river clean-up in Cardiff, setting a new Guinness World Record while removing huge amounts of waste.
6. £17 million fund launched for green community initiatives
   The Social Investment Business introduced a new fund to help social enterprises tackle the climate crisis and improve local infrastructure.
7. Royal Foundation backs long-term homelessness solutions
   The Homewards initiative, launched by the Prince and Princess of Wales, has continued to provide lasting housing solutions in six UK pilot regions.

Environmental & Scientific Progress

8. UK carbon emissions fall to half of 1990 levels
   According to the Climate Change Committee, the UK has successfully reduced greenhouse gas emissions to around 50% of 1990 levels.
9. Tree planting in the UK reaches a 20-year high
   Government-supported woodland creation and peatland restoration efforts reached record levels, contributing to carbon capture and biodiversity.
10. Global ocean treaty nears ratification
    As of mid-2025, 50 countries, including the UK, have ratified the UN’s High Seas Treaty, aiming to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
11. New blood cancer treatment outperforms chemotherapy
    UK-led trials found that a combination of targeted drugs offers better survival and fewer side effects for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia patients.
12. Gene therapy trial restores hearing in children
    A clinical breakthrough saw deaf children successfully treated with gene therapy to restore hearing, a world first.
13. Ancient fungus discovered with cancer-fighting properties
    UK researchers found that a rare fungus has compounds that could be developed into new cancer treatments.
14. Youth-led rewilding projects expand across the UK
    Young people are restoring habitats at Scout centres, with funding from Rewilding Britain and other organisations.
15. UK startups win Earthshot Prize for environmental innovation
    British firms were recognised for their efforts in biodiversity monitoring and turning algae into sustainable animal feed.

Culture, Inspiration & Everyday Heroes

16. England Lionesses win UEFA Euro 2025
    The national women’s football team won the championship and inspired investment in girls’ grassroots sports programmes.
17. 30 young people under 30 honoured for social impact
    A national list celebrated young changemakers in health, education, sustainability, and the arts across Britain.
18. Efforts underway to reinstate the John Muir Award
    Environmental charities are campaigning to revive this popular programme that connects young people with nature.
19. Bee-friendly gardening campaign launched at RHS Chelsea
    A display at the Chelsea Flower Show educated thousands about protecting birds and pollinators through eco-gardening.
20. New materials developed to tackle plastic waste
    UK researchers are creating microbeads that dissolve safely and fabrics made from banana peels, highlighting eco-innovation.
21. UK surpasses 2,400 B Corp-certified businesses
    The growing B Corp movement in Britain is encouraging businesses to meet higher environmental and ethical standards.
22. Local man gains fame for cleaning dirty road signs
    A British man sparked a national trend after volunteering to scrub road signs in his area, inspiring local pride and civic care.
23. 10-year-old completes 268-mile charity walk
    A schoolgirl completed the Pennine Way trek, raising thousands of pounds for children in need.
24. Ukrainian refugee trains as firefighter in the UK
    A teenage boy who fled conflict now volunteers with the fire service in Britain, aiming to become a full-time firefighter.
25. Young man with Down syndrome earns medals in sport
    Marc, an athlete with Down syndrome, has won hundreds of medals and continues to inspire through his passion for fitness and MMA charity events.

Why These Stories Matter

• They reflect real, verified progress in charity, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and community spirit.
• Many show local action leading to national inspiration, as individuals and small groups effect real change.
• They offer balanced hope—from technological advances to renewable targets to acts of everyday kindness.

In a world in which parts of humanity are doing their best to destroy, we can find plenty to enthuse us.